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Unit A: Biological Diversity

Bob Hanner

Bob Hanner

Professor

Bob Hanner is a Professor for the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario & Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph.
Bee on flower covered in pollen

Pollinators are Important!

STEM Explained

Insects and other animals that are pollinators of plants play an important role in ecosystems.

Madiha Khan à son bureau

Madiha Khan

Patent Examiner

Madiha Khan is a Patent Examiner at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
Calico cat

The Science Behind the Calico Cat's Colours

STEM Explained

The patchwork fur colour of Calico and tortoiseshell cats is an interesting case of genetics, heredity and sex-linked traits.

Kara Layton sous l'eau en habit de plongée sous-marine

Kara Layton

Postdoctoral Fellow

Kara Layton is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Students collaborating

Introduction to the Fish Market Survey

Lessons

In this introductory activity, students will read two articles about the issue of fish mislabelling and complete two graphic organizers to identify the issue, its implications and possible solutions. They will complete the organizers individually and in pairs, and then discuss the results with the whole class.

Red-haired woman

The Chemistry of Redheads

STEM Explained

Learn how chemistry and genetics makes redheads stand out from the crowd.

fossil plants and animals

Why Scientists Believe in Evolution

STEM Explained

Scientists have accumulated so much evidence in the theory of evolution that it is one of the most widely-accepted theories in science.

Arctic pack ice

Why Don't Fish Freeze in Cold Arctic Waters?

STEM Explained

Ever wonder how fish survive in the cold waters of the Arctic and Antarctic? It’s partly because of a brilliant evolutionary adaptation.

Red Onion, Parsnips, Lettuce

Vegetables

Picture Collections

14 images of some plants such as carrots, cabbage and leeks whose roots, stems or leaves are used for food

DNA barcoding used to test food

The Classification of Life: From Linnaeus to DNA Barcoding

Backgrounders

Learn about two taxonomy systems that scientists use to classify the life around us.

Cartoon mammoth

Should Scientists Clone Extinct Species?

STEM Explained

Cloning makes it possible to bring extinct species back to life. But is that a good idea?

Iguana

Reptiles

Picture Collections

10 images of some cold-blooded vertebrates such as snakes, lizards and alligators typically having dry, scaly skin

Sunlight

Plants: Needs

Picture Collections

8 images representing some of the needs of plants for healthy growth such as water, nutrients and light

Plant

Plants: Parts

Picture Collections

12 images of some major parts of plants such as stems, roots, flowers and leaves