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This exercise can be used to stimulate the investigative nature of learners as they use forensic plant pathology techniques to prove the learners' innocence in a mock murder investigation. Learners examine the cleistothecia of plant leaves infected with powdery mildew disease with a compound microscope to identify the type of appendages present. The fungi are identified to genus using the appendage type and the number of asci (spore-containing sacs) inside each cleistothecium using both a written and an illustrated key. Learners compare their samples to the evidence found at the scene of the crime to prove their own innocence. Note: This lab works best in regions that experience cold weather for part of the year.
- 30 to 45 minutes
- 45 to 60 minutes
- 1 cent - $1 per group of students
- Ages 11 - 18
- Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan, Simulation
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Four empty envelopes
- Envelopes with pressed, dried, leaf material infected with powdery mildew and covered with cleistothecia
- Pen or marker
- Scissors
- Paper (for key)
- Several black permanent markers or wax pencils
- Dissecting microscopes
- Compound microscopes
- Clear tape
- Petri dishes
- Forceps
- Several microscope slides
- Water in dropper bottles
- Case Study Sheet
- Forensic Key and Diagrams to the Genera of Powdery Mildew Fungi
Subjects
-
Life Sciences
-
Diversity of Life
- Protists and Fungi
- Classification
-
Diversity of Life
-
Mathematics
-
Data Analysis and Probability
- Data Analysis
- Data Collection
-
Data Analysis and Probability
-
The Nature of Science
-
The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
- Gathering Data
- Formulating Explanations
- Communicating Results
-
The Scientific Process
Informal Categories
- Crime Science
- Nature and Environment
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- see color
- read
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Components that are part of this resource:
- Purpose and Background Information
- Materials and Methods
- Lesson Plan
- Supplemental Information and References
- Materials for Class Use
- Images for Class Use
- Case Study Sheet
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- Ruhl, Gail
Rights:
- All rights reserved, The American Phytopathological Society, 2011