Welcome Aboard The Magic School Bus! Are you ready for a wild ride? Grab a seat and hang on for the Emmy® award-winning animated science-adventure series based on the best-selling books.
The term "protist" covers a wide range of microscopic organisms formerly clumped into "Kingdom Protista." New molecular analyses show that the protistan lines of evolution go so far back in time they can be considered as different kingdoms of life.
Topics: Structure and Behavior of the Plasma Membrane, Osmosis, Transport Proteins, Phagocytosis, Pinocytosis, Receptor Mediated Endocytosis, Golgi Function, Lysosomes and Hydrolytic Digestion, Microtubules, Cilia, Actin, and Myosin Motor Proteins.
The term algae is a catchall for several evolutionary lines of photosynthetic organisms: dinoflagellates: red algae (plastids with chlorophyll A); diatoms, yellow-brown algae and brown algae (chlorophylls A and C); and green algae (chlorophylls A and B). This program explores the diversity, structure, ecological roles and modern classification of these vital primary producers.
The bacteria section uses compelling microscopy of living bacteria to examine their structure, physiology, behavior, and the vital roles these microbes play in the biosphere, including oxygen production (cyanobacteria), decomposition, nitrogen fixation, and as parasites as well as helpful symbionts.
This program examines the discovery of viruses and their structure, how viruses are studied, how they infect their hosts and how they replicate. Details are provided on the T-4 bacteriophage and retroviruses such as HIV.
Early Life This program explores current scientific theories explaining possible processes by which Earth was formed. Fascinating animations illustrate Earth's early conditions that led to the development of life. The living conditions and nature of early life is highlighted.
