B I O L O G Y
L A B O R A T O R I E S

A.M.S.A.     August 22, 2005     f 		 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BIOLOGY LABS for GRADES 6 & 7
(labs are always subject to change)
6.A RADISH SEEDLINGS (or a substitute)
An inquiry based lab. After students learn the scientific method as a theoretical procedure, this lab gets them to understand how the methodology works by getting them to formulate their own hypothesis and test it. The process is more important here than the particular materials used. In this exercise, students in each group devise their own experiment using radish seedlings grown under different conditions. We use one period to explain the procedures and plant the seeds. Students then conduct follow-up observations (data collection) on their own as the seedlings grow.
6B. MICROSCOPY.
Students learn how to use a microscope. Looking at newsprint introduces image inversion and movements. Looking at colored threads teaches about focusing. Students then look at various interesting slides of animal and plant materials just to get them interested further (we love lots of "what's that?" questions). NEEDS: Microscopes, lens paper, immersion oil, wooden toothpicks REFS: E2 VM2 C1
6C. CHEMISTRY OF LIFE.
Here we test various grocery items for sugars (with Benedict's), starch (with iodine), fats (with Sudan III and also with newspaper), and protein (with Biuret's test). REFS: E1 VM4-7,11
6D. CELLS.
Students look at cells and cell models, and learning the differences between procaryotic and eucaryotic cells and between animal and plant cells. NEEDS: Onion root tips, leaves, stems; whitefish blastula, intestine, liver, pancreas; Animal & plant cell models REFS: E3 VM3 SB3
6E. DIFFUSION AND OSMOSIS. Could be a simple demonstration or two.
Possibilities include a thistle tube set-up, a carrot osmometer, or before-and-after weighings of potato pieces soaked in hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic solutions. If we can get defibrinated sheep's blood, we could also look at crenated, normal, swollen, and plasmolysed blood cells produced by different salt concentrations. NEEDS: Thistle tube, beaker, ringstand, sheep's blood REFS: E4 VM8,9 SB4
6F. BACTERIA.
Looking at bacteria (and cyanobacteria) under the microscope, combined with an overview of the 6 kingdoms. NEEDS: slides, Petri dishes. REFS: E13,14 VM23 SB14
6G. PROTOZOANS.
Looking at both preserved slides and live specimens. Local field trips to collect pond water (jars, eyedroppers needed) REFS: E15,16 VM24-26 SB14
6H. ALGAE.
Slides, preserved specimens, and fresh local material. The coast is near enough to bring in fresh marine samples. REFS: E15,16 VM24-26 (check these)
6I. FUNGI.
Slides, preserved specimens, and local material.

7A. MITOSIS.
Basic cell division in both animal and plant cells (whitefish blastulas, onion root tips). REFS: E8 VM13,14 C9
7B. MEIOSIS & FERTILIZATION.
The process of gamete formation in representative organisms (lily, Ascaris, etc.). Also starfish fertilization. REFS: E8 VM13,14 C9A
7C. MENDELIAN GENETICS.
Counting kernels of corn from monohybrid and dihybrid crosses. We can discuss the question, "are the observed ratios close enough?", and then introduce chi-square testing. Karl Pearson, trained as a geneticist, invented chi-square testing for precisely this type of application. REFS: E9 VM16 C10,10A
7D. COMPUTER MODELING OF GENETICS, etc.
Computer modeling and simulation of genetic crosses. Also study of a DNA model. Possible examination of a few mutant organiams if we can get the material. Possibly a film on translation. REFS: E9,11 VM16
7E. HUMAN GENETICS.
Study of human chromosomes (from slides and micrographs). Demonstration of Barr bodies, etc. Photos of several phenotypes produced by chromosomal variations: Down, Turner, Klinefelter, possbly others. DNA model could go here instead of 7D. NEEDS: Chromosome squashes, RBC, sickle cells, PTC, benzoic acid, Ishihara plates. REF: E10 C12,12A
7F. EVOLUTION.
Study of various examples of adaptation, camouflage, mimicry, homology, adaptive diversification, etc. Also, modeling of natural selection (may require a separate lab period for this). NEEDS: Displays of wings, beaks, insect mouthparts, skulls, mimicry. Possibly colored beads, computer models. REFS: VM18skull E12 VM17 C14,15A,27
7G. PLANT TISSUES: LEAVES.
Microscope slides & models, plus local specimens. REFS: E7 VM12 C19A
7H. PLANT DIVERSITY: NONSEED PLANTS.
Preserved plants, slides, and models. REFS: E17 VM27-30
7I. PLANT DIVERSITY: SEED PLANTS.
Fresh material, models, and slides, emphasizing angiosperm characteristics and differences between monocots and dicots. REFS: E17 VM27-30
7J. ANGIOSPERM ROOTS AND STEMS.
Models, preserved materials, and fresh specimens.
7K. FLOWERS, FRUITS, & SEEDS.
Preserved materials; fresh fruits from a grocery; flowers from a florist. REFS: E22,23 VM31-34 C20


8A. LOWER ANIMALS.
Sponges, hydra, flatworms, roundworms, rotifer slides; preserved corals, tapeworm; ?Hydra models REFS: E18 VM35,36 C23A
8B. MOLLUSKS & ANNELIDS
Brachiopods, clams, snails, squid, annelids. REFS: E19,20 VM37,38 C23
8C. ARTHROPODS
Small arthropods, insect orders, models. REFS: E19,20 VM37,38
8D. DEUTEROSTOMES
Larvae, amphioxus, tunicates, starfish (incl. models). REFS: E19,20 VM37,38
8E. FISHES & AMPHIBIA
Fishes, Necturus, frog. REFS: E21 VM39 C25A
8F. AMNIOTES
Turtle, snake, skeletons, mounted rabbit. REFS: E21 VM39 C26,26A
8G,H. ANIMAL TISSUES AND ORGANS
Lots of slides. REFS: E24-30 VM40,46-48
8I. ANIMAL BEHAVIOR Needs live specimens! REFS: E32 VM50 C3A
8J,K. ECOLOGY (two habitats)
Local field trips to identify local flora & fauna in two different habitats.
REFS: VM19-22; cf ST44,45pollution; C17A
The woods near the school are the nearest natural habitat. About a mile due west, the headwaters of the Assabet River (including both Stirrup Brook and Solomon Pond) might make another good habitat to study. The Assabet is a very historic river; the American Revolution started right near where the Assabet and Subdury Rivers join to form the Concord River in Corcord.
"..By the rude bridge that arched the flood
Their flag to April's breeze unfurl'd,
Here once the embattled farmers stood
And fired the shot heard 'round the world."
                  Ralph Waldo Emerson

X. Possible future lab: Development
REFS: E31 VM49
OTHER:
E:investig A-E!! ST43bioassay exper. E6 Krebs

Slides, models, and preserved specimens are one-time purchases that can be used year after year.

REFERENCES:






PUT ON ORDER LIST:


[ BIOLOGY CURRICULUM OUTLINE ]
[ GRADE 6 SYLLABUS ]
[ GRADE 7 SYLLABUS ]
[ GRADE 8 SYLLABUS ]
[ GRADE 9 SYLLABUS ]
[ GRADES 10-11-12 ]
[ BIOLOGY LAB NOTES ]

RETURN TO THE CURRICULUM PAGE