Text Page 3

Microscopes and Resolution - resolve to understand this topic!

• Aperture and Resolution - the design of the microscope affects resolution.
• Spatial Resolution - a good java simulation helps get across the concept of resolution.

Text Page 6

The Cell Theory - these links explore the development of the theory.

• The History of Cell Theory - excellent story, with illustrations.
• Cell Theory History - all the way back to ancient times.

Understanding and using The Scientific Method - a good overview of experimental design.
Designing Experiments Using the Scientific Method - for dummies? I don't think so! This is very well written.
Scientific Method - this page offers an extreme in-depth coverage of experimental design.
The Scientific Method - excellent overview and explanation of scientific method.

Text Page 7

Cellular Respiration - it has quite a bit in common with photosynthesis:

• Gas Exchange in Plants
• Cell Respiration and Photosynthesis

Text Page 8

Advanced Microscope Technologies and Techniques - more advanced methods of viewing cells:

• Fluorescence Microscopy - has a great image gallery.
• Darkfield Microscopy - some specimens are viewed better in the "dark".
• Phase Contrast Microscope - excellent for biological specimens, includes a simulator viewing area.
• Special Microscopy Techniques - a great primer on different techniques.
• Optical vs. Electron Microscopy - different ways of observing the microscopic.
• Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) - almost "like a slide projector".
• How a Scanning Electron Microscope works - narrated animation (QuickTime movie - be patient, takes time to load).
• Scanning Electron Microscope image gallery - very cool image gallery.
• Scanning Electron Microscope - has it all, a great SEM resource.

Text Pages 8-10

Cell Organelles of Animal and Plant Cells - organelles are specialized to perform a variety of functions.

• Virtual Cell Lab - a series of slides (click on the blue slide numbers) show all the cell organelles.
• Cell Structure and Processes - good sketches of the organelles.
• Cell Structures & Functions - excellent pictures.
• Cell Models - animal and plant cell models, interactive illustrations.
• Cell Differences - great illustrations and comparisons of plant to animal cells.
• Inside a Cell - an interactive tour.

Text Page 12

The Cell Membrane - the semi-permeable wonder of nature:

• Cell Membranes - good photos.
• The Cell Membrane - a well constructed student Web site.
• A Cell Membrane Water Channel - how does a cell move water in and out?
• Cell Membrane - also includes a great cell anatomy section.
• Membrane Proteins - some extend all the way through the membrane.
• Glycoproteins - in depth information about these cell membrane molecules.

Text Page 12

The Particle Model of Matter and Cell Transport - we must understand how particles move to understand the purpose of cell membranes.

• Membrane Transport - all methods explained, plus some with java-based animations.
• Transport In and Out of Cells - an excellent comprehensive page.
• Transport Across Cell Membranes - discussion of the problems cells face.

Text Pages 12-13

Diffusion - the natural movement of particles from high to low concentration.

• Simple Diffusion - explanation plus amazing flash animation.
• Transport by Simple Diffusion - the general rules.
• Diffusion Across Membranes - passive diffusion and active transport, with QuickTime movies.
• Diffusion - just a good picture.

Text Pages 12-13

Osmosis - simple diffusion of water molecules across a semi-permeable membrane.

• Osmosis - explained, with video.
• Osmosis - amazing video included that will download to your computer (requires RealPlayer)

Text Pages 15-16

A Cell's Ratio of Surface Area to Volume - survival is difficult for large cells:

• Why Are Cells So Small? - getting large has its disadvantages.
• Why Are Cells So Small? - mathematical considerations.
• Why Are Cells So Small? - SA:V ratio must be kept low.
• Compensating for a Low Surface Area: Volume Ratio - many solutions to the problem.

Text Pages 15-16

The Range of Ratios of Surface Area to Volume - all kinds of sizes out there in the cell world!

• Relative Size of Cells and their Components - puts things in perspective!
• Cells and their Sizes - wide ranges of size and shape.
• How Big is a... - nice animation.

Text Pages 17-18

Bacteria - all around us (and in us):

• What are Microbes: Bacteria - excellent overview, includes a QuickTime movie.
• Bacteria - discusses gram positive and negative.
• Bacteria Museum - how could the Internet be complete without a museum of bacteria?

Text Page 18

Anthrax - a disease that can be deadly:

• World Heath Organization: Anthrax - a very reliable source, check out the fact sheet.
• Center for Disease Control - a very comprehensive resource.

Text Pages 18-19

Viruses - so many different kinds!

• The Big Picture Book of Viruses - excellent pictures of viruses and also groups them in several different ways; by the diseases they cause, by the type of host they infect, and by scientific families.
• HIV and AIDS - a good general starting page.
• Introduction to Viruses - a great place to start your virus research.
• Hidden Killers: Deadly Viruses - virus basics, human defenses, and virus profiles.
• How AIDS Works - a very clear overview of the syndrome.

Text Pages 20-22

Mitosis - learn how cells divide;

• Cell Division: Binary Fission and Mitosis - highly detailed review of all the stages.
• Interactive Mitosis Tutorial - includes actual mitosis movie, requires Shockwave.
• How Cells Divide - a quality page from PBS.
• Cell Cycle and Mitosis Tutorial - try out this challenging tutorial and problem set. If you master it, move onto meiosis.
• Mitosis - an excellent Java animation to help you understand the process.

Text Pages 26-28

Asexual Reproduction - several different forms exist:

• Asexual Reproducers - page and video describing several organisms that reproduce asexually, along with the advantages and disadvantages. Part of the Evolution Library at PBS.
• The Advantage of Sex - an excellent essay hosted on the PBS evolution site.
• Flatworm Regeneration - some very interesting details.
• Plant Propagation - This page is mostly devoted to grafting and budding techniques, but it is very interesting and informative. Neat videos on grafting Texas pecans, too.

Text Pages 26-28

Conceiving a Clone - learn all about cloning, take part in cloning discussions, then create your own clone!

Text Page 30

Grafting - there are several special techniques to the art of grafting:

• Fruit Tree Grafting - the University of Minnesota does a great job of explaining the different techniques.
• Bark Grafting - excellent pictures guide you step by step through a bark graft.
• Grafting - an encyclopedia of grafts.

Text Pages 29-31

Meiosis - makes sexual reproduction possible:

• Meiosis Tutorial - another set of detailed stages with animations.
• Meiosis - an in depth review of the process.
• Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction - also compares mitosis and meiosis.
• What is Mitosis/Meiosis? - an excellent Shockwave presentation.
• Meiosis Tutorial - this one has good Shockwave animations, and focusses on what happens to the alleles.

Text Pages 36-37

Fetal Development - the changes that take place during development are amazing:

• Fetal Development Overview - good pictures and movies, with brief descriptions of develpment.
• Fetal Development: See How Your Baby Grows - development at every month.
• Fetal Development - more good illustrations.
• What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome? - description from one of the best sources, the National Organization on FAS.