Immunology and Evolution Experiment
In this activity, students “see” evolutionary relationships by testing and comparing simulated blood sera from several different animals. (No actual blood serum or any animal fluids are provided in the kit, instead, chemical solutions that react similarly to real serum are used.) Students first sensitize “rabbit serum” to “human serum” and then use it to test samples of “blood sera” from five different mammals. By using a modified procedure of the Nuttall precipitation technique, students rank the samples in terms of chemical similarity then use this ranking to infer evolutionary relationships.
Details at a Glance
- 1-2 Days | 1-2 ~50 minute class periods
- 1 Activity
- Accommodates 3 classes, each with 12 groups of 3 students
- Consumables service 108 students
- Meets our criteria for supporting literacy
- Includes digital resources
- Requires a water source
Scientific Concepts
•Different organisms often have homologous structures.
•Evolutionary relationships can be inferred from homologous structures.
•Serology can be used to determine similarities between blood types.
KEY VOCABULARY:
evolutionary relationship, homologous structure, serology
Guides & Student Sheets
Our kits and modules provide you with everything you need so you can open, review, and teach the material confidently the next day.
- Comprehensive Teacher Guide with background information, detailed instruction, example data and answers
- Student Sheets with age appropriate background information, full procedure(s), and analysis items
- Materials necessary for the investigation (beyond common classroom items)
- Safety Data Sheets
Kit Components
- 1 Teacher’s Guide with MSDS
- 30 Student Worksheets and Guides
- 12 Chemplates® w/spatula
- 2 Blood serum test I , Drop control bottle
- 2 Blood serum test II, Drop control bottle
- 2 Blood serum test III, Drop control bottle
- 2 Blood serum test IV , Drop control bottle
- 2 Blood serum test V , Drop control bottle
- 3 Synthetic human blood serum , Drop control bottle
- 3 Synthetic rabbit blood serum, Drop control bottles of
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