Science Take Out Kit
Use of Animals for Medical Testing
By Katie Hansen, Brooke Tisue and Daniel Graff
Summary of Activity
Test 1 Whole Brain: Students compare similarities and differences in brain structure and size.
Test 2 Brain Section Folds: Using cross sections of brains, students compare the number of folds between each.
Test 3 Nicotine Receptors: Students look at various brain tissue to determine if brain neurons have nicotine receptors.
Test 4 Nicotine Detoxifying Enzymes: Students drop liver enzymes on a test sheet and then look for bubbling once nicotine is detoxified.
Test 5 Proteins in Brain Fluid: Students simulate reading gel electrophoresis to determine similarities and differences in banding pattern.
Test 6 Differences in DNA sequences: Students count the differences between a human DNA sequences with the other various animals.
Analysis: Students analyze the annual cost of each animal as well as the ethical issues that arise with experimentation with animals.
Enzyme, Protein Bands, DNA Base Sequence Tests
Brain Anatomy & Antibody Receptors
Data Table
Science Practices Introduced in this Activity
Science Practice 4: The student can plan and implement data collection strategies appropriate to a particular scientific question.
Science Practice 5: The student can perform data analysis and evaluation of evidence.
Science Practice 6: The student can work with scientific explanations and theories.
Science Practice 7: The student is able to connect and relate knowledge across various scales, concepts and representations in and across domains.
Modifying Kit Materials to make More AP
2) Add an unknown to each test. Have students determine the evolutionary relationship between the unknown and the other animals.
Follow- Up Instruction or Extensions
2) Research a drug and figure out what animal was used and why.
3) Predict side effects of NicoBlock on chosen animal OR Predict how long it would take someone to stop smoking using NicoBlock.
4) Have groups of students complete different kits and present their kit to the class.
Content: Big Ideas, Enduring Understandings, Essential Knowledge
Enduring Understandings / Essential Knowledge: 1A1, 1B1, 1B2
Big Idea 2: Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.
Enduring Understandings / Essential Knowledge: 2E1
Big Idea 3: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit and respond to information essential to life processes.
Enduring Understandings / Essential Knowledge: 3B2, 3D1, 3E2
CER
Evidence: The 6 different tests performed.
Reasoning: 5 of the 6 tests indicated baboons were similar if not identical to humans.