Discusses botanical literature used in a biology course for nonmajors. (JRH)

Reviews the development of the climax concept of succession, illustrates the misconceptions in current textbooks, and provides a conceptual model for an updated view of succession useful in teaching at the introductory level. Contains 38 references. (JRH)

Argues that the changing informational content of biology, tightening cost constraints, improving electronic media, increasing pressures from advocates of animal rights, and the growing evidence of the effectiveness of electronic modes of instruction are undermining the traditional belief that all students in biology should have the benefit of…

Analyzes high school biology textbooks with the aim of providing descriptive information and determining the emphasis on scientific literacy themes of body of knowledge, nature of science, inquiry, and Science-Technology-Society (STS) issues. Concludes that the textbooks focus mainly on the knowledge of science and divorce science content from the…

Lists suggestions for improving experiments involving effects of various chemicals on Daphnia heart rate. Concludes that the real value of these experiments lies in what they teach about variations in the response of living things to chemicals and the difficulties researchers encounter when doing experiments with living things. (JRH)

Presents a laboratory demonstration that helps students understand the concept of microscope calibration. (JRH)

Presents a genetic game that allows students to construct a human face as determined by the random selection of alleles from a gene pool. Can be used to teach the concepts of chromosome inheritance, dominance, incomplete dominance, multiple alleles, multiple loci, independent assortment, multiple gene traits, and evolution. (JRH)

Presents a guided discovery activity that uses fruit flies and can be implemented in introductory biology and nature of science classes to flesh out abstract lectures about life cycles, insect morphology, patterns and causes of animal behavior, and the nature of science. Discusses strengths and drawbacks and results of student evaluations of the…

Presents a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratory exercise that can be performed by introductory biology students in 1 45- to 55-minute class period. Includes a general description of the polymerase chain reaction, materials needed, procedure, and details of interest to teachers. (JRH)

Presents a simulation game that facilitates understanding of the concepts of enzyme kinetics and inhibition. The first part of the game deals with the relationship between enzyme activity and substrate concentration while the second part deals with characterization of competitive and noncompetitive inhibition of enzyme activity. (JRH)

Describes a project that introduces students to the field of biotechnology and provides them with an understanding of the basic principles and techniques as well as an opportunity to participate in experimental methodology. Presents specific science projects that deal with polymorphism in the lipase gene and the genetic engineering of a lipase…

Discusses the need for science courses to be rigorous, promote student success, and enhance self-esteem in order to address students' phobia of science. Discusses the philosophy of science education and techniques and strategies to reach the goals that arise from this philosophy. Presents models that work with advanced biology students and middle…

Presents a plain English map of the chromosomes of the fruit fly that contains genes from very different kinds of studies. Represents the work of nearly a century by thousands of researchers using a tremendous variety of techniques. (JRH)

Describes the development and workings of the Jupiter Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy that focuses on enabling both teachers and students to participate in real-life learning experiences. Discusses qualifications for admittance, curriculum, location, ongoing projects, students, academics, preparation for life, problem solving, and…

Presents an exercise to measure the modulus of elasticity of spider silk using a microforce transducer that can be built from materials readily available in the laboratory. (JRH)