Transcript Digital Microscopes Lessons

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 Standards
Mitosis 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 multicellular organisms, successive generations of embryonic
cells form by cell division.
State & National Standards
Grasshopper 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 Standards
DNA 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.