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The lab includes a number of short videos explaining aspects of research methods or relating the evolutionary history of stickleback fish. We recommend that you view these videos, especially when going through the lab for the first time. Throughout the lab, bolded words in the text are defined in the glossary under the "Reference" tab.

virtual lab on deformed amphibians with reference to original research

The virtual lab includes four modules that investigate different concepts in evolutionary biology, including adaptation, convergent evolution, phylogenetic analysis, reproductive isolation, and speciation. Each module involves data collection, calculations, analysis and answering questions. The "Educators" tab includes lists of key concepts and learning objectives and detailed suggestions for incorporating the lab in your instruction.

Alternative labs list- AP biology teachers submit a curriculum for review and approval and must include laboratory exercises that align with their core ideas. Some of the recommended labs may be too expensive or too time consuming for your class. Listed below are some alternatives that may be acceptable as part of your overall biology curriculum.

This interrupted case study introduces the topic of bacterial sporulation and cannibalism in Bacillus subtilis. The storyline follows Susan and her lab mates who are presenting research at a lab meeting when Susan falls asleep and dreams they are stranded on a deserted island. She makes connections between their fight for survival in the dream and the survival mechanisms of the bacteria they study in the lab. The benefits of sporulation under conditions of sustained stress are fairly obvious, but Susan's dream is used to examine the idea that sporulation may not always be beneficial and that bacteria would not want to commit to entering such a state in response to temporary stresses. Through the analysis of actual data from the scientific literature, students uncover a mechanism by which B. subtilis delays its commitment to sporulation by killing members of its own species to release nutrients (i.e., cannibalism). Originally developed for a general undergraduate microbiology course when discussing the structure and growth of prokaryotic cells, the case could also be used in an introductory biology course that emphasizes bacteria and data literacy.

3:09 video RNA may have been the origin of life on Earth. Go on a whirlwind tour of RNA's evolving role through billions of years of evolutionary history. Play the RNA Lab: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/labs/lab...

Many of these labs allow students to test multiple variables. Caution: the journal and data entry sections of the simulations do not work, so you probably will want to arrange for students to write these on their own pages. Many of these labs are useful to substitute for activities in the class that are too costly, dangerous, or time consuming. I have assigned grades to some that I've explored in detail. Grades are based on interactivity, useability, and overall value of the exploration. Many of these can be used as simple class demonstrations, whereas others are more useful for having students explore and change variables.

Teacher site with solid resources, including Literacy Labs. "Literacy Lab" assignments are going to be introduced as the year progresses to assure that students are exposed to the literacy aspects of the soon to be developed and implemented Common Core Standards.

Transgenic organisms, which contain DNA that is inserted experimentally, are used to study many biological processes. In this lab, you will create a transgenic fly to study circadian rhythms.

Nature's best kept secret is a wonder molecule called RNA. It is central to the origin of life, evolution, and the cellular machinery that keeps us alive. In this Lab you'll play the role of a molecular engineer by solving RNA folding puzzles. Then take your skills to Eterna, where you can design RNAs that could be at the heart of future life-saving therapies.

Every day, billions of new cells are produced, so mitosis occurs billions of times. Whether it's for new skin cells, muscle cells, or onion root cells, the process of mitosis is the same. In this lab, the student observes chromosomes and identifies specific steps in the process of mitosis.

Flinn Scientific has launched a website with an extensive amount of resources specifically developed to help teachers, students and parents continue their science education journey - even if that learning is taking place outside the classroom or laboratory environment. Examples of some of the resources we have developed: Free video labs with related teacher and student guides to help students at home continue making progress on key science topics More than 40 free, easy and fun-to-do activities that use commonly available materials to encourage science investigation in the home Flinn's unique digital learning solutions to facilitate seamless science learning. These online solutions are the perfect way to efficiently scale curriculum in an at-home setting - also free of charge On call scientists: over the coming days, we will be releasing video based lab experiments conducted by our scientific staff and broadcast from our studio with live events. As part of each live event, we will have our full team of scientists available to answer questions from teachers and students participating online - also free of charge and highly interactive and engaging. Be sure to check out our online calendar indicating the live schedule

Virtual Restriction Enzyme Lab

Paul Andersen explains the two major portions of the molecular biology lab in AP Biology. He starts by discussing the process of transformation. He explains how you can use the pGLO plasmid to produce glowing E. coli bacteria. He then describes how you can use restriction enzymes and the process of gel electrophoresis to cut and separate DNA.

In this laboratory you will use some basic tools of molecular biology to gain an understanding of some of the principles and techniques of genetic engineering. In the first part of the lab, you will use antibiotic-resistance plasmids to transform Escherichia coli. In the second part, you will use gel electrophoresis to separate fragments of DNA for further analysis.

When an elementary school teacher calls in sick to work, she finds out that she is not the only one who will be missing school that day.  Children from her fifth grade class have also become ill and parents are calling to report the absences. The concerned principal of the school finds out the fifth grade class had a field trip to one of the local parks the day before. The case shows the areas visited by the class and provides discussion between the principal and a physician that teaches the readers about water quality and EPA standards for bacteria levels in recreational water. The case has an optional lab component that provides the theory for three methods that can be used to conduct microbial water analyses.  Procedures are included for teachers to lead a lab activity to test water to identify which location in the park caused the illness. This case study and accompanying laboratory activity are recommended for an environmental engineering course or a lower level science course.

This lab will let you explore various diseases: Kold, a caricature of the common cold; Impfluenza, which resembles influenza; Neasles, with the high transmission rate of measles; and Red Death, a fast-spreading epidemic with a high mortality rate. What factors come into play in the spread of these diseases? And what can we do to counter them?

Links to wide array of virtual labs

As you learned in Unit 4, ecosystems are a complex and delicate balancing game. The addition or removal of one species affects many other species with which it might compete for, or provide food. In this lab you will get a chance to "build your own" ecosystem, and explore the effects of these interrelationships.

The Virtual Biology Lab Project is designed to provide interactive activities that demonstrate ecological principles. We provide agent-based models that simulate classic ecological experiments or concepts across a wide range of ecological topics. Students manipulate experimental parameters and observe the results. These results are provided numerically and graphically and are reinforced with a visualization of the model's "world". The content is suitable for advanced high-school and college students.