Chapter 42

Biology in Thrive

42.1 Lesson Overview
42.2 Lesson Plan
42.3 Lesson Content

Lesson Overview

Title: Thrive and Survive: Evolving Cellular Systems for Homeostasis
Subject: Science (Biology / Life Sciences)
Age Group(s): 14–18
Tags: Cell Biology, Homeostasis, Evolution, Structure and Function, Systems, Adaptation, Gamification

Description:
In this lesson, students will engage with the evolution simulator game "Thrive" to design and test a unique single-celled organism. By making strategic choices about cellular structures and behaviors, students will investigate how specialized components work as an integrated system to help an organism survive and maintain homeostasis in a dynamic environment.

Lesson Plan

📋 Find the full lesson plan on the companion GameClass lesson — link at the bottom of this page!

Lesson Content

I. Key Teaching Points

Point 1: An organism's survival depends on specialized structures (like organelles and proteins) that perform essential life functions.
Point 2: Cellular components do not work in isolation; they form an integrated system where the function of one part affects the others and the organism as a whole.
Point 3: Organisms constantly use feedback mechanisms to sense their external environment and regulate their internal state to maintain homeostasis.

II. Practical Examples

For Teaching Point 1:
In the editor, the player makes choices that directly link a structure to a function. For example, adding "Chemosynthesizing Proteins" (0:00) gives the organism the function of producing energy from chemicals. Choosing a "Silica" membrane (0:06) provides the function of physical resistance and health, demonstrating how a specific structure carries out an essential task.

For Teaching Point 2:
The "Organism Statistics" panel illustrates the concept of an integrated system. The organism's overall "Speed" is a result of its flagellum, but that flagellum requires energy from the "ATP Production" system, which in turn depends on the chosen proteins and organelles. In the video, the player considers different membranes (0:02–0:07), each creating a trade-off that affects mobility, resource absorption, and health simultaneously. This shows that changing one part of the system has consequences for the entire organism's performance.

For Teaching Point 3:
The gameplay from 0:29 onward is a direct demonstration of a feedback loop for maintaining homeostasis. The organism's internal "Compounds" levels provide internal feedback, while the "At Cursor" information provides external feedback about resource availability. The organism responds by moving towards compounds like Hydrogen Sulfide and Glucose when its internal stores are low, completing a feedback loop that maintains its internal balance. The "Behaviour" sliders (0:08) allow the player to fine-tune how their organism responds to these environmental cues.

End of Lesson