Skip to main content
HHMI BioInteractive
  • Español
  • Site Search
  • Log In/Create Account
  • BioInteractive Resources
  • Planning Tools
  • Professional Development
  • About Us

Icefish Blood Adaptations: Viscosity

Photo of a researcher comparing icefish blood to bass blood

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
6 Users
Share This

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.

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 (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 03.07.11
Date Updated 11.02.18

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1-1, HS-LS4-4; 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 (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

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

Explore Related Content

Other Resources About Icefish

Showing of
Photo of arctic waters
Film Activities
Activity for The Birth and Death of Genes
Photo of icefish in the wild
Labs & Demos
Icefish Blood Adaptations: Antifreeze Proteins
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
Photo of an icefish in sub-freezing water
Short Films
The Making of the Fittest: The Birth and Death of Genes

Other Related Resources

Showing of
Photo of icefish in the wild
Labs & Demos
Icefish Blood Adaptations: Antifreeze Proteins
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
Photo of an icefish in sub-freezing water
Short Films
The Making of the Fittest: The Birth and Death of Genes
Image from the activity
Labs & Demos
Variations in the Clam Species Clamys sweetus
Computer image from the video
Clips
Kidney Function
Computer model of the heart
Animations
Heart Function
Chart taken from the data points paper.
Data Points
Diving Adaptations in Sea Nomads
Image from the activity
Labs & Demos
Battling Beetles
HHMI BioInteractive
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Newsletter Signup
  • HHMI.org
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility