Cell Biology

Bad Cell Reception? Using a cell part activity to help students appreciate cell biology, with an improved data plan and...

Learning Objectives
Identify cell parts and explain their function

Explain how defects in a cell part can result in human disease

Generate thought-provoking questions that expand upon existing knowledge

Create a hypothesis and plan an experiment to answer a cell part question

Find and reference relevant cell biology journal articles
A virtual laboratory on cell division using a publicly-available image database

Learning Objectives
Students will name and describe the salient features and cellular tasks for each stage of cell division.

Students will predict the relative durations of the stages of cell division using prior knowledge and facts from assigned readings.

Students will describe the relationship between duration of each stage of cell division and the frequency of cells present in each stage of cell division counted in a random sample of images of pluripotent stem cells.

Students will identify the stages of cell division present in research-quality images of human pluripotent stem cells in various stages of cell division.

Students will quantify, analyze and summarize data on the prevalence of cells at different stages of cell division in randomly sampled cell populations.

Students will use data to reflect on and revise predictions.
Understanding Protein Domains: A Modular Approach

Learning Objectives
Students will be able to compare protein sequences and identify conserved regions and putative domains.

Students will be able to obtain, examine, and compare structural models of protein domains.

Students will be able to interpret data on protein interactions (in vitro pull-down and in vitro and in vivo functional assays)

Students will be able to propose experiments to test protein interactions.
Linking Genotype to Phenotype: The Effect of a Mutation in Gibberellic Acid Production on Plant Germination

Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
identify when germination occurs.

score germination in the presence and absence of GA to construct graphs of collated class data of wild-type and mutant specimens.

identify the genotype of an unknown sample based on the analysis of their graphical data.

organize data and perform quantitative data analysis.

explain the importance of GA for plant germination.

connect the inheritance of a mutation with the observed phenotype.
Using Yeast to Make Scientists: A Six-Week Student-Driven Research Project for the Cell Biology Laboratory

Learning Objectives
Learn about basic S. cerevisiae biology

Use sterile technique

Perform a yeast viability assay

Use a spectrophotometer to measure growth of S. cerevisiae

Perform a literature search

Calculate concentrations of chemicals appropriate for S. cerevisiae

Generate S. cerevisiae growth curves

Troubleshoot experimental difficulties

Perform statistical analysis

Present findings to an audience