In this lesson, students will be using the BLAST tool to compare mitochondrial DNA samples from unknown whale species to known sequences. Prior to this activity, students should have learned about cellular structures and DNA structure and function. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) may be a new concept for many students, since biology classes primarily focus their […]
This lesson provides students with an opportunity to explore the diversity of microbes in the marine environment. Through classification activities, students will gain an understanding of the challenges in identifying and understanding microbes. Students will use DNA sequences to identify relatedness between microbes using phylogenetic trees, then identify the role of specific microbes by searching for the […]
Research programs at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) encompass the entire ocean, from the surface waters to the deep seafloor, and from the coastal zone to the open sea. The need to understand the ocean in all its complexity and variability drives MBARI's research and development efforts.