The Sex in a Dish: C-FERN® Life Cycle Kit Includes: (Items marked with * are included in the Replacement Set) Presterilized Wild-Type Ceratopteris C-FERN® Spores (RNWT1)* 3 Bottles Basic C-FERN® Medium * Sterile Water* 10 Sterile Spore Spreaders* 40 Sterile Petri Dishes (60 x 15 mm)* 10 Sterile Pipets* Microscope Slides and Coverslips* Toothpicks Pen Culture Dome

Easy and rapid setup by teacher or students Simple, foolproof axenic culture techniques Rapid gametophyte development from spores over a 14-day period Spore-tospore life cycle in as little as 90 days Simple genetics with striking mutant phenotypes (e.g., polka dot) C-FERN® is a specially derived cultivar of an unusual fern, Ceratopteris, with novel features that make it ideal for classroom use. C-FERN® Classroom Kits are designed for use by up to 30 students working individually or in groups, depending on the exercise. Nearly all kits come complete with spores, petri dishes, special media, and detailed directions for students and instructors. For predictable results in C-FERN® gametophyte development, adequate lighting is necessary and can be provided by a simple fluorescent lighting fixture. A stereomicroscope is necessary for viewing the stages. Spores are provided presterilized and preweighed in graduated vials. Students just add water, inoculate petri dishes containing C-FERN® Basic Medium, and maintain the dishes in culture domes that are a part of most kits. Cultures are grown under continous lighting and within an ideal temperature range of 28 to 30°C.

Care Sheets Carolina Biological has an excellent care sheet to help you look after your new organism. The link will open a new browser window, so please disable popup blockers.

A dynamic introduction to the life cycle of this unique plant. The exercise provides a clear illustration of organ and tissue differentiation in the developmentally simple gametophytes. Unlike many higher plants, gametophyte sexual development, swimming sperm, fertilization, and embryo development are directly visible using a stereomicroscope and simple culture equipment.

Includes materials for 30 students. Experiment time is 21 days with optional extended observations over 3 months. With instructions.

Spore germination and gametophyte development to sexual maturity, sexual reproduction, and early embryo development all take place within 14 days.