Text Search:
Applied Filters
    Lesson
    2755

    views

    626

    downloads

    0

    comments

    A Hands-on Introduction to Hidden Markov Models
    In this Lesson, we describe a classroom activity that demonstrates how a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) is applied to predict a eukaryotic gene, focusing on predicting one exon-intron boundary. This HMM lesson is part of the BIOL/CS 370...
    transcriptionexonintronsplicing
    Lesson
    2531

    views

    444

    downloads

    0

    comments

    A Kinesthetic Modeling Activity to Teach PCR Fundamentals
    Most molecular biology and biological sciences students understand that the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to amplify DNA. However, we have found that some students experience conceptual misunderstandings, a lack of detailed comprehension...
    PCR
    Lesson
    1250

    views

    479

    downloads

    0

    comments

    Building a Model of Tumorigenesis: A small group activity for a cancer biology/cell biology course
    The multistep nature of tumorigenesis is a foundational concept in the context of Cancer Biology. Many students do not appreciate the complex nature of cancer development nor do they understand how scientists are able to unravel the molecular...
    pathwayscancerMolecular AlterationsRetrospective dataTumorigenesis
    Lesson
    1729

    views

    466

    downloads

    0

    comments

    Exploration of the Human Genome by Investigation of Personalized SNPs
    Students often shy away from tedious bioinformatics approaches to exploring their genomes. However, in our expanding digital world these skills are some of the most relevant and valuable. To increase students' interest in their own genomes, I...
    UCSC genome browsersingle nucleotide polymorphismGenome wide association studiesGenomic organization
    Lesson
    908

    views

    128

    downloads

    0

    comments

    Infectious Chocolate Joy with a Side of Poissonian Statistics: An activity connecting life science students with subtle physics concepts
    Introductory physics courses are required for many programs in the life sciences, yet traditional curricula fail to help students meaningfully connect physical concepts with biological systems.  In this lesson, we describe an activity taught...
    quantitative biologyHIVmultiplicity of infectionPoisson DistributionPhysics for biologists
    Lesson
    1712

    views

    536

    downloads

    0

    comments

    Using Undergraduate Molecular Biology Labs to Discover Targets of miRNAs in Humans
    Incorporating authentic research experiences into undergraduate labs, while shown to be particularly effective at engaging and retaining students in STEM majors, can be difficult to accomplish within the constraints of resource availability or...
    gene regulationmicroRNAsgene expression
    Lesson
    1615

    views

    416

    downloads

    0

    comments

    Why do Some People Inherit a Predisposition to Cancer? A small group activity on cancer genetics
    Before undergraduate students take a genetics course they generally know cancer has a genetic basis and involves the proliferation of cells; however, many are uncertain about why only a subset of people have a predisposition to cancer and how that...
    cancerInheritance patternsProbability calculationProto-oncogeneTumor Suppressor Gene
    Lesson
    2003

    views

    260

    downloads

    0

    comments

    You and Your Oral Microflora: Introducing non-biology majors to their “forgotten organ”
    With limited time available for laboratory activities, introductory science courses for non-science majors typically use the laboratory period to reinforce material that was previously presented during lecture. This practice was true of a human...
    bacteriamicrobiomeBLASTmicrobesDNA replicationPolymerase chain reaction (PCR)
    Lesson
    1117

    views

    478

    downloads

    0

    comments

    Using Pathway Maps to Link Concepts, Peer Review, Primary Literature Searches and Data Assessment in Large Enrollment Classes: An example from teaching ecosystem ecology
    As with many other complex topics, teaching ecosystem ecology can be particularly difficult in terms of helping students understand the relationships between the various component parts. We addressed this challenge in a general ecology course by...
    energyecosystemNutrientsPathway
    Lesson
    2316

    views

    589

    downloads

    0

    comments

    The Case of the Missing Strawberries: RFLP analysis
    While solving the fictional mystery of the missing strawberries, students are engaged in a guided-inquiry lesson featuring small-group and class discussions, hands-on activities, and laboratory exercises related to molecular genotyping by...
    process of scienceDNAforensicsgel electrophoresisMolecular genotypingRestriction endonucleaseRestriction enzymeRestriction fragment length polymorphismRFLP
    Lesson
    1385

    views

    432

    downloads

    0

    comments

    Sex-specific differences in Meiosis: Real-world applications
    In traditional classrooms, students are typically presented with facts that they are asked to memorize and recall during an exam.  The rapid explosion of available scientific facts in recent years has made this model of teaching...
    meiosisReproductionAneuploidyGameteNon-disjunctionOocyteSpermTrisomy
    Lesson
    1553

    views

    285

    downloads

    0

    comments

    Modeling the Research Process: Authentic human physiology research in a large non-majors course
    Laboratory experiences in large-enrollment introductory science courses often utilize “cookie-cutter style” laboratory experiences due to the relative simplicity of setting up the lab stations, as well as a need to teach students...
    data analysishypothesis testingexperimental designphysiology
    Lesson
    1473

    views

    302

    downloads

    0

    comments

    Plotting Cranial and Spinal Nerve Pathways in a Human Anatomy Lab
    Hands-on experiences with cadavers, animal dissections, or plastic models are effective at improving student learning and attitudes in human anatomy courses. The hands-on experience allows students to visualize and experiment with anatomical...
    human anatomyNervous systemBrainCranial nerveNerveSpinal cordSpinal nerve
    Lesson
    2950

    views

    641

    downloads

    0

    comments

    Homologous chromosomes? Exploring human sex chromosomes, sex determination and sex reversal using bioinformatics approaches
    Constructing a robust understanding of homologous chromosomes, sex chromosomes, and the particulate nature of genes is a notoriously difficult task for undergraduate biology students. In this lesson, students expand their knowledge of human...
    bioinformaticsautosomehomologous chromosomeshomologous recombinationsex chromosomesex determinationsex reversal mutations
    Lesson
    1622

    views

    397

    downloads

    0

    comments

    Does it pose a threat? Investigating the impact of Bt corn on monarch butterflies
    Aspiring scientists know that a hallmark of science is that experiments are repeatable and testable.  However, students do not often get opportunities to explore the replicability of science.  Using a current “hot topic” of...
    ecologyCommunity EcologyBt cornGenetic modificationMonarch butterflies
    Lesson
    2540

    views

    852

    downloads

    0

    comments

    Coevolution or not? Crossbills, squirrels and pinecones
    This case reinforces the concept of coevolution as a reciprocal change in genetic structure between or among two or more populations, by having students analyze and interpret data, build a descriptive model of the system, and use data to make...
    fitnessCoevolutionCo-adaptation
    Lesson
    1350

    views

    268

    downloads

    0

    comments

    Bad Cell Reception? Using a cell part activity to help students appreciate cell biology, with an improved data plan and no loss in coverage
    With a veritable myriad of cell parts to cover, it is easy for educators to become locked into marathon presentations that become taxing for both the instructor and the students. While we hope and expect that students master this material, the...
    primary literatureprokaryotesCell partsEukaryotesOrganelle functionOrganelles
    Lesson
    8490

    views

    1105

    downloads

    0

    comments

    Why Meiosis Matters: The case of the fatherless snake
    A compelling reason to learn something can make all the difference in students’ motivation to learn it.  Motivation, in turn, is one of the key attitudes that drives learning.  This story presents students with a compelling puzzle of a...
    meiosismitosissex determinationAsexual reproductionParthenogenesis