Jordan canonical form (JCF) is one of the most important, and useful, concepts in linear algebra. Mathematics, physics, biology, science and engineering undergraduates often find the first application of real JCF in the discipline of differential equations (continuous models) to solving systems of differential equations. In this work, we apply…

The ability to understand the relationship between the reversal potential and the membrane potential is a fundamental skill that must be mastered by students studying membrane excitability. To clarify this relationship, we have reframed a classic experiment carried out by Hodgkin and Katz, where we compare graphically the membrane potential at…

Cell size is an important variable in the study of cellular growth, metabolism, and the cell cycle. The large size of "Amoeba proteus" and the ease with which it can be collected and cultured have made it a star in biology education--and it was a model for research on cell biology before the introduction of molecular genetic methods.…

Genetic, neurobiological, neurochemical, environmental factors and their interactions contribute to autism phenotypes. Blood from 48 (age range: 4-17) autism spectrum disorder diagnosed patients (ASD) and 38 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects was analyzed for numbers of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, albumin, serum…

Hormones are the major signaling molecules that have a complex signaling cascade involving intracellular and intranuclear receptors, coreceptors, and signal transduction pathways. The molecular mechanism of hormonal action is written in a poetic verse to kindle the interest of students and to augment their affinity toward the onerous yet awesome…

This paper presents two low-cost hands-on activities designed to enhance student understanding and address the pedagogical challenges faced by microbiology professors in teaching concepts related to cell structure and gene regulation. In the first activity, we used Shrinky Dinks and Jeopardy-style game questions to explore the differences between…

Learning Cell Biology is challenging for both sighted and visually impaired students due to its abstract nature and reliance on bidimensional depictions in textbooks, which often fail to capture the biological complexity of cell structures and functions. To implement inclusive learning environments and address the shortage of learning materials…

Perturbation of gene expression using RNA interference (RNAi) or CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) is a useful strategy to explore the function of essential genes. In the archaeon "Haloferax volcanii," the CRISPR-Cas system has been adapted as a CRISPRi tool to silence the expression of specific genes. We developed a laboratory class (LC) to…

Big ideas in science education are meant to be interpretive frameworks that empower student learning. Unfortunately, outside of the broad conception of scientific evaluation, there are few theoretical explanations of how this might happen. Therefore, we contribute one such explanation, an instructional concept called integrative analysis wherein…

In health courses, the students must be familiar with the effects of intravenous solutions on cell volume and function, a topic where there can be learning difficulties and misunderstandings. Since educational games can assist in understanding complex concepts, we created a game relating solution osmolarity and tonicity to red blood cell volume…

The Nernst equation is key to understanding the electrophysiology of the cell membrane and the pathophysiology of K[superscript +] imbalances (i.e., hyperkalemia and hypokalemia). However, in our experience teaching medical students over the years, many students struggle to make connections between a brief introduction of the Nernst equation and…

Iron is needed for normal development in adolescence. Exposure to individual environmental metals (e.g., lead) has been associated with altered iron status in adolescence, but little is known about the cumulative associations of multiple metals with Fe status. We used data from the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey…

In a typical undergraduate biology curriculum, students do not dive into research until they first wade through large amounts of content. Biology courses in the first few years of the college curriculum tend to be lecture-based and exam-based courses. As a result, science students are mainly exposed to content knowledge--not the skills scientists…

Here's a fresh way to help your students learn life science by determining how you can help them learn best. "Uncovering Student Ideas in Life Science, Volume 2," offers 30 new formative assessment probes--engaging questions that can reveal what students already know (or think they know) about a core science topic. Armed with that…

The depolarization is also important for the short-term synaptic plasticity, known as depolarization-induced suppression of excitation (DSE). The two major types of neurons and their synapses in the lateral nucleus of amygdala (LA) are prone to plasticity. However, DSE in interneurons has not been reported in amygdala in general and in LA in…