Lesson 39 of 84 · Lab Skills
Experiment⭐ 30 XPHow the Immune System Works
Lab Skills.
🎯 Your mission
Predict it first. Then prove yourself right (or wrong).
⚡ The twist
Nature loves to surprise the careful watcher.
Mind = Blown
🔬 The more you look, the more nature shows you.
Make a hypothesis first
Before you start: write down what you think will happen, and why.
What You'll Learn
The immune system defends the body by finding and destroying harmful invaders such as bacteria and viruses. White blood cells hunt down germs, and after fighting an illness the body can remember it and respond faster the next time.
Key Words
Tap a word to see its definition.
Materials Needed
- plastic wrap
- ruler
- magnifying glass
Safety First
- Keep small objects away from young children.
- Work in a well-ventilated area when using vinegar or other strong-smelling substances.
- Dispose of materials properly after the experiment.
Steps
Review the background information on Lab Skills before starting.
Collect and classify 10 organisms from your yard into kingdoms, phyla, or groups. Use a dichotomous key if available.
Look for patterns in your observations.
Make a graph or chart showing your results.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 3What is germination?
Where you see this in real life
This shows up in your everyday life more than you'd think.
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Try one experiment in real life this week — even a tiny one.
For the dinner table
“What's the most surprising thing you learned today?”
Next Smart Experiment
We'll pick an experiment that matches exactly how you're thinking right now.
Share this experiment
Send it to a parent who's looking for a 10-minute kitchen science win.
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