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Cell Transport 6 min

Movement of ions in and out of cells is crucial to maintaining homeostasis within the body and ensuring that biological functions run properly. The natural movement of molecules due to collisions is called diffusion. Several factors affect diffusion rate: concentration, surface area, and molecular pumps. This activity demonstrates diffusion, osmosis, and active transport through 12 interactive models. Start by following the path of a molecule of dye in water, create concentration gradients on either side of a cell membrane and watch the movement of substances in and out of a cell, and monitor the movement of oxygen into red blood cells with and without hemoglobin.

Awesome interactive player

detailed fact sheet on transport in the kidney

Health care costs have been a hot button topic in recent years, and rightfully so. The United States spends an extraordinary amount of money on health care each year - $9,523 for every man, woman and child to be exact. This totals over 1 trillion dollars, accounting for roughly 17 percent of the United States' gross domestic product (GDP). The federal government spends 27 percent of its total budget on health care. Astonishingly more than it spends on the military, food and agriculture, education, transportation, and international affairs combined. So where is all the money going? Strangely enough, to combat just a few diseases.

Module 1: Understanding Bacteria Module 2: Farm Module 3: Processing and Transportation Module 4: Retail and Home Module 5: Outbreak and Future Technology Labs, videos, and activities in manual

Stress is implicated in increased tumor progression risk and poor survival in cancer patients. A number of recent studies have linked these effects to the promotion of tumor cell dissemination through the bloodstream via stress-induced pathways. Now, a mouse study led by researchers in Australia has revealed the mechanisms by which stress modulates cancer's spread through another transport network open to tumor cells-the lymphatic system.

This case study explores the topics of diffusion, osmosis, membrane transport, and the physiological significance of glucose and insulin in the human body. The story begins with a high school athlete, Timmy, who is incredibly efficient at metabolizing carbohydrates for energy; this is where the reader is introduced to normal carbohydrate digestion and metabolism for energy within skeletal muscle cells. As Timmy enters college, he withdraws from sports and physical activity but continues to consume massive amounts of highly soluble carbohydrates, resulting in insulin resistance and ultimately type II diabetes. Throughout the case students are prompted with conceptual questions and interactive figures that require the application and transfer of information they have been introduced to. Originally written for intermediate and advanced physiology courses that cover foundational and complex concepts in science, the case is also appropriate for courses in intermediate biology, nutritional sciences, animal sciences, and exercise sciences.

Was the "Brooklyn Butcher" of 1926 a cold-blooded killer or was something less sinister at play? This interrupted case study introduces students to hemoglobin binding and carbon monoxide poisoning by working through the details of a fictionalized account of a true-crime story. Topics covered include molecule conformational states, binding affinity, deoxyhemoglobin, oxyhemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin, and oxygen transport. Students also design an experiment to determine the cause of death of the victim. Prior to beginning the activity students should have some knowledge of the respiratory and circulatory systems and be familiar with oxygen binding curves. Detailed understanding of hemoglobin conformational changes is not necessary since this information is covered in the case. Students will also learn briefly about the electromagnetic spectrum and visible light. Originally developed for a non-majors, pre-nursing anatomy and physiology course, the case is also appropriate for use in any of the following courses: introductory biochemistry, introductory biology, introductory chemistry, nursing, exercise physiology, or possibly even introductory physics.

This flipped case study explores how the topics of membrane structure, transport, and signaling via membrane-bound receptors are intimately associated with the paralysis of muscle targeted by botulinum neurotoxin. The case scenario revolves around a fictitious socialite that has requested the assistance of her personal concierge physician with a condition that has developed after having participated in a Hamptons Botox party. The physician and a shadowing pre-med undergraduate chat about the molecular mechanisms behind Botox induced muscle paralysis. The case is designed as an engaging capstone exercise for students to gain appreciation for how knowledge of basic cellular and molecular biology mechanisms are essential for pharmaceutical development and medical patient diagnosis and prognosis. Written for an undergraduate general biology course, the case is also suitable for use in courses such as cellular biology, neurobiology, or human physiology.

Teacher website with great worksheets and links

7:26 animation on photosynthesis

47sec

Collection of Biology resources