10 Great Biology Activities and Lessons

10 Great Biology Activities and Lessons Biology activities and lessons allow students to investigate and learn about biology through hands-on experience. Below is a list of 10 great biology activities and lessons for K-12 teachers and students. K-8 Activities and Lessons 1. Cells This is a diagram of an animal cell. colematt/iStock/Getty Images Plus   The Cell as a System: This activity enables students to explore the components of a cell and how they work together as a system. Objectives: Students will identify major cell components; know structures and functions of components; understand how the parts of a cell interact together. Resources:Cell Anatomy - Discover the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Cell Organelles - Learn about the types of organelles and their function within cells. 15 Differences Between Animal and Plant Cells - Identify 15 ways in which animal cells and plant cells differ from one another. 2. Mitosis The Cell Cycle. By Kelvinsong (Own work) [ CC0], via Wikimedia Commons Mitosis and Cell Division: This lesson introduces students to the process of cell mitosis. Objectives: Students will understand the processes of cell reproduction and chromosome replication. Resources: Mitosis - This stage-by-stage guide to mitosis describes the major events that occur in each mitotic stage. Mitosis Glossary - This glossary lists commonly used mitosis terms. Mitosis Quiz - This quiz is designed to test your knowledge of the mitotic process. 3. Meiosis Lily Anther Microsporocyte in Telophase II of Meiosis. Ed Reschke/Photolibrary/Getty Images Meiosis and Gamete Production: This activity helps students explore meiosis and sex cell production. Objectives: Students will describe the steps in meiosis and understand the difference between mitosis and meiosis. Resources:Stages of Meiosis - This illustrated guide describes each stage of meiosis. 7 Differences Between Mitosis and Meiosis - Discover 7 differences between the division processes of mitosis and meiosis. 4. Owl Pellet Dissection This image shows small animal bones found in an owl pellet.   Dave King/Dorling Kindersley/Getty Images Plus Dissecting Owl Pellets: This activity allows students to explore owl eating habits and digestion through dissecting owl pellets. Objectives: Students learn how to examine, gather, and interpret data through owl pellet dissections. Resources:Online Dissections - These virtual dissection resources allow you to experience actual dissections without all of the mess. 5. Photosynthesis A young boy studies photosynthesis and is using a microscope. Andrew Rich/Getty Images Photosynthesis and How Plants Make Food: This lesson explores photosynthesis and how plants use light to make food. Objectives: Students will discover how plants make food, transport water, and the importance of plants to the environment. Resources:The Magic of Photosynthesis - Discover how plants turn sunlight into energy. Plant Chloroplasts - Find out how chloroplasts make photosynthesis possible. Photosynthesis Quiz - Test your knowledge of photosynthesis by taking this quiz. 8-12 Activities and Lessons 1. Mendelian Genetics Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly, vinegar fly).   Sinhyu/iStock/Getty Images Plus Using Drosophila to Teach Genetics: This activity is designed to help students apply basic genetics concepts to a living organism. Objective: Students learn how to use the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, to apply knowledge of heredity and Mendelian genetics. Resources:Mendelian Genetics - Explore how traits are passed from parents to offspring. Genetic Dominance Patterns - Examine the differences among complete dominance, incomplete dominance, and co-dominance relationships. Polygenic Inheritance - Discover the types of traits that are determined by multiple genes. 2. Extracting DNA DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecule, illustration.   KTSDESIGN/Science Photo Library/Getty Images Extracting DNA: This activity is designed to help students learn about the structure and function of DNA through DNA extraction. Objectives: Students understand relationships between DNA, chromosomes, and genes. They understand how to extract DNA from living sources. Resources: DNA From a Banana - Try this simple experiment that demonstrates how to extract DNA from a banana. Make a DNA Model Using Candy - Discover a sweet and fun way to make a DNA model using candy. 3. The Ecology of Your Skin Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria are part of the normal flora found in the body and on the skin.   Janice Haney Carr/ CDC Bacteria That Live on the Skin: In this activity, students discover the diverse organisms that live on the human body. Objectives: Students examine the relationship between humans and skin bacteria. Resources:Bacteria That Live on Your Skin - Discover 5 types of bacteria that live on your skin. Microbe Ecosystems of the Body - The human microbiome includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even mites. A Guide to Different Types of Pathogens - Learn about six types of pathogens that can make you sick. Top 5 Reasons to Wash Your Hands - Washing and drying your hands properly is a simple and effective way to prevent the spread of disease. 4. The Heart Human heart cross section showing blood circulation through the heart. jack0m/DigitalVision Vectors/Getty Images Heart to Heart: This lesson helps students explore heart function, structure, and blood pumping activity. Objectives: Students explore the anatomy of the heart and blood circulation. Resources:Heart Anatomy - This guide provides and overview of the function and anatomy of the heart. Circulatory System - Learn about the pulmonary and systemic paths of blood circulation. 5. Cellular Respiration Cellular Respiration. Purestock/Getty Images ATP Please!: This lesson helps students explore the role of mitochondria in ATP production during aerobic cellular respiration. Objectives: Students will be able to identify the steps of ATP production and the function of cell mitochondria. Resources: Cellular Respiration - Discover how cells harvest the energy from the foods we eat. Glycolysis - This is the first step of cellular respiration where glucose is split into two molecules for the production of ATP. Citric Acid Cycle - Also known as the Krebs Cycle, this is the second step of cellular respiration. Electron Transport Chain - The majority of ATP production occurs in this final stage of cellular respiration. Mitochondria - These cell organelles are the sites of aerobic cellular respiration. Biology Experiments For information on science experiments and lab resources, see: Biology Science Project Ideas - Discover  great ideas for biology related science projects.Biology Lab Safety Rules - Follow these tips to learn how to stay safe in biology lab.

Geography of Kiribati

Geography of Kiribati Population: 100,743 (July 2011 estimate)Capital: TarawaArea: 313 square miles (811 sq km)Coastline: 710 miles (1,143 km)Highest Point: An unnamed point on the island of Banaba at 265 feet (81 m)Kiribati is an island nation located Oceania in the Pacific Ocean. It is made up of 32 island atolls and one small coral island that are spread out over millions of miles or kilometers. The country itself however has only 313 square miles (811 sq km) of area. Kiribati is also along the International Date Line on its easternmost islands and it straddles the Earths equator. Because it is on the International Date Line, the country had the line shifted in 1995 so that all of its islands could experience the same day at the same time. History of Kiribati The first people to settle Kiribati were the I-Kiribati when they settled what are the present-day Gilbert Islands around 1000-1300 B.C.E. In addition Fijians and Tongans later invaded the islands. Europeans did not reach the islands until the 16th century. By the 1800s, European whalers, traders and slave merchants began visiting the islands and causing social problems. As a result in 1892 the Gilbert and Ellice Islands agreed to become British protectorates. In 1900 Banaba was annexed after natural resources were found and in 1916 they all became a British colony (U.S. Department of State). The Line and Phoenix Islands were also later added to the colony. During World War II, Japan seized some of the islands and in 1943 the Pacific portion of the war reached Kiribati when United States forces launched attacks on the Japanese forces on the islands. In the 1960s, Britain began giving Kiribati more freedom of self-government and in 1975 the Ellice Islands broke away from the British colony and declared their independence in 1978 (U.S. Department of State). In 1977 the Gilbert Islands were given more self-governing powers and on July 12, 1979 they became independent with the name Kiribati. Government of Kiribati Today Kiribati is considered a republic and it is officially called the Republic of Kiribati. The countrys capital is Tarawa and its executive branch of government is made up of a chief of state and a head of government. Both of these positions are filled by Kiribatis president. Kiribati also has a unicameral House of Parliament for its legislative branch and Court of Appeal, High Court and 26 Magistrates courts for its judicial branch. Kiribati is divided into three different units, the Gilbert Islands, the Line Islands and the Phoenix Islands, for local administration. There are also six different island districts and 21 island councils for Kiribatis islands. Economics and Land Use in Kiribati Because Kiribati is in a remote location and its area is spread over 33 small islands it is one of the least developed Pacific island nations (CIA World Factbook). It also has few natural resources so its economy is mainly dependent on fishing and small handicrafts. Agriculture is practiced throughout the country and the main products of that industry are copra, taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes and assorted vegetables. Geography and Climate of Kiribati The islands making up Kiribati are located along the equator and International Date Line about halfway between Hawaii and Australia. The closest nearby islands are Nauru, the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu. It is made up of 32 very low lying coral atolls and one small island. Because of this, Kiribatis topography is relatively flat and its highest point is an unnamed point on the island of Banaba at 265 feet (81 m). The islands are also surrounded by large coral reefs. The climate of Kiribati is tropical and as such it is mainly hot and humid but its temperatures can be somewhat moderated by the trade winds (CIA World Factbook). To learn more about Kiribati, visit the Geography and Maps page on Kiribati on this website. SourceCentral Intelligence Agency. (8 July 2011). CIA - The World Factbook - Kiribati. Retrieved from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kr.htmlInfoplease.com. (n.d.). Kiribati: History, Geography, Government, and Culture- Infoplease.com. Retrieved from: infoplease.com/ipa/A0107682.htmlUnited States Department of State. (3 February 2011). Kiribati. Retrieved from: state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1836.htmWikipedia.org. (20 July 2011). Kiribati - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiribati