Investigating Science 10 - Unit A

Tissues, Organs and Systems of Living Things - these videos introduce cells, tissues and systems of living organisms.

• The Inner Life of the Cell - one of the most amazing introductions to the cell that you can see and hear
• David Bolinsky Talks About Cells at TED - listen to a creator of the amazing video and animation, "The Inner Life of the Cell".

Tissues, Organs and Systems of Living Things - units always start better when you try a fun activity as an introduction to the new topic.

• TeensHealth - explore how the human teen body works in videos, activities and articles
• How The Body Works - what could make a unit more interesting than discovering how and why your own body does what it does

Systems Biology - a Scientific American podcast, with transcript, that introduces systems biology by interviewing one of the pioneers in this discipline.

Systems Biology - read more about the area of systems biology as you begin your unit task.

• Systems biology - a very good overview.
• Biologist Profile - what is the career profile of a biologist?.

Influenza - we often think of the flu as a normal sickness, but the influenza virus sometimes changes to become a much more dangerous microorganism

• Influenza - information from the Public Health Agency of Canada, whose website also includes information about current threats from the flu virus.
• The Influenza Pandemic of 1918 - a thorough description of the worldwide threat, including photographs from that time.
• 1918 Influenza: the Mother of All Pandemics - this Centre for Disease Control page documents the 1918 outbreak.
• The Deadly Virus - documents and photos from America is 1918.
• World Health Organization - excellent place for reliable pandemic information.

Quarantine - a controversial method of isolating those people infected, or even exposed, to an infectious agent.

• The History of Quarantine - a Centre for Disease Control page outlining quarantines through the years.
• The Most Dangerous Woman in America - you may have heard of "typhoid Mary"; learn more about how this cook was quarantined for life in this terrific PBS Nova website and video clip.
• Ethics and SARS: Lessons from Toronto - an interesting case study of Toronto's SARS outbreak and the quarantines that were discussed at the time.

The Other Brain Cells - the forgotten cells in your brain, astrocytes help neurons to function.

The Discovery of the Cell - once early lenses and microscopes were invented, it was soon discovered that many things were made up of tiny compartments referred to as cells.

• Cell Theory - a brief overview of the discovery of the cell.
• The Wacky History of Cell Theory - a great YouTube video.

Introduction to Microscopy - the best microscope resource on the web, including virtual light and scanning electron microscopes.

Graphic Organizer: The Cell - Skills Reference 7 on page 530 of your text reviews many of the graphic organizers you might use.

• Cell Organelles Graphic Organizer - use this table structure for a jump-start on this activity.
• Cell Mind Map - this would be an excellent effort for a student studying the structures and functions of the cell.

Cell Parts and Their Functions - use these links to compare, contrast and learn about the parts of plant and animal cells.

• Cell Structure and Function - click on the terms on the right side of the page to review many of the organelles of cells.
• Cell Structure - along with comparisons of size, this site has detailed explanations of plant and animal cell organelles.

Virtual Cells - using a microscope is an excellent way to view cells, but some virtual cells can show very clearly the organelles and processes you can find there.

• Cell Structure - - view plant and animal cells, and learn about their organelles, using this GIZMO.
• Virtual Field Trip Through the Cell - this activity includes interactive 3D cells, and an activity sheet and quiz are available for review

Cell Structures and Organelles - find out more about the structure and function of many parts of plant and animal cells.

• Cell Membrane - learn more about the cell membrane.
• Cytoplasm - this jelly-like substance holds all the organelles, as well as the cytoskeleton.
• Nucleus - this is the control centre and storage location of coded information about the organism.
• Vacuoles and Vesicles - vacuoles are general storage locations, while vesicles are often specialized for storage or transport.
• Mitochondria - information and structure of the mitochondria.
• Lysosomes - learn more about these sites of digestion within the cell.
• Golgi Apparatus - information about this preparation area.
• Endoplasmic Reticulum - read more about the production and transport of proteins and fats from the ER.
• Ribosomes - found on rough endoplasmic reticulum, these organelles are protein factories.
• Cytoskeleton - a vast network of protein filaments that act like a skeleton and a muscle at the same time.
• Centrioles - only found in animal cells, these tiny structures help move genetic information during mitosis and meiosis.
• Cell Wall - these are important as shape and support structures in many non-animal cells.
• Chloroplasts - these amazing green structures convert sunlight into products that almost all life on Earth use for energy.

Cell Structures and Organelles - review the organelles of plant and animal cells using these links.

• Diffusion and the Cell Membrane - - use this GIZMO to examine how diffusion allows some particles to enter and leave through the cell membrane.
• Cell Organelles - try these simple review activities to keep the organelles fresh in your mind.

The Differences Between Plant and Animal Cells - although all cells share similar characteristics, there are some fundamental differences between plant and animal cells.

• Plant and Animal Cells Simulation - use the diagrams of the plant and animal cells to compare structural differences.

Compound Light Microscopes - learn more about how these valuable scientific tools work.

• The Compound Light Microscope - a nice overview of this type of microscope, as well as the concept of magnification.
• Compound Light Microscope: Everything You Need to Know - an overview of the light and optics behind a light microscope.

Compound Light Microscopes - use these activities and virtual microscopes to learn more.

• Virtual Microscope - an amazing virtual microscope.
• How Light Microscopes Work - a brief review of light microscopes.

Magnification, Resolution and Contrast - making small objects larger, and being able to see fine detail in an image.

• Micrographs - amazing collections of digital images captured with optical microscopes.
• Fluorescence Microscopy - a huge website with explanations, interactive tutorials and images.

Magnification, Resolution and Contrast - use these activities to learn more about magnification, resolution and contrast

• Microscopy Tutorials - a series of interesting tutorials.
• Fluorescence Microscopy -fantastic information on fluorescence microscopy, scroll to the section on microscope simulators.

Mitochondria and Lysosomes - these two important organelles have been studied extensively by scientists using electron microscopes.

• Electron Microscopic Atlas - an amazing collection of organelle images and useful background information.
• Mitochondria - more about the powerhouse of the cell.
• Lysosomes - a brief re-introduction to lysosomes.
• Lysosome - the structure and function of the lysosome in the context of the other cell organelles.

Electron Microscopes - much smaller objects can be seen with this type of microscope, but only thin slices of the surface of a specimen can be viewed.

• Scanning Electron Microscopy - how the SEM microscope works, and more.
• Scanning Electron Micrographs - check out these brilliant images captured with scanning electron microscopes.

Electron Light Microscopes - use these activities and virtual microscopes to learn more about using electrons instead of light.

• Transmission Electron Microscopy - excellent information.
• Virtual Scanning Electron Microscopy - choose from several sample specimens and manipulate the controls to obtain the best image.

Cells on Display - like most aspects of science, building and viewing models can help us better understand and appreciate both structure and function.

• How to Make Animal cell model - fun to watch, and you may want to check out the Plant Cell, as well!
• Cell Model Project - check out these amazing cell models.

Biological Diagrams - sketching and drawing microscopic images allows us to communicate and record important discoveries.

• Lab Drawings - another great resource to follow for biological drawings.
• Drawing Biological Diagrams - a very nice blog post on how to do biological drawings.

The Differences Between Plant and Animal Cells - although all cells share similar characteristics, there are some fundamental differences between plant and animal cells.

• Plant Cells vs. Animal Cells - a quick comparison list of the many differences between plant and animal cells.
• Plant and Animal Cells Simulation - use the diagrams of the plant and animal cells to compare structural differences.

Section 1.1 Quiz - need more practice? Try this online quiz.

Your Skin - learn more about the largest organ of the human body, of which you get to see all the dead parts.

Take Protection - we like the Sun, and it allows us to survive, but we also must take care not to get too much sunshine.

• UV Index - information about what the UV Index is.
• Sunscreen - excellent sun protection information.

Melanoma - precautionary skin check images from Skincheck, the Melanoma Education Foundation.

The Cell Cycle - these links will help you learn more about interphase and mitosis.

• The Cell Cycle & Mitosis Tutorial - a brief description of the steps, along with animations.
• Chromosomes - these long strands of information contain everything about you, and are found in in the nucleus of every cell.

The Cell Cycle - use these activities as an introduction to the cell cycle, as well as a method to revisit and review what you learn about this topic.

• Cell Division - - use this GIZMO to go through an animated, interactive cell cycle.
• The Cell Cycle - each step will be covered in more detail, but this will be an excellent resource to return to again and again as you attempt to name and describe each step of the cycle.

Cell Differentiation - cell division from the perspective of a developing embryo. Free PBS registration may be required.

Mitosis - once interphase has prepared the cell for division, mitosis occurs.

• The Stages of Mitosis - a gorgeous animation of mitosis.

Mitosis - also known as the M-phase of the cell cycle, mitosis results in two identical daughter cells being produced.

• What is Mitosis - a process where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells.
• Animal Cell Mitosis - this page describes and animates the splitting of one cell into two.

Cell Death - cells may die due to damage (necrosis) or naturally of old age (apoptosis).

• Cell Death: Necrosis & Apoptosis? - an overview of the natural end of life for a cell.
• What are the Causes of Necrosis? - a brief discussion of necrosis vs apoptosis.

Cancer - instead of behaving normally, cells may become cancerous and break all the rules.

• The Cancer Cell - concise information about cancerous cells.
• How do Cells Become Cancerous? - one of a series of interesting questions about cancer on this UK website.
• Cancer - comprehensive information and recommendations from the World Health Organization.

Cancer Cells - these videos illustrate why normal cells may become cancerous, and discuss potential cures.

• How Cancer Cells Grow and Divide - a short video examining how and why a normal cell becomes an out-of-control cancer cell. Free PBS registration may be required.
• Blood Vessels Help Tumors Grow - the role of blood vessels in tumors.

HeLa Cells - developed 60 years ago from the cancerous cells of one patient, these cells are now used in cancer research all over the world.

• Henrietta's Dance - a biography of Henrietta Lacks and her contribution to the world of medicine.
• HeLa - general information about the HeLa cells.

Identifying the Stages of Mitosis - identify the stages of mitosis.

• Onion Root Tip Mitosis - micrographs of an onion root tip undergoing mitosis with the stages labelled.
• Mitosis in Real Cells - compare these micrographs of an animal cell undergoing mitosis to those of the plant cell.

Section 1.2 Quiz - need more practice? Try this online quiz.

Regeneration - the ability to regrow replacement body parts is an area of study that fascinates scientists.

• How Can Salamanders Regrow Body Parts? - some amazing amphibians can regrow entire limbs, even as adults.
• Regeneration - a summary of regeneration and the organisms that can regenerate.
• Stephen Badylak Laboratory - one of the labs where the pig bladder matrix is developed and used.

Tailor-Made Body Parts - discover more about Dr. Atala and his work with scaffolds, stem cells and growing your own organs for transplant.

• Growing New Organs - you could be your own organ donor, as your own cells are cultured in Dr. Anthony Atala's lab to grow a replacement organ.
• Institute of Regenerative Medicine - this Wake Forest department is where Dr. Anthony Atala works and where the donor bladder was grown.

Stem Cells - this source of video will explain further about stem cells, their potential, and their problems.

• Whitehead Institute - this biomedical research institute's focus is stem cell research; check here for recent news

Stem Cells - the science, ethics and illnesses associated with stem cells can make this a very contentious issue.

• Stem Cells - a collection of resources about stem cells from NOVA, including a 15-minute video.
• Stem Cells - an introduction to stem cells, plus the many areas of study and controversy surrounding them.
• Stem Cells: Breakthrough - recent discoveries have created embryonic stem cells without using human embryos.

Stem Cells - probably the most controversial - and most promising - area of regenerative medicine.

• What are Stem Cells and What are They Used For? - where are stem cells found, and why do they hold so much hope and promise?
• Regenerative Medicine - an exhaustive report on recent stem cell research

Cell Specialization - this BrainPop (free trial available) discusses how cells contain information about the entire organism, but at some point during growth most specialize to become something specific.

Specialized Cells and Tissues - the complexity of multicellular organisms is due to the fact that cells become specialized, and work together to perform specific functions.

• Animal Tissues - read about the four types of animal tissues.
• Plant Tissues - there are also four types of plant tissues.

Receiving Mixed Messages - the stem cell debate is an excellent example of how accurate scientific information can be difficult to find, and how biases and politics can confuse fact and fiction.

• The Science Media Centre of Canada - tackling the difficult problem of getting scientific information out to the general public in Canada.
• Science Media Centre - an international organization attempting to get science to everyone.
• World Federation of Science Journalists - a fascinating website whose goal is to promote science journalism, even in the developing world.
• Centre for Media Literacy - a collection of resources for making informed decisions about the media you experience.

Stem Cell Treatments - stem cells have a variety of uses, but one of the most encouraging is in the treatment of diseases.

• Stem Cell Quick Reference - an excellent overview.
• Michael J. Fox: Foundation for Parkinson's Research - this foundation posts recent developments in Parkinson's research, including stem cell experiments.

Section 1.3 Quiz - need more practice? Try this online quiz.

Cactus - read about the many adaptations of cacti, including their interesting epidermal tissues.

Sheela Basrur - as the medical officer for health in Toronto during the SARS outbreak, and later as a leader in Ontario's provincial health duties, Dr. Basrur played a vital role in the well-being of all Ontarians.

• Sheela Basrur - read more about the life and accomplishments of this amazing Canadian doctor and civil servant.
• The Sheela Basrur Centre - guides Ontarians towards a safer and more healthful life.

Medical Laboratory Technologist - the important scientists whose hard work and constantly changing challenges allow medicine and science to do the miraculous things they can do.

• The College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario - discover how to become the person who doctors in Ontario go to for answers.

Systems Biology - read more about some specific areas of systems biology as you continue your unit task.

• Cloning - read about cloning, including current news, and try your hand at cloning virtual mice.
• Stem Cells - a University of Utah site that provides information, news and ethical issues surrounding the harvesting and use of stem cells.
• Cancer Research - part of the larger Canadian Cancer Society website, read about how researchers are progressing in the treatment and prevention of cancer.
• Gene Therapy - gene therapy involves replacing broken DNA with working, functional segments.