College Products
Cell Biology
Our simulated cell biology labs let students visualize and tinker with processes at the molecular level, complementing wet lab experiments where they can only see macro-level phenomena. Developed with National Science Foundation funding to study and address student misconceptions, OsmoBeaker® guides students through experiments to see how interactions between molecules lead to diffusion and osmosis. Our research shows this approach leads to improved understanding (Meir et al, 2005). The Mitosis & Meiosis interactive tutorial includes innovative elements that help students study and understand confusing aspects of these important processes.
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Cell Biology Modules
Demo video availableCourse Pack | SimUTextLab: Osmosis  $3$5This popular lab explores osmosis by letting students visualize molecules moving inside a cell and across the cell's membrane. Their ultimate challenge is to use what they learn about osmosis to compose an intravenous fluid that will not cause red blood cells to expand or shrink. In the course of the lab, students explore osmosis with no, one, two, and many solutes. In the process of exploring the underlying molecular mechanisms of osmosis and osmotic pressure, students manipulate concentrations and conduct experiments to investigate what is meant by "dynamic equilibrium" and throughout the lab use quantitative reasoning to predict experimental outcomes. See our Publications page to read how this lab has successfully conquered misconceptions! [One caveat: students who have trouble with ratios may need assistance.]
Key Concepts: Equilibrium | Osmosis | Overcoming common misconceptions Courses: Intro Bio: Molecular | Intro Bio: Non-majors | Osmosis-Diffusion Reviews: "The students loved the [OsmoBeaker] simulations and I thought they got more out of them than even they did." Heather Dietz, University of Regina |
Lab: Diffusion $3$5This lab confronts common misconceptions about diffusion using engaging simulated molecular-level experiments. The lab first focuses on how individual molecules move under different conditions. It then sets up a fun experiment that allows students to explore whether nerve cells could use diffusion to move materials from the cell body to the synapses at the tips of their axons. Students run races in axons of different lengths and record how long it takes for "peptide" molecules to diffuse down their length. A new concluding exercise explores diffusion in plant leaves, asking whether CO2 molecules that start among high concentrations of other CO2 molecules move faster than CO2 molecules that start among high concentrations of water molecules. By the end of the lab, students not only discover the need for cellular and organ level transport mechanisms, but also overcome some commonly held misconceptions (see our Publications page for details).
Level: Intro Key Concepts: Diffusion | Overcoming common misconceptions | Randomness Courses: Intro Bio: Molecular | Intro Bio: Non-majors | Osmosis-Diffusion Reviews: "The students loved the [OsmoBeaker] simulations and I thought they got more out of them than even they did." Heather Dietz, University of Regina |
Mitosis & Meiosis Demystified: Mitosis, Meiosis These two interactive tutorials, one on mitosis, the other on meiosis, were created by the University of Amsterdam. They are among the best interactive tutorials we've seen. Among our favorite features are a circular cell cycle diagram with a cell whose DNA contents change as you drag it, a series of microscope images of the mitotic stages arranged on an interactive time-line, with a rotating 3-D view of each, a beautiful movie of the full cell cycle in an animal cell with a synchronous animated key, self-tests that return you to the appropriate spot in the tutorial for wrong answers, and much more.
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Key Concepts: Cell cycle | Meiosis | Mitosis Courses: Intro Bio: Molecular | Intro Bio: Non-majors Reviews: "The mitosis and meiosis demystified simulations were fantastic. I am familiar with mitosis and meiosis, but the simulations were clear and to the point. The animations were especially helpful in learning the sequence of events." Student comment to Dr Kathryn Gardner, Boston University |
"[Mitosis & Meiosis Demystified] kept a...class happily learning for 40 minutes with the silence only being broken with 'ooh cool—look at this...'"
