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Promotes accurate understanding and comprehensive teaching of evolutionary theory for a wide audience Explores the practical applications of evolutionary principles in daily life and the impact of evolutionary theory on culture and society throughout history Offers teaching tools such as unit and lesson plans and classroom activities, as well as additional online content such as podcasts and powerpoint presentations

9:14 video Have you ever wondered how life first got started on Earth? So do scientists! Though the question has not yet been fully answered, a careful study of Chemical Evolution is beginning to shed light on this mystery. In this film you will learn what Chemical Evolution is, how it works, and how it is different from Biological Evolution.

Are viruses life forms or not? Scientists have been fighting about it for years, and Anthony has more on the latest wrinkle in this seemingly simple yet age-old debate.

When life emerged on Earth about 4 billion years ago, the earliest microbes had a set of basic genes that succeeded in keeping them alive. In the age of humans and other large organisms, there are a lot more genes to go around. Where did all of those new genes come from? Carl Zimmer examines the mutation and multiplication of genes.

This video excerpt from NOVA uncovers the genetic mystery that nearly killed Alexis, now 14, and introduces the debate surrounding genetic testing at birth. After diagnosing Alexis and her twin brother Noah with cerebral palsy at a young age, doctors later discovered that the twins shared a rare genetic mutation that led to a condition that mimics cerebral palsy. The twins improved after receiving treatment, but then Alexis took a turn for the worse. Thanks to whole genome sequencing, doctors discovered a second problem linked to the mutation and gave her a different treatment that saved her life.

The origin of viruses remains mysterious because of their diverse and patchy molecular and functional makeup. Although numerous hypotheses have attempted to explain viral origins, none is backed by substantive data. We take full advantage of the wealth of available protein structural and functional data to explore the evolution of the proteomic makeup of thousands of cells and viruses. Despite the extremely reduced nature of viral proteomes, we established an ancient origin of the "viral supergroup" and the existence of widespread episodes of horizontal transfer of genetic information. Viruses harboring different replicon types and infecting distantly related hosts shared many metabolic and informational protein structural domains of ancient origin that were also widespread in cellular proteomes. Phylogenomic analysis uncovered a universal tree of life and revealed that modern viruses reduced from multiple ancient cells that harbored segmented RNA genomes and coexisted with the ancestors of modern cells. The model for the origin and evolution of viruses and cells is backed by strong genomic and structural evidence and can be reconciled with existing models of viral evolution if one considers viruses to have originated from ancient cells and not from modern counterparts.

JoAnn Burkholder and her associates at North Carolina State University were the pioneer investigators in the Pfiesteria research, which our group of Old Dominion colleagues has since pursued. Burkholder was the first scientist to link the 1991 fish deaths to Pfiesteria, based on her team's on-site investigations and controlled laboratory studies. In addition, she observed a complicated life cycle in the organism, including numerous morphological forms such as motile flagellated cells, amoebae and cysts that are able to survive in the sediment of estuaries until activated by the presence of fish to produce toxic motile cells. 

3:35 video Enzymes are the critical ingredient in every organism that make life possible. They are catalysts and drive every chemical reaction that takes place in the human body, enabling our bodies to be built from proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In this program from VEA we investigate the role of enzymes in detail, offering both theoretical and practical examples.

Want to know how much bacteria we host within our body and how many we encounter on a daily basis well check out this clip from Life On Us where we will see the different types of bacteria that inhabit us like Demodex Folliculorum which is a face mite...

Lib Guide for Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Comprehensive discussion question list

In this interrupted case study, students will help Dr. Gupta investigate and assess complications arising in one of her long-term patients, Jorge Alvarez. Jorge was diagnosed with Type II diabetes mellitus 10 years ago as documented in "Living the Sweet Life," an optional prequel case study also in the NCCSTS collection. Jorge has been working with Dr. Gupta to manage his condition, but this year he has come under additional stress, both emotionally and financially, and his health has deteriorated. Jorge now presents with several new signs and symptoms, including numbness, tingling and burning sensations, and a foot sore that just won't heal. Students will review the nervous system and assess Jorge's symptoms, vitals, and blood tests to determine if his diabetes has worsened. Students will also learn about tests used to diagnose types of neuropathy and consider which of them would be most beneficial for Jorge. In addition to a non-majors anatomy and physiology course, this case study may be appropriate for an introductory biology, nutrition/dietetics, or a sensory and perception course.

Imagine you swallowed a small bird and suddenly gained the ability to fly … or you ate a cobra and were able to spit poisonous venom! Well, throughout the history of life (and specifically during the evolution of complex eukaryotic cells) things like this happened all the time. Adam Jacobson explains endosymbiosis, a type of symbiosis in which one symbiotic organism lives inside another.

"Scientists have sequenced the complete genome of the naked mole rat, a pivotal step to understanding the animal's extraordinarily long life and good health."

" The typical naked mole rat lives 25 to 30 years, during which it shows little decline in activity, bone health, reproductive capacity and cognitive ability. What is the secret to this East African rodent's long, healthy life?"

Scientists have confirmed that the pathogen that causes Lyme Disease -- unlike any other known organism -- can exist without iron, a metal that all other life needs to make proteins and enzymes. Instead of iron, the bacteria substitute manganese to make an essential enzyme, thus eluding immune system defenses that protect the body by starving pathogens of iron.

University of Washington Institute for Science and Mathematics Education has created partnerships to envision, cultivate, and study equity-focused educational models and practices in areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We do this work across the K-12 grade span and across formal and informal learning environments. We believe that all young people should be able to decide their own futures. Their opportunity to learn in STEM fields plays a critical role in their opportunity to do so now and in the future. We develop innovative projects that seek to deliver on this goal and closely study them to develop knowledge about how to broaden participation in STEM. The Institute is strongly affiliated with the Learning in Informal and Formal Environments (LIFE) Center.

In the deep, dark ocean, many sea creatures make their own light for hunting, mating and self-defense. Bioluminescence expert Edith Widder was one of the first to film this glimmering world. At TED2011, she brings some of her glowing friends onstage, and shows more astonishing footage of glowing undersea life.

While surveying the seafloor last fall, a research vessel spotted bubbles rising from the depths. Now, another ship has gone back to investigate, and found a variety of life on the seafloor surrounding a methane seep, according to an update from researchers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

8:13 One of the greatest mysteries is not whether ghosts are real or if there's alien life. The mystery is us. Here are some simple things our body does that science still can't figure out.