Evolutionary medicine is a growing area of research and practice; however, it is not widely discussed in introductory biology courses. Because of the interest in human biology, using evolutionary medicine is a great way to hold students' interest, placing topics in context, making the subject of evolution relevant. Too often students lose interest…

High school students are very seldomly, if at all, taught that race is a social rather than biological construct, and this pedagogical omission has led to biological essentialism. Biological essentialism is the belief that race can be used in predictable ways to determine intellect and/or behavior. Biological essentialism can result in the belief…

Animal dissection is practiced to varying degrees around the world and is particularly prevalent in North America throughout all levels of education. However, a growing number of studies suggest that nonanimal teaching methods (NAMs) (e.g., virtual anatomy tools and three-dimensional models) are better for achieving learning goals compared to…

Plants and insects share a long evolutionary history characterized by relationships that affect individual, population, and community dynamics. Plant-herbivore interactions are a prominent feature of this evolutionary history; it is by plant-herbivore interactions that energy is transferred from primary producers to the rest of the food web. Not…

Presents an interview with Dr. Shinya Inoue who helped reinvent the use of light microscopes in the study of cells. (MKR)

Describes a simulation that can be used in the classroom to help clarify difficult concepts in protein synthesis. (ZWH)

Presents an alternative approach to teaching Mendelian genetics that includes the use of mathematical procedures and models to describe the occurrence and probabilities of heritable outcomes. Examples illustrate use of the method to calculate genotypic and phenotypic ratios for crosses involving multiple alleles with independent and dependent…

Discusses three approaches that are being developed to aid people with heredity and medical diseases: (1) Determination of DNA Abnormalities and Their Results; (2) Determination of Methods of Correction; and (3) Utilization of Chemical Treatment. (ZWH)

Recounts a debate between Theodore Roosevelt and Abbott Thayer in 1909-12 over whether animal coloration was an adaptation resulting from natural selection or whether the animal's environment acted directly on it to form its color patterns. (ZWH)

Describes a laboratory exercise used by botany students to verify their textbook's teaching about photosynthesis and respiration. (ZWH)

Describes an inexpensive replacement for the gel matrix, agarose, to aid teachers in reducing the cost of supplies needed to perform gel electrophoresis experiments. (ZWH)

Describes how red beets can be used to demonstrate a variety of membrane phenomena. Some of the activities include observation of vacuoles; vacuoles in intact cells; isolation of vacuoles in physiological studies; demonstration of membrane integrity; and demonstration of ion diffusion and active transport with purified vacuoles. (ZWH)

Examines the role mistakes play in the molecular evolution of bacteria. Discusses the interacting physical, chemical, and biological factors that cause changes in DNA and play a role in prokaryotic evolution. (DDR)

Presents a model experiment for quantifying phagocytosis using earthworm coelomocytes and determining the optimum length of time necessary to obtain maximum phagocytosis. Involves incubating coelomocytes from invertebrates with an antigen, staining the cells, counting the number of antigen particles ingested, and measuring the effect of different…

Presents a lecture and play in which the students themselves become the elements of the immune system. Aims at facilitating student comprehension and retention of the complicated processes associated with the immune system. Includes objectives, outline, background information sources, instructor guide, student narrator guide, extension, and topics…