1

Lesson 1 of 4 · Evolution

Experiment30 XP

What Are Chromosomes?

🧪Lab Brief #1

Evolution.

🎯 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

Chromosomes are structures made of tightly coiled DNA and proteins. Human body cells have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs), while sex cells have 23 chromosomes.

Key Words

Tap a word to see its definition.

Materials Needed

  • microscope (or magnifying glass)
  • onion skin

Safety First

  • Check glassware for chips before use and carry it with both hands.

Steps

Step 1Read

Look at the vocabulary words and write a definition for each in your own words.

Step 2Do

Prepare a wet-mount slide of an onion skin and observe it under a microscope (or magnifying glass). Draw and label the cell wall, cell membrane, and nucleus.

Step 3Observe

Compare the before and after states.

Step 4Record

Write your conclusion: did the results match your hypothesis? What would you change next time?

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

How many chromosomes do human body cells have?

🌍

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 card

Share this experiment

Send it to a parent who's looking for a 10-minute kitchen science win.

Ready?

What Are Chromosomes?

Predict it first. Then prove yourself right (or wrong).

Full screen — no distractions

🖨️

Checkout complete lesson on Evolution for 8th Grade

Get the full Evolution track as a printable PDF — all lessons, worksheets, and answer keys.

View in Shop

Your Cart (0)

Your cart is empty

Browse our shop to find activities your kids will love

What Are Chromosomes? — Evolution | 8th Grade Science | LittleActivity