Vernier Software & Technology » Biology

Celebrating Brain Awareness Week (March 11-17th)

rludwig — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 20:43:36 +0000

Ox Motor Neuron – Dr. John Melville

Now that neuroscience is a topic covered in one of the “big ideas” in the new AP Biology curriculum, many teachers have been asking how Vernier sensors can be used to teach concepts related to neuroscience.

For more information about Brain Awareness Week, visit the Society For Neuroscience web site.

Free, downloadable neurology slide images are available to introduce Brain Awareness Week to your class. Thanks to Dr. John Melville for the images. Download the slides

Activities related to neuroscience are listed below:

Innovative Uses

STEM Extensions

Eye-Controlled LED

Human Physiology with Vernier

Advanced Biology with Vernier

Introduction to Neurotransmitters using AChE

Biology with Vernier

Investigating Biology through Inquiry

Heart Rate

Celebrate Darwin’s Birthday with Evolution Labs

David — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 21:01:16 +0000

Now that evolution is one of the “big ideas” in the new AP Biology curriculum, many teachers have been asking how our sensors can be used to teach concepts in evolution.

With this in mind, our Biology staff scientist, John Melville, developed several innovative ways to investigate evolution using Vernier products for Darwin’s birthday on February 12th. All of these investigations can be found in our Investigating Biology through Inquiry lab book.

Evolution-related Activities from Investigating Biology through Inquiry

Evolution of Cellobiase using SpectroVis Plus
Introduction to Molecular Evolution using White Digital Bioimaging System
Evolution of Yeast using CO₂ Gas Sensor

Video Analysis and Muscle Physiology

washworth — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:51:08 +0000

Our biology staff scientist, John Melville, has been working with our new LabQuest Mini and has found a way to integrate video analysis into a simple muscle physiology experiment. EKG sensors are attached to the bicep and forearm muscles to record muscle activity. A Low-g Accelerometer is then attached to the wrist to measure joint angle. The video capture feature in Logger Pro is then used to synchronize video from a DV camera and the physiological data from the LabQuest Mini. The subject is filmed performing a simple bicep curl. Students can then clearly see that muscle activity precedes movement of the arm and that the forearm muscle activity precedes activation of the bicep.

Continue reading Video Analysis and Muscle Physiology…

Use the SpectroVis Plus to Explore Fluorescence Spectroscopy

washworth — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:49:09 +0000

Fluorescent molecules are compounds that absorb light of one wavelength, then re-emit light at a longer wavelength. This emitted light can be quantified using fluorescence spectroscopy. Molecular and cellular biologists use fluorescent compounds to label proteins, gels, and even cellular organelles. In many ways, fluorescent compounds have revolutionized research in the life sciences.

Continue reading Use the SpectroVis Plus to Explore Fluorescence Spectroscopy…

Record Electric Signals from an Electric Fish!

washworth — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:39:13 +0000

With its increased frequency response and external grounding pin, our new and improved Instrumentation Amplifier can now be used to record the electric signal from an electric fish with four easy steps.

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SpectroVis Plus

washworth — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:16:41 +0000

Vernier has updated its popular spectrometer with improved features:

Improved range: 380-950 nm (VIS-NIR)
1 nm between reported values
Improved optical resolution (~2.5 nm)
New support for fluorescence

Available March 2010

Learn more about the SpectroVis Plus »

Tris-Compatible Flat pH Sensor

washworth — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:03:11 +0000

This double-junction pH sensor is compatible with Tris buffers and solutions containing proteins. The flat shape is also useful for food and soil pH measurements.

Available February 2010

Learn more about the Tris-Compatible Flat pH Sensor »

White Digital Bioimaging System

washworth — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:59:59 +0000

The White Digital Bioimaging System allows you to view non-fluorescent, visible stain gels, capture the image digitally on a computer and analyze the data using Logger Pro software, making gel analysis less tedious and produce better results.

Forestry Survey using a Vernier GPS

washworth — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:42:34 +0000

In late October 2005, employees from Vernier participated in a tree planting event in conjunction with the organization Friends of Trees. We planted 200 trees in the wetlands area surrounding nearby Beaverton Creek. As part of the 2009 Earth Day activities, David Vernier and Jim McBride checked on the trees. They used a LabQuest and our Vernier GPS Sensor to note the position and type of each surviving tree.

Continue reading Forestry Survey using a Vernier GPS…

Vernier Used Around the GLOBE

washworth — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:55:50 +0000

Is the heat given off by 500 people enough to change the temperature inside a large auditorium? How does the temperature and salinity of a tide pool compare to that of the nearby ocean water? These were just two of the questions posed to about 250 students from 52 countries who gathered in Cape Town, South Africa, this summer for the GLOBE Learning Expedition (GLE). And of course, Vernier equipment was used to investigate the answers to those questions.

Continue reading about Vernier Used Around the Globe…