Benthic Drug Store

Lesson Plan Overview

Students identify three chemicals that are pharmacologically active and are derived from marine invertebrates. Students describe disease-fighting action of these chemicals. Students infer why sessile marine invertebrates appear to be promising sources of new drugs.

Source: NOAA Ocean Explorer
Grades: 3-5

Literacy Principles:

OLP#5: The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.

OLP#6: The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.

OLP#7: The ocean is largely unexplored.

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