Most fish freeze to death when the water is too cold, yet some fish live in the Southern Ocean where the water is often below freezing. Scholars use two models representing the blood from most fish versus the blood from Antarctic fish. They explore the properties of each sample and learn about the importance of viscosity to delivering oxygen to tissues.

Concepts

adaptations, evolution, hemoglobin, natural selection, oxygen, red blood cells, traits, viscosity

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

science

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Highlight the common misconception about natural selection giving what is needed and taking away unused traits
• Add viscosity to science journals

Classroom Considerations

• Relies on prior knowledge of inherited traits and that blood carries oxygen

Pros

• Uses easily available materials
• Easy to extend to lessons on adaptations, blood, environments, mutations, and more

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.9-10.3 RST.11-12.3 WHST.9-10.9 WHST.11-12.9