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RL 2000 C-Fern
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C-Fern, a specially derived strain of the tropical homosporous fern, Ceratopteris richardii offers a dynamic approach to teaching many basic aspects of plant biology using hands-on activities and inquiry-based investigations and independent student-initiated research.
C-Fern spores,
culture supplies and educational
Kits, as well as a comprehensive C-Fern
Manual (Hickok and Warne, 1998), are available through Carolina
Biological Supply Company. C-Fern Kits, developed for in-class
use, highlight major biological principles and provide opportunities for
application of integrated skills. The
C-Fern Manual provides up to date detailed culture instructions,
background material and other supplemental information necessary to successfully
implement C-Fern in the classroom. Because C-Fern has rapid gametophyte and early
sporophyte development, exercises typically can be completed within a
2 - 4 week period. Establishment
of cultures, observations, analyses of data are carried out weekly and
usually take no more than 1-2 hours at each session. All phases of gametophyte
growth and differentiation, fertilization and early embryo development
can be easily observed using low power microscopy. The rapid development
and simple, inexpensive culture requirements also make C-Fern an
exceptionally useful organism for independent research projects. A variety
of approaches can be used to address many types of questions, limited
only by imagination. Large numbers of individuals can be cultured in a
very small space, allowing students to work with populations and to obtain
large data sets (e.g., growth rate, germination rate, population sex ratio)
during a two week culture period.The ability to work with large populations
and to closely control experimental conditions enhances the ability to
design and carry out meaningful projects. A
wide variety of mutant strains are available ranging from striking visual
types like polka dot to developmental mutants and types resistant
to environmental stresses from agents such as herbicides and salt. The C-Fern Web Site -- htpp://cfern.bio.utk.edu
-- contains information that you or your students can use - from general
culture and manipulation instructions to examples of research questions.
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