Life in Balance

Inez Liftig

Homeostasis is the process by which organisms maintain an internal environment where temperature, acidity, salinity, nutrient, water, and waste concentrations are kept at tolerable levels despite external environments; this constant balancing act is key to the healthy functioning and survival of all organisms.

The connection between the functions and processes of an organism’s body systems and its survival is a fundamental concept that all students need to understand. Middle level students do not need to be taught complex biochemical reactions or the intricacies of multiple physiological mechanisms, but they do need to see how the maintenance of an internal equilibrium is necessary for an organism to fend off sickness, disease, or death.

This issue of Science Scope presents a collection of activities that can help you teach your students about regulation and behavior in organisms. You can find lessons related to behavior in frogs (Brooke L. Talley and Melissa A. Henkel, page 18), birds (Juliann Benson, page 36), and hamsters (Nancy L. Elwess and Adam Bouchard, page 26). On page 32, Jeremiah Dibley and Jaime Parish describe their experiences using a video game to teach middle level students about thermoregulation. And on page 22, Patty Littlejohn shares her model method for helping students understand photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

Teaching students about regulation and behavior demonstrates the common needs of organisms at all levels of organization and teaches students to appreciate the remarkable form and function of their own bodies. It also provides them with a solid foundation for future studies in adaptations and evolution.

Have a smooth ending to the school year and remember to look for our summer issue on the solar system.

Inez Liftig, Editor

Looking for answers

What interventions do you use with students who do poorly on assessments or do not complete homework assignments? E-mail your strategies to zenisci8@aol.com.

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