Thinking About Biology

About our authors Mimi Bres, Ph.D, tenured Professor, Prince George's Community College, Largo, Marylan Dr. Bres has over 20 years experience with the development of curriculum materials designed to stimulate interest in science and to improve critical thinking skills. Of particular note is her recent work developing an interactive web and video-based curriculum, including a virtual field component, to teach environmental concepts without the need for student travel.Dr. Bres has also worked as a consultant to corporations and government agencies. She served as team leader and developer for the Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Education Library, a series of video curriculum modules for college and high school classes which highlight hazardous chemical response and remediation projects carried out under the SuperFund Program. Dr. Bres has also served as a consultant to the Prince George's County School District in an initiative to improve the delivery of high school science courses.As a result of her expertise, Dr. Bres has been an invited speaker at a number of national meetings and seminars. Her work on the use of cooperative learning techniques has improved both student performance and interest in science. Dr. Bres' excellence in science education has been recognized by her selection for the National Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Technology by the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, the Teaching Recognition Award by the University of Maryland University College, and Outstanding Faculty Mentor of the Year by the science division students of Prince George's Community College.Recent books include: Thinking About Biology, 4th edition (a laboratory manual for general biology), Hands-On Biology: Laboratories for Distance Learning (a laboratory manual for online general biology courses), Human Biology: Condensed, 7th edition (a simplified lecture study guide that incorporates problem solving activities into the curriculum), and Cooperative Learning: Making Connections in General Biology (a collection of cooperative activities).Arnold Weisshaar, Professor Emeritus, Prince George's Community College, Largo, MarylandProfessor Weisshaar has had a distinguished 36 year career in higher education. During his career, he has been the spearhead of several initiatives to improve science education and expand the College's program offerings. In the classroom, Professor Weisshaar has worked extensively with underprepared students of diverse social and ethnic backgrounds.In an attempt to improve instructional delivery, he has co-authored a variety of support materials for students. Recent publications include laboratory manuals for general biology, including: Thinking About Biology, 4th edition and Hands-On Biology: Laboratories for Distance Learning and a simplified lecture study guide that incorporates problem solving activities into the curriculum (Human Biology: Condensed, 7th edition).

• Exercise 1 Introduction to the Scientific Method Activity 1 Forming Hypotheses to Solve ProblemsActivity 2 Testing HypothesesActivity 3 Interpreting DataActivity 4 Performing an Experiment and Collecting DataActivity 5 Graphing Your ResultsActivity 6 Interpreting Data Using Simple StatisticsExercise 2 Windows to a Microscopic World Activity 1 Learning to Use the Dissecting MicroscopeActivity 2 Making Observations with the Dissecting MicroscopeActivity 3 Getting Familiar with the Compound MicroscopeActivity 4 Parts of the Compound MicroscopeActivity 5 Learning to Use the Compound MicroscopeActivity 6 Preparing Temporary Slides - Wet MountsActivity 7 Using the Microscope to Answer a Question: What Do Aquarium Snails Eat?Exercise 3 Functions and Properties of Cells Activity 1 Cellular OrganellesActivity 2 Observing Living CellsActivity 3 Amyloplasts in Potato TubersActivity 4 Stem CellsExercise 4 Movement of Molecules Across Cell Membranes Activity 1 Water Molecules in MotionActivity 2 Diffusion and OsmosisActivity 3 Controls for the Diffusion and Osmosis ExperimentActivity 4 Completing the Diffusion and Osmosis ExperimentActivity 5 Osmosis in Elodea CellsExercise 5 Investigating Cellular Respiration Activity 1 Do Microorganisms Perform Cellular Respiration?Activity 2 Comparison of Classroom Air with Exhaled AirActivity 3 Effect of Exercise on Carbon Dioxide ProductionActivity 4 Alternatives to Aerobic RespirationActivity 5 Anaerobic RespirationExercise 6 Photosynthesis Activity 1 Absorption of Carbon Dioxide During PhotosynthesisActivity 2 Testing Leaves for StarchActivity 3 Cells of the Leaf EpidermisExercise 7 Organic Molecules and Nutrition Activity 1 Positive and Negative Indicator TestsActivity 2 Testing Food SamplesActivity 3 An Embryo in a Peanut SeedActivity 4 Dietary Intake and Good HealthExercise 8 Factors that Affect Enzyme Activity Activity 1 Demonstration of Enzyme ActivityActivity 2 Enzyme Activity in Food VacuolesActivity 3 Effect of Environmental Conditions on Protein StructureExercise 9 Introduction to Molecular Genetics Activity 1 Removing DNA From CellsActivity 2 The Basics of DNA StructureActivity 3 Building a Model of DNAActivity 4 Steps of Protein SynthesisActivity 5 Building a Real ProteinExercise 10 Mitosis and Asexual Reproduction Activity 1 How Mitosis WorksActivity 2 Recognizing the Stages of MitosisActivity 3 Mitosis - The Real Thing!Activity 4 Estimating the Duration of the Cell CycleActivity 5 RegenerationActivity 6 Asexual Reproduction: Growing a Plant From a CuttingExercise 11 Connecting Meiosis and Genetics Activity 1 Getting Started: Build a Pair of ChromosomesActivity 2 Homologous Chromosomes Separate in Meiosis to Form GametesActivity 3 Fertilization: Nature's Equivalent to Rolling the DiceActivity 4 What's Your Baby's Genotype?Activity 5 Genotype Determines PhenotypeActivity 6 Passing On TraitsActivity 7 Practicing Genetics ProblemsExercise 12 Human Genetics Activity 1 PTC TastingActivity 2 X-Linked TraitsActivity 3 Codominance and Sickle Cell DiseaseActivity 4 A Family History of Sickle Cell DiseaseActivity 5 Codominance and Multiple AllelesExercise 13 Evolution Activity 1 Determining the Age of Rock Layers and FossilsActivity 2 Reconstructing Fossil EvidenceActivity 3 Natural SelectionExercise 14 Functions of Tissues and Organs Activity 1 Skin: The Outer Protective LayerActivity 2 The EpidermisActivity 3 The DermisActivity 4 Hair Today, Gone TomorrowActivity 5 Below the Skin (the Hypodermis)Activity 6 Touch SensitivityExercise 15 The Cardiovascular System Activity 1 Circulation of Blood Around the BodyActivity 2 A Closer Look at the HeartActivity 3 Understanding Blood Pressure and Pulse RateActivity 4 Cardiovascular DiseaseExercise 16 Introduction to Anatomy: Dissecting the Fetal Pig Activity 1 Getting StartedActivity 2 Following Anatomical DirectionsActivity 3 External Anatomy of the Fetal PigActivity 4 Dissection of the MouthActivity 5 Dissection of the NeckActivity 6 Dissection of the Thoracic CavityActivity 7 Measuring Lung CapacityExercise 17 Organs of the Abdominal Cavity Activity 1 Dissection of the Abdominal CavityActivity 2 The Urinary SystemActivity 3 Internal Structure of the StomachActivity 4 Examining the Small IntestineActivity 5 The Importance of Surface AreaActivity 6 Earthworm LocomotionExercise 18 Introduction to Forensic Biology Activity 1 Getting StartedActivity 2 Classifying Fingerprint PatternsActivity 3 Analyzing Fingerprint EvidenceActivity 4 Blood TypingExercise 19 Biotechnology: DNA Analysis Activity 1 Sources of DNA EvidenceActivity 2 Solving a Crime Using RFLP FingerprintsActivity 3 The Use of PCR For STR AnalysisActivity 4 Solving a Criminal Case Using STR EvidenceActivity 5 Deciding a Paternity Suit Involving STR AnalysisActivity 6 DNA BarcodesExercise 20 Using Biotechnology to Assess Ecosystem Damage Activity 1 Exploring BioluminescenceActivity 2 Getting StartedActivity 3 Making Accurate Serial DilutionsActivity 4 Preparing Bacterial SamplesActivity 5 Testing the Toxicity of Your ChemicalExercise 21 Ecosystems Activity 1 Food ChainsActivity 2 Loss of Energy in Food ChainsActivity 3 Food Chains Interact to Form Food WebsActivity 4 BioaccumulationExercise 22 Biodiversity and Conservation Activity 1 Value of BiodiversityActivity 2 Commercial Fishing as an Example of Tragedy of the CommonsActivity 3 Ecosystem Jenga®Exercise 23 Population Ecology Activity 1 Introduction to Sampling - An Ecological ToolActivity 2 Sampling Quadrats to Estimate PopulationActivity 3 The Mark and Recapture Technique for Estimating Population Size APPENDICES Game Cards for Exercise Self Test Answers