Lessons on Organ Systems and Organism Behavior

Keeping with the traditional idea of organization of living systems, this section focuses on the higher levels of organ systems and organism levels. Both animal- and plant-related resources are included. Since behavior includes the concept of homeostasis, has evolutionary roots, is related to both genetics and environment, and is adaptive, we have included resources addressing those topics as well.

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Body Control Center http://www.teachersdomain.org/6-8/sci/life/reg/bodycontrol/index.html

Throughout the day, your nervous system monitors and makes endless adjustments to your body's basic systems — all to keep you alive. This interactive feature illustrates the complexity of such a task. MSP full record

Inside the Human Body: The Respiratory System http://www.lung.ca/children/index_kids.html

This web site from the Canadian Lung Association contains an excellent collection of learning resources about the respiratory system for grades 1-12. Older students focus in on smoking, air pollution, and other issues in addition to covering respiratory system biology. The site also offers a teachers' guide. MSP full record

Reptile Adaptations http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/reptileadaptations/index.html

In this two- to three-day lesson plan, students research a reptile, make a diagram of that reptile, and label the animal's adaptations. Included are the objectives, needed materials, procedures, adaptations, a rubric for evaluation, extension activities, suggested reading, links to other sites, and vocabulary. Students will understand that adaptations can be both physical and behavioral. MSP full record

Biology of Plants http://www.mbgnet.net/bioplants/

This nicely organized, highly visual site has several subsections, each aligning with the national standards. Topics include characteristics of living things, germination and growth, the basic parts of plants, otherwise known as the organs and organ systems, photosynthesis, reproduction, and ecological adaptations of plants. MSP full record

Feeding Facilitation: A Lesson in Evolution and Sociobiology http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEC/AEF/1995/bejda_feeding.html

This is an outdoor activity designed to demonstrate evolution of feeding behavior in flocking, schooling, or herding animals that maximizes allocation of food resources and enhances survival. Students simulate foraging by searching for and gathering toothpicks. The activity shows the relationships among the energy costs of foraging, predator avoidance, flocking behavior, and evolution. Though written for high school students, the activity is easily adapted for younger students. MSP full record

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Copyright August 2007 — The Ohio State University. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0424671. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.