Frank Potter's Science Gems

Frank Potter's Science Gems - Life Science I

FYI: Check back weekly, for we will continue to add new resources to the more than 12000 WWW resources that we have located so far.

Latest update: Monday, January 1, 2024.
http://www.sciencegems.com

SUBCATEGORIES		SOME POPULAR SITES
Life Science - Part I Measurement & Scientific Investigation Living Things: Origin & Molecules Cells: Energetics to Heredity Molecular Genetics Evolution Ecology Life Science - Part II Biology of Viruses... Biology of Plants Biology of Animals Human Biology + Martindale's Health Guide BioMOO - Virtual School of Biology!		HUMAN Genetic Idiogram Dispenser Exploratorium - Science Snacks UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology Endangered Species Program Predator-Prey Simulation Metabolic Pathways

Physical Science I

Physical Science II

Physical Science III

Earth Science I

Earth Science II

Engineering

Mathematics

STS

Health

Reference Desk

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LIFE SCIENCE - BIOLOGY

I. Life Science - Techniques: Measurement and Scientific Investigation

"MINIMUM" Level: Kindergarten

NANOWORLD HOME PAGE - D. Waddell @ Univ. of Queensland, Australia Electron microscope images in abundance: select Image Gallery to see insects, blood cell, cement, polyp skeleton, crystals, bread mold, rat hair, egg shell, pollen, etc. Also a wonderful section on scale size examples from the atomic & molecular to the cellular and macromolecular. [
Critical Thinking - Center for Critical Thinking Lesson plans K-12 on student reasoning and background material.

"MINIMUM" Level: 3rd Grade

Views through a microscope- Ceyreste Primary School, France
"Pour photographier de petits objets, on monte un appareil numérique ou une caméra vidéo sur un microscope ou sur une loupe binoculaire." Pictures of objects taken by students using a binary microscope.

"MINIMUM" Level: 6th Grade

Views through a microscope- Ceyreste Primary School, France
"Pour photographier de petits objets, on monte un appareil numérique ou une caméra vidéo sur un microscope ou sur une loupe binoculaire." Pictures of objects taken by students using a binary microscope.
Exploratorium Science Snackbook of Science Demonstrations - Exploratorium, San Francisco
Sample of about 40 "snacks" from the 100 in the book for simply constructing and investigating science, from optical illusions to electricity and light. Examples: Afterimage; Anti-Gravity Mirror; Balancing Ball; Balancing Stick; Benham's Disk; Bernoulii Levitator; Bicycle Wheel Gyro; Bird in the Cage; Blind Spot; Blue Sky; Bone Stress; Bridge Light; Bronx Cheer Bulb; Bubble Suspension; Bubble Tray; Cardboard Tube Syllabus; Center of Gravity; Charge and Carry; Cheshire Cat; Circles of Magnetism; Cold metal; Colored Shadows; Condiment Diver; Convections Currents; Cool Hot Rod; Coupled Resonant pendulums; Critical Angle; Curie Point; Diamagnetism; Dipping Bird; Diffraction; Electroscope; Geyser; Hand Battery; Laser Jello; Magnetic Shielding; Peripheral Vision; Resonator; Sense and Taste; Solar Brightness; Spectra; Stripped Down Motor; Tired Weight; Vector Toys; Vortex, etc.
Critical Thinking - Center for Critical Thinking Lesson plans K-12 on student reasoning and background material.

"MINIMUM" Level: 9th Grade

THE NIST CODATA RECOMMENDED VALUES OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICAL CONSTANTS - E. Richard Cohen and Barry N. Taylor and maintained by the Physics Laboratory, National Institute of Standards Here's where you look up the familiar and the obscure! "This document gives the values of the basic constants and conversion factors of physics and chemistry resulting from the 1986 least-squares adjustment of the fundamental physical constants...".

"MINIMUM" Level: University

Computational Science Education Project Oak Ridge National Laboratory Part C: "Direct and Inverse Bioelectric Fields Problems" & "Mutational Meltdown of Endangered Species".

"MINIMUM" Level: Graduate

To be added later.

II. The Origin of Living Things

Subcategories include: The Science of Biology, The Nature of Molecules, The Chemical Building Blocks of Life, and The Origin and Early History of Life.

"MINIMUM" Level: Kindergarten

To be added later.

"MINIMUM" Level: 3rd Grade

Evolving Planet - Field Museum of Natural History - Chicago, IL Visual tour of the history of dinosaurs (and mammals long ago). Also fossil pages. Many more online exhibits.

"MINIMUM" Level: 6th grade

How to Extract DNA from Anything Living Genetic Science Learning Center Follow the kitchen recipe!

"MINIMUM" Level: 9th grade

MOLECULAR MODELING - New York University [SELECT Quicktour or Hypermedia Textbook] In "Molecules" ones finds: Water Module (labs, simulations, activities, challenges, reviews); Carbon Chemistry (bonding, compounds, diamond, graphite, Buckyballs, kevlar); Photosynthesis (under development); Molecules of Life (access to protein molecules in archives at other sites); 3-D Modeling of Molecules (tutorials); Ask-a-Scientist Page. Also tutorials in 3-D imaging of geometrical solids.
How to Extract DNA from Anything Living Genetic Science Learning Center Follow the kitchen recipe!
Online Textbook of Bacteriology - Kenneth Todar, University of Wisconsin-Madison Course for learning the basics.

"MINIMUM" Level: University

CGSC: E.coli GENETIC STOCK CENTER - Yale University The CGSC maintains a database of E.coli genetic information, including genotypes and reference information for the several thousand strains in the CGSC collection, a gene list with map and gene product information, and information on specific mutations. The public version of the database includes the information of most interest to the community.
Prions: Infection by Protein: The Prion Theory of Disease - Journal of Young Investigators Prions (pronounced pree-ahns) cause diseases, but they aren't viruses or bacteria or fungi or parasites. They are simply proteins, and proteins were never thought to be infectious on their own.

"MINIMUM" Level: Graduate

Astrobiology - NASA Description of research and present status.

III. Biology of the Cell, Energetics, Reproduction, and Heredity

Subcategories include: Cell Structure & Membranes; Energy and Metabolism, Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis; and The Cell Cycle [Mitosis, Sexual Reproduction and Meiosis, Patterns of Inheritance, and Human Genetics].

"MINIMUM" Level: Kindergarten

To be added later.

"MINIMUM" Level: 3rd grade

Neuroscience for Kids- E.H. Chudler, University of Washington "...for elementary and secondary school students and teachers who would like to learn more about the nervous system. I hope you enjoy the activities and experiments on your way to learn more about the brain and spinal cord."
Cells Alive!- J. Sullivan Animated GIFs showing a variety of cell processes from T cell action, effects of penicillin on bacteria, and the division of bacteria to cell suicide, antibody production, and giardia and streptococci at work and play!

"MINIMUM" Level: 6th grade

Cells Alive!- J. Sullivan Animated GIFs showing a variety of cell processes from T cell action, effects of penicillin on bacteria, and the division of bacteria to cell suicide, antibody production, and giardia and streptococci at work and play!
Mutant Fruit Flies (simulated images) - Exploratorium, San Francisco One fruit fly should look pretty much like any other. But the flies here all look different from "normal" fruit flies. That's because mutation changes in each fly's genetic code have altered their colors and shapes. Altered wings, abnormal body color, odd colored eyes, strangely formed heads.
The Digital Anatomist - Univ. of Washington, Seattle Gallery of 'Digital Anatomist' interactive 3-D images (computer reconstructions): Brain and Thoracic Viscera.

"MINIMUM" Level: 9th grade

Gregor Mendel's Paper on Plant Genetics (in English and German) - R. B. Blumberg Selection of plants, forms of hybrids, first, second and subsequent generations, etc.
How to Extract DNA from Anything Living Genetic Science Learning Center Follow the kitchen recipe!
Cell Biology - The Biology Project, Biology, University of Arizona Activities, Problems sets, and Tutorials: Studying cells; Cell Cycle & Mitosis; Meiosis; Prokaryotes, Eukaryotes, & Viruses; Classifying Onion Cells
Amphibian Embryology Tutorial - J. Hardin, Dept. of Zoology, University of Wisconsin Multimedia presentation from fertilization to cleavage to neuralization, etc.
Human Biology - The Biology Project, Biology, University of Arizona Activities, Problems sets, and Tutorials: Human Genetics; DNA Forensics; Human Reproduction; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Blood Types
Whole Brain Atlas - K. Johnson & J. Becker, Harvard Top 100 brain structures images and quiz, plus movies and images of diseased brains. Includes a neuroimaging primer.
Cow's Eye Dissection - Exploratorium Step-by-step instructions!! Includes a primer on the cow's eye.
MOLECULAR MODELING - New York University [SELECT Quicktour or Hypermedia Textbook] In "Molecules" ones finds: Water Module (labs, simulations, activities, challenges, reviews); Carbon Chemistry (bonding, compounds, diamond, graphite, Buckyballs, kevlar); Photosynthesis (under development); Molecules of Life (access to protein molecules in archives at other sites); 3-D Modeling of Molecules (tutorials); Ask-a-Scientist Page. Also tutorials in 3-D imaging of geometrical solids.
METABOLIC PATHWAYS - Douter Pedro Silva, Universidade Fernando Pessoa Good selection!
Developmental Biology - The Biology Project, Biology, University of Arizona Activities, Problems sets, and Tutorials: Developmental Mechanisms for a variety of organisms

"MINIMUM" Level: University

METABOLIC PATHWAYS - Douter Pedro Silva, Universidade Fernando Pessoa Good selection!
Protein Data Bank Biological Macromolecular Resource
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY DATABASES - NIH Includes Databases at NIH; Indexes of Biology information servers from USGS; Other major Database Sites and Topic Specific Databases.
Psychology Tutorials - Psychology Dept. at Hannover College Auditory Perception, Basic Neural Functioning, Illusions Gallery, and Sensation and Perception. Quizzes, reviews, animations, etc.
Visible Embryo - UCSF Laboratories The Visible Embryo is an on-line tutorial teaching the first four weeks of human development. Self-test online!

"MINIMUM" Level: Graduate

British Medical Journal - R. Smith, Editor Journal articles on-line: "... namely to publish rigorous accessible information that will help doctors improve their practice and will influence the international debate on health. As well as informing and educating our readers, we hope to entertain and amuse them, too."
Medical Information (encompassing most illnesses and diseases) - Med Help International All medical information is offered to the patient in non-technical terminology, so that informed treatment decisions can be made within the short time lines dictated by their medical condition.
Cyanobacterial Research - M. Schneegurt, Purdue University Details of recent research and links.

IV. Molecular Genetics

Subcategories include: DNA & RNA: The Genetic Material, Genes and How They Work, Mutation, Recombination, and Gene Technology.

"MINIMUM" Level: Kindergarten

To be added when verified.

"MINIMUM" Level: 3rd grade

To be added when verified.

"MINIMUM" Level: 6th grade

How to Extract DNA from Anything Living Genetic Science Learning Center Follow the kitchen recipe!

"MINIMUM" Level: 9th grade

Cytogenetics Gallery - C. Wendin, D. Chapman, D. Adler, and K. Carroll, U. Washington. "Cytogenetics is the study of chromosomes and chromosome abnormalities. The purpose of this Cytogenetics Gallery is to give you the opportunity to see what chromosomes look like under the microscope and how abnormalities of chromosomes are identified."
DNA Learning Center - Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Complete Nucleotide sequences for teaching plasmids pAMP, pKAN, and pBLU.
Human Mitochondrial Genome - D.C. Wallace, M. T. Lott, and M. D. Brown, Emory University Complete Nucleotide sequences for Mitochondrial DNA. Function maps and function locations. Also genetic diseases associated with mitochondrial DNA.
Central Dogma of MOLECULAR GENETICS - M.I.T Hypertextbook The search for Genetic Material; Identification of DNA; DNA replication; Genetic code; Beauty of Mutations.
Molecular Biology - The Biology Project, Biology, University of Arizona Activities, Problems sets, and Tutorials: Molecular Genetics; Nucleic Acids; Recombinant DNA Technology; Eukaryotic Gene Expression
Prokaryotic Genetics and Gene Expression from the MIT Hypertextbook - M.I.T. Tools for studying prokaryotic genetics, biochemical genetics, Lac operation, etc.
HUMAN Genetic Idiogram Dispenser - D. Adler, U. of Washington School of Medicine The genetic idiograms can be manipulated band-by-band and can be used to make custom idiograms (translocations, inversions, deletions, insertions, etc.). Also has mouse idiogram.
Human Genome News Human genome creation in the lab updates and links.

"MINIMUM" Level: University

Theories on the Causes of Aging: Genetic, Immunological, etc. - C. Lewis Includes morphing of a younger author into the older one!
Toolkit for Visual Genetic Programming - Trowley, UIUC Images and ideas.
Human Gene Mutation Database - University of Wales College of Medicine Point Mutation database, Micro-Deletion database, and links to others.
GeneCards "GeneCards: a database integrating information about the functions of genes and their products, and of biomedical applications based on this knowledge."
A Yeast Genome Retrotransposons of S.cerevisiae. All 16 chromosomes.
National Center for Biotechnology Information - NIH and NLM GenBank sequence database; MedLine;links to research and many other databases.

"MINIMUM" Level: Graduate

V. Evolution

"MINIMUM" Level: Kindergarten

To be added when verified.

"MINIMUM" Level: 3rd grade

Learning from the Fossil Record - UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology Essays, activities, and lesson plans on fossils, paleontology, and the geologic time scale.
UC BERKELEY MUSEUM OF PALEONTOLOGY Interactive natural history museum in which you can select the geological time period of your interest.
DINOSAUR Dreaming in Australia - Paleolab, Monash University, Australia Dinosaur digs in Australia plus Common Questions.

"MINIMUM" Level: 6th - 9th grade

THE TREE OF LIFE - by David R. Maddison & Wayne P. Maddison, University of Arizona Text tree sequence starting with Eubacteria, Archeabacteria, Eukaryotes, and Viruses, and continuing to all subcategories.
Animal Diversity Web - University of Michigan Museum of Zoology "The Animal Diversity Web is a collection of pictures and information about animals. Accounts of individual species include information on distributions, natural history, conservation, and economic importance, along with pictures and sounds if available. Synopses of some higher taxonomic groups are also provided."
Evolution: Fact, Theory, and Rhetoric - Anthro, Ltd Basic questions for the theory to answer plus great examples: Panda's thumb; Snail soft prts; Eyes and the argument from design; The Elephant problem; Inheritance of human eye color; Inheritance of coat color in Shetland Sheepdogs; Quiz questions
Prominent Hominid Fossils - Talk Origins Archive "The list is sorted by species, going from older to more recent species. Within each species, finds are sorted by the order of their discovery."
Taxonomy Database Browser - NCBI at NIH Archaea, Eubacteria, Eukaryotae, Viroids, Viruses, plus direct links to some of the more popular organisms such as Homo Sapiens, E. coli, Rattus, etc. Get the lineage.

"MINIMUM" Level: University

Evolution FAQS - "talk.origins Archive" Evolutionary biology frequently asked questions and answers.
The Interactive Fly - T.B. Brody, Purdue University "A cyberspace guide to Drosophila genes and their roles in development."

"MINIMUM" Level: Graduate

VI. Ecology

"MINIMUM" Level: Kindergarten

To be added when verified.

"MINIMUM" Level: 3rd grade

Migratory Bird Research and Monitoring - National Biological Service Population maps of North American Breeding Birds, Grassland Birds, identification tips, and a Bird Quiz from the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center.
Microbial Ecology - Digital Learning Center for Microbial Ecology, Michigan State University ** Microbe Zoo - images and habitats **, plus Microbes in the News - stories, Meet the Scientists - profiles, Microbial Ecology Resources - listings.
BeeEYE: See the World through a bee's eye - A. Giger "...Have you ever wondered how other creatures see the world? Here you can find out. Well, at least you can find out how HONEY BEES see the world. Well, let's say you can find out what we THINK the world looks like to a bee. ..."

"MINIMUM" Level: 6th grade

Monterey Bay Habitats - Monterey Bay Aquarium [Select} "Virtual Dive into Monterey Canyon"

"MINIMUM" Level: 9th grade

Paleobiology - Smithsonian Institution "A recently recovered deep-sea core contains convincing new evidence of an asteroid impact 65 million years ago, when dinosaurs went extinct."
WhaleNet: Migration Routes for Whales, Porpoises, etc. by Satellite Tagging - J.M. Williamson, Wheelock College, Boston, and NSF Recent position data from satellite tagging of many marine mammals and reptiles. Lesson plan, questions, activities, maps.
Endangered Species Program - U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Boxscore of all U.S. and foreign endangered species, summary maps, U.S, state maps for plants and animals, as well as delisted species list.
Coral Reef Bleaching - Marine Biology Organization Diagrams, images, and references.
Near Real Time Oil Spill Detection - European Space Agency The main goal of the service is to serve end users with reliable information on possible oil spills within two hours after satellite overpasses.

"MINIMUM" Level: University

National Wetlands Inventory - National Spatial Data Infrastructure Federal geographic data, maps, and plant species.
Large Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia (LBA) - LBA Images, Science Plan, LBA data, etc.
Population Ecology - E. Radcliffe, U. of Minnesota Variety of information snippets about population dynamics, including human populations.
HazDat - ATSDR's Hazardous Substance Release/Health Effects Database - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services "...scientific and administrative database developed to provide access to information on the release of hazardous substances from Superfund sites or from emergency events and on the effects of hazardous substances on the health of human populations." Query and Search databases include: Site Activity Query, Site Contaminant Query, Toxicological Profile Query & Public Health Statement Text Search.
Flocking Simulations - Artificial Life - C. Reynolds Demos and numerous links.