Investigating Planarian Behavior and Regeneration

Topic
Resource Type
Description
This activity allows students to observe their own planarian and then design an experiment to investigate how planarians regenerate. It supports viewing of the video Identifying Key Genes in Regeneration.
In this hands-on lab activity, students use planarians as a model organism to study the remarkable process of regeneration. Students first observe the planarian’s physical and behavioral attributes. Student teams then formulate a hypothesis regarding the regenerative ability of planarians. Over two to three weeks, students care for their planarians and collect data to test their hypothesis. After completing their experiments, students view a video to learn about the role of stem cells in regeneration.
This activity is based on an article that is provided as a download.
Student Learning Targets
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Design and carry out an investigation.
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Use a model organism to gather evidence to support or refute claims/hypotheses.
Estimated Time
Key Terms
anterior, flatworm, multipotency, neoblast, posterior, regeneration, stem cell, totipotency
Primary Literature
Accorsi, Alice, Monique M. Williams, Eric J. Ross, Sofia M. C. Robb, Sarah A. Elliott, Kimberly C. Tu, and Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado. “Hands-On Classroom Activities for Exploring Regeneration and Stem Cell Biology with Planarians.” The American Biology Teacher 79, 3 (2017): 208–223. https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2017.79.3.208.
Terms of Use
Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.
Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)
Version History
NGSS (2013)
HS-LS1-2, HS-LS1-4; SEP1, SEP3, SEP4
AP Biology (2019)
ENE-3.D, IST-2.A, IST-2.D, IST-3.A; SP3
IB Biology (2016)
1.6, 2.1
Common Core (2010)
ELA.RST.9–12.3
Vision and Change (2009)
CC2; DP1