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Icefish Blood Adaptations: Antifreeze Proteins

Photo of icefish in the wild

Topic

  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Evolution
  • Natural Selection
  • Scientific Skills & Literacy
  • Visual & Physical Models

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Labs & Demos

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IB
Saved By
22 Users
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Description

This hands-on activity serves as an introduction to the film The Birth and Death of Genes. Students investigate the importance of antifreeze proteins for icefish survival through one of two short labs.

The activity includes two short labs that allow students to explore a key adaptation introduced in the film: antifreeze proteins in the blood. By creating models icefish blood and exploring its properties, students are motivated to think about how having blood that does not freeze in Antarctic waters might be an important adaptation for certain fish. They then watch the film to learn more about this evolutionary process.

Student Learning Targets

  • Explain the importance of different adaptations (in particular, antifreeze proteins) to the survival of notothenioids.

  • Use models to make scientific claims based on evidence and reasoning.

Estimated Time

One 50-minute class period.

Key Terms

antifreeze protein, freezing point, ice crystal, mutation, trait, variation

Terms of Use

The resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. No rights are granted to use HHMI’s or BioInteractive’s names or logos independent from this Resource or in any derivative works.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 03.07.11
Date Updated 11.02.18

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1-1, HS-LS4-2, HS-LS4-4; SEP2, SEP6

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-1.C, EVO-1.E, EVO-1.H, EVO-1.J, EVO-1.O, SYI-3.A, SYI-3.D; SP1, SP2

IB Biology (2016)

3.1, 5.2, 6.2

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 2.6, 2.4
Learning Objectives & Practices: ERT-2.H, ERT-2.F, SP3, SP5

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

3.2

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9–12.3, ELA.WHST.9–12.1

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1, CC2, CC5; DP1, DP3

Materials

Download Educator Materials (PDF) 364 KB
Download Student Handout (PDF) 273 KB

Additional Materials

various lab materials (see the “Educator Materials” for the full list)

Use This Resource With

Video Resource
The Making of the Fittest: The Birth and Death of Genes

Explore Related Content

Other Resources About Icefish

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Photo of an icefish in sub-freezing water
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The Making of the Fittest: The Birth and Death of Genes
Photo of arctic waters
Film Activities
Activity for The Birth and Death of Genes
Photo of a researcher comparing icefish blood to bass blood
Labs & Demos
Icefish Blood Adaptations: Viscosity
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Lessons
How Novel Icefish Genes Can Improve Human Health
Screen shot of the icefish quiz screen
Interactive Videos
Interactive Assessment for The Birth and Death of Genes

Other Related Resources

Showing of
Photo of a researcher comparing icefish blood to bass blood
Labs & Demos
Icefish Blood Adaptations: Viscosity
Photo of an icefish in sub-freezing water
Short Films
The Making of the Fittest: The Birth and Death of Genes
Photo of arctic waters
Film Activities
Activity for The Birth and Death of Genes
Photo of an icefish in sub-freezing water
Lessons
How Novel Icefish Genes Can Improve Human Health
Screen shot of the icefish quiz screen
Interactive Videos
Interactive Assessment for The Birth and Death of Genes
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