Topics in Biology and Geology

Synopsis

Seven activities designed as science learning resources: 1) Holly Leaf Miner: explores the biology of this insect and its predators, showing how to undertake a biological project to quantify mortality factors in this insect; 2) Cells and Energy: investigates the structure and function of organelles found in cells by exploring the pathway of glucose oxidation and the reactions of photosynthesis; 3) Mitosis, Meiosis and Recombination: investigates cell division, looking at the accompanying process of nuclear division, mitosis and the two successive nuclear divisions of meiosis, a process that accompanies the production of gametes. Also examines the behaviour of chromosomes during meiosis, giving rise to genetic variation.
4) Galapagos: Adaptation and Evolution on Islands: observes animals and plants found on the Galapagos Islands, explores the concept of adaptation and identifies relationships between the lifestyle, diet and habitat of an organism and its appearance. Also looks at how variation and natural selection can lead to evolutionary change, and eventually to the development of new species; 5) Properties of Minerals: introduces six properties of minerals - colour, shape, lustre, hardness, cleavage and response to the acid test - and uses three-dimensional models and virtual experiments to investigate each property; 6) Minerals Gallery: investigates the properties of ten minerals using models of both the minerals and their molecular structures; 7) A Geological Field Trip: three virtual field visits to sites in south-west Britain, introducing basic geological field techniqes and investigating sedimentary rocks from the Permian and Triassic periods.

Series

Discovering Science, Course S103

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Multimedia; CD-ROM. PC Windows version only.

Year of production

1998

Availability

Sale; 1999 sale: £29.99 (+VAT +p&p)

Documentation

Accompanying printed activity and summary notes.

Subjects

Biology; Environmental science

Keywords

cells; evolution; Galapagos Islands; insects; meiosis; minerals; mitosis; organelles; photosynthesis; sedimentary rocks

Distribution Formats

Type

CD-ROM

Production Company

Name

BBC Open University Productions

Distributor

Name

Open University Worldwide

Web

http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0) 1908 274066

Address

Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

Notes

NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk