Using Digital Microscopes in the Science Classroom

Grades: 9-12 Subject Area: Biology Designed By: Katy Tincher Time Frame: 1-2 90-Minute Blocks

per activity within context of other class activities

School: Batesville High School

3 Lesson Plans Using Digital Microscopes

What Does Mitosis Really Do? – Observing zebrafish eggs to embryos

Mark & Recapture of Grasshoppers– A study of population dynamics

DNA Extraction– Modeling the process of DNA

extraction from peas

State & National StandardsMitosis and Zebrafish Eggs

B.1.8 Understand and describe that all growth and development is a consequence of an increase in cell number, cell size, and/or cell products. Explain that cellular differentiation results from gene expression and/or environmental influence. Differentiate between mitosis and meiosis.

B.1.11 Describe that through biogenesis all organisms begin their life cycles as a single cell and that in multi-cellular organisms, successive generations of embryonic cells form by cell division.

State & National StandardsGrasshopper Mark & Recapture

B.1.41 Recognize that and describe how human beings are part of Earth’s ecosystems. Note that human activities can, deliberately or inadvertently, alter the equilibrium in ecosystems

B.1.45 Recognize that and describe how the physical or chemical environment may influence the rate, extent, and nature of the way organisms develop within ecosystems

State & National StandardsDNA Extraction

B.1.21 Understand and explain that the information passed from parents to offspring is transmitted by means of genes which are coded in DNA molecules

Understandings

The process of mitosis is a complex one however you can observe its process in some species such as zebrafish.

Populations of species change regularly and mark and recapture methods are a good indicator of the overall population in an area.

Genetic information is passed from parents to offspring through genes that are found in our DNA, which can be extracted from various living things.

Essential Questions

Can you identify the stages of a developing zebrafish egg to embryo?

How can capturing grasshoppers on two separate days tell us how many are in the population?

What exactly does DNA look like with the naked eye and with a microscope?

Skills Required

Be able to:– Read and follow a lab procedure.– Do field work RESPONSIBLY.– Keep good records of data collected using

equations if necessary.– Analyze the data collected.– Draw conclusions from that data.– Collect information and put into a lab report.– Ask questions when you need help.

Knowledge Required

Know:– Introductory use of digital

microscopes– Basic steps of mitosis (PMAT)– What does a grasshopper look like– Basic DNA structure (double helix)

Performance Tasks

Use the digital microscopes to present information learned through three labs.

Put the stages of development of zebrafish eggs into order.

Calculate the estimated population of grasshoppers in a given field plot.

Extract and observe the DNA strands from pea plants

Activities & WebQuest

Students will perform a lab for each of the three topics discussed: Mitosis, population dynamics, and DNA extraction.

In addition to the DNA extraction, students will also do a WebQuest about genetics.

Student Projects

Each activity will produce a formal lab report.– Zebrafish mitosis study will also have an I-movie

of the order that development occurs in the growth of an egg to an embryo.

– Grasshopper population study will include a collage of digital pictures taken during field work.

– DNA extraction lab will include digital pictures taken of the DNA strands extracted during the lab.

Assessments & Criteria

Formal Lab Report Rubric for all activities Behavior/On Task Rubric for all activities Use of Technology Rubric for all activities Test over Mitosis will include questions about

this lab activity. Test over Ecology will include questions

about this lab activity. Test over DNA and genetics will include

questions about this lab activity.