Abuse-a-Cyst

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In this activity, learners examine how brine shrimp populations can survive in some of the harshest environments. Learners subject brine shrimp cysts to extreme conditions to evaluate the hardiness of these creatures.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Learning Time:
1 to 7 days
Estimated Materials Cost:
Over $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 11 - 18
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • Copies of lab sheets
  • Brine shrimp cysts (available from a number of biological supply companies)
  • 3% salt solution (water and Instant OceanTM or non-ionized salt)
  • 100 mL or larger containers for hatching the cysts
  • Aquarium pump and flexible tubing (optional)
  • Various materials to mimic environmental extremes (see page 8 for ideas)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
      • Animals
    • Ecology
      • Populations
    • Evolution
      • Mechanisms of Evolution
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results

Informal Categories

  • Animals
  • Nature and Environment

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Teach.Genetics, University of Utah

Source Collection

  • Teach.Genetics

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, University of Utah, 2009

Funding Sources:

  • Westminster College
  • Utah's WIRED (Workforce Innovation In Regional Economic Development) program