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Icefish Blood Adaptations: Viscosity

Topic
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Evolution
  • Natural Selection
  • Science Practices
  • Models & Simulations
Resource Type
  • Activities
  • Labs & Demos
Level
High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IB
Favorited By
5 Users
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Description

This hands-on lab activity serves as an introduction to the film The Birth and Death of Genes. Students simulate and compare how blood pumps through the circulatory system of icefish and other fish.

The activity allows students to explore a key adaptation described in the film: the low  viscosity of icefish blood. By creating a model of icefish blood and exploring its properties, students are motivated to think about how blood viscosity might be important to survival in sub-zero temperatures. They then watch the film to learn more about the evolutionary process.

Student Learning Targets
  • Explain the importance of different adaptations (in particular, low blood viscosity) to the survival of icefish.

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

Details
Estimated Time
One 50-minute class period.
Key Terms

adaptation, hemoglobin, natural selection, oxygen, red blood cell, trait, viscosity

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

The documents for this resource have been remediated to comply with Section 508 of the National Rehabilitation Act for accessibility and can be used with screen readers.
Version History
Date Published 03.07.11
Date Updated 11.02.18
Curriculum Connections
NGSS (2013)

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

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-1.C, EVO-1.E, IST-2.E, SYI-3.A, SYI-3.D, IST-4.A; SP1, SP2

IB Biology (2016)

5.2, 6.2

AP Environmental Science (2013)

II.C

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
Educator Materials (PDF) 226 KB
Student Handout (PDF) 212 KB
Additional Materials
  • corn syrup (e.g., Karo syrup)

  • tap water

  • clear plastic cups or beakers

  • 60-mL syringes (without needles)

  • felt-tipped markers

  • graduated cylinder

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

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