Students perform a foundational experiment to demonstrate cell communication in yeast reproduction. They study the yeast life cycle and observe yeast morphology to determine if and how cells communicate. They design an experiment using different mating types of yeasts, culturing techniques, and microscopy to provide evidence that single-celled organisms communicate. Kit includes enough materials for 1 class of students working cooperatively in 8 groups.

Note: Kit includes perishable materials for immediate use.

Digital Resources
Includes 1-year access to digital resources that support 3-dimensional instruction for NGSS. Digital resources may include a teacher manual and student guide, pre-lab activities and setup videos, phenomenon videos, simulations, and post-lab analysis and assessments.

Science and Engineering Practices
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Developing and Using Models

Disciplinary Core Ideas
LS1.A: Structure and Function

• Organisms reproduce, either sexually, or asexually, and transfer their genetic information to their offspring.

LS2.D: Interactions and Group Behavior

• Group behavior has evolved because membership can increase the chances of survival for individuals and their genetic relatives.

Crosscutting Concepts
Cause and Effect

• Empirical evidence is required to differentiate between cause and correlation and make claims about specific causes and effects.

Learning Objectives

• Study a yeast life cycle model and brainstorm methods by which yeast cells might communicate to initiate shmoo formation.
• Create and observe wet-mount slides of a-type culture, alpha-type culture, and mixed culture with tallies of single haploid cells, budding haploid cells, and shmoos.
• Use findings from the wet-mount observations to create a testable question about cell communication in yeast.
• Design and conduct an experiment to look for evidence that single-celled organisms communicate.

Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills
Students should have a general understanding of the characteristics and benefits of asexual and sexual reproduction, knowledge of what haploid and diploid cells are and their significance in asexual and sexual reproduction, and know how to prepare wet-mount slides and use a compound microscope.

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