Explains how to prepare a wet mount slide, use stains to examine the features of plant and animal cells, and calculate magnification, field to view and scale. Examines the growth, division, and differentiation of cells.
Subjects: Biology
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Solar Energy in the Biosphere
Students explore the effects of light energy on matter and find evidence that light causes chemical reactions in plants. This leads to a discussion of the importance of solar energy in sustaining life and driving weather systems.
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Producers Capture Solar Energy
Explains how energy flow through the biosphere is facililtated by different types of organisms — producers, consumers and decomposers.
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Energy Converters
A weight room setting demonstrates how energy must be converted for activity and life functions to occur. A sports physiologist and an athlete examine energy efficiency and a hibernation expert discusses cellular respiration in hibernating animals.
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Transcription of DNA to Messenger RNA
Uses animation and demonstrations to show how DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA. Reveals the structure of messenger RNA and its constituent codons. Explores the various roles of messenger RNA and its importance in embryonic development.
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Translation and Protein Synthesis
Illustrates how coded genetic information in DNA is transcribed into proteins in cytoplasm. Introduces the process of transcription and examines the specific function of proteins produced in the body. Explains which foods provide essential amino acids.
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Genes, Mutations and Viruses
Describes different types of mutations in genes and how they are inherited. Uses sickle cell anemia as an example of a mutation that occurs in certain human populations. Examines the effects of environmental mutagens on cells and how viruses change DNA.
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Manipulating DNA
Demonstrates how restriction enzymes and gel electrophoresis are used to manipulate DNA in genetic engineering experiments. Simulates bacterial transformation and explores gene therapy as a potential treatment for people with cystic fibrosis.
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Molecular Genetics and the Human Genome Project
Outlines the Human Genome project, its parameters and potential impacts. Uses models to demonstrate the complexity of gene mapping and the process for isolating genes.
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The Hardy-Weinberg Principle
Presents the Hardy-Weinberg principle and its underlying concepts of population equilibrium. Uses animated graphics, Punnett squares and simulations to determine the frequency of alleles within a population.