Home > Contents of Proceedings > Volume 14

Editor: Corey A. Goldman (University of Toronto)
Hosts: Roberta Williams and William (Bill) Wischusen

1. A Practical Guide to the Use of Cellular Slime Molds for Laboratory Exercises and Experiments

Donna M. Bozzone, Saint Michael's College  [abstract] [full text]

2. Genetic Control of Cell Chemistry Using Serratia marcescens

Elise V. Schmidt, University of Nevada at Las Vegas  [abstract] [full text]

3. Using Computer-Interfaced Physiological Measurement Systems in the Biology Laboratory

Bonita L. Roohk and Sharron A. Clark, Golden West College  [abstract] [full text]

4. Estimating Plant Densities Using Transects

Matthew E. Andersen, University of Nevada at Las Vegas  [abstract] [full text]

5. "Optimal" Organism Design and Costs for Not Being Perfect

F. Reed Hainsworth, Syracuse University  [abstract] [full text]

6. Isolation of an Unknown Bacterium from Soil

Patricia M. Steubing, University of Nevada at Las Vegas  [abstract] [full text]

7. Diffusion Across a Sheep Red Blood Cell Membrane

Linda A. Scott, Hartwick College  [abstract] [full text]

8. An Introduction to Population Genetics

Matthew E. Andersen, University of Nevada at Las Vegas  [abstract] [full text]

9. Fundamental Issues In Dissection: Muscle Physiology - A Case Study

Carol A. Budd, Russell F. Wells, St. Lawrence University, and Shelley Shreffler, Macalester College  [abstract] [full text]

10. Computer Enhanced Learning in Biology

S. Edward Andrews, Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, and Michael A.J. Collins, Memorial University of Newfoundland  [abstract] [full text]

11. Natural History Field Courses in East Africa

Vinnedge M. Lawrence, Washington and Jefferson College  [abstract] [full text]

Appendix A: Abstracts of Mini Workshops

Appendix B: ABLE Membership List - August 1992

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Abstracts (Vol. 14)

1 -- A Practical Guide to the Use of Cellular Slime Molds for laboratory Exercises and Experiments
Donna M. Bozzone  [full text]
Key Words: culturing, Klebsiella, Dictyostelium, fruiting body, macrocyst, slug, amoeba.
The cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum, is particularly well suited for laboratory instruction in a variety of areas, including cellular biology, developmental biology, biochemistry, and population biology, and for a range of educational levels, such as introductory courses, upper- division courses, and independent student research projects. This chapter presents methods to: (a) prepare and maintain stock cultures of D. discoideum, (b) grow and harvest cells for experiments, and (c) set up several experiments. Experiments examine several questions, including triggers for asexual versus sexual development, food preferences for D. discoideum, pattern formation, phototaxis, and chemotaxis.

2 -- Genetic Control of Cell Chemistry Using Serratia marcescens
Elise V. Schmidt  [full text]
Key Words: biochemical pathways, genetic control, Serratia marcescens, microbiology.
This exercise allows students to investigate the genetic control of a biosynthetic pathway: the production of the red pigment prodigiosin by the bacterium Serratia marcescens. The students perform feeding trials with mutant strains to examine the genetic control of this biosynthetic pathway. Auxotrophic strains of the bacteria which are blocked at different places in the pathway exhibit different colors, the wild-type is a deep red color. Pairwise feeding trials enable the students to determine which strains are blocked at which point in the pathway. Students will then use an explanatory system to determine the pathway's shape and learn about its genetic control.

3 -- Using Computer-Interfaced Physiological Measurement Systems in the Biology Laboratory
Bonita L. Roohk and Sharron A. Clark  [full text]
Key Words: computer, physiology, ECG, lung volumes and capacities.
Students in General Biology perform two different laboratory exercises using computer-based physiological measurement systems to record data from student subjects. Using equipment from Intelitool, students measure resting and post-exercise ECGs, noting relative changes in each portion of the tracing. Then in a second exercise students measure lung volumes and capacities in resting and post-exercise subjects. Forced expiratory volumes (F.E.V.) for 1, 2, and 3 seconds are also measured. Notes for the instructor discuss problems and potential problems encountered using this equipment in a classroom setting and suggest approaches to these challenges.

4 -- Estimating Plant Densities Using Transects
Matthew E. Andersen  [full text]
Key Words: ecology, transect intercepts, vegetation densities.
By evaluating plant densities along linear transects in the field, students are introduced to the quantification of observable vegetation densities. Such quantification, in turn, introduces the formal study of ecology. Students should evaluate different local habitats in order to make comparisons.

5 -- Optimal Organism Design and Costs for Not Being Perfect
F. Reed Hainsworth  [full text]
Key Words: adaptation, butterflies, feeding, flow, nectar, net transport, performance, variation.
Optimal means the best, but organisms often solve multiple problems so any one problem is not solved best. An optimal function is produced for sugar ingestion rates versus sucrose concentration through butterfly proboscides and pipets by humans. A choice experiment is performed using probing by a butterfly proboscis toward one of two concentrations of sucrose. A non-optimal system is then studied: cylindrical container designs by businesses where surface area (cost) is least when height equals diameter. A frequency distribution of height/radius is constructed for recycled cans, and costs for variation are quantified from changes in surface area from the optimum. Cost variation for sugar intake rates is then measured from the function shape and related to nectar concentration variation.

6 -- Isolation of an Unknown Bacterium from Soil
Patricia M. Steubing  [full text]
Key Words: bacteria, soil, isolation, identification.
Soil contains a wider variety of microorganisms than in other types of environments. Many kinds of bacteria, algae, protozoans, yeasts, molds, and microscopic worms are present in soil. Bacteria are the dominant species found in soil and many of the biological changes that occur in soil are due to bacteria. These biological changes include fixation of nitrogen for photosynthetic plants, and the recycling of other important biological elements from the decomposition of plants and animals. This laboratory exercise involves isolating an unknown bacterium from soil, maintaining a pure culture of the microbe, determining the staining, cultural, and physiological characteristics of the organism, and narrowing the identification of the bacterium to a specific microbial group.

7 -- Diffusion Across a Sheep Red Blood Cell Membrane
Linda A. Scott  [full text]
Key Words: diffusion rate, electrolyte dissociation, red blood cell membrane, partition coefficient, molecular size.
This cell membrane physiology laboratory uses sheep red blood cells to determine: (1) the isotonic and hemolytic molar concentrations of electrolytes and nonelectrolytes, and degree of electrolyte dissociation; (2) the diffusion rate of penetrating molecules of varying size and lipid solubility; and (3) the relationship of molecular size, number of hydroxyl groups, and partition coefficient to diffusion rate. Student research teams then design an experiment using the acquired techniques to determine the degree of dissociation of different electrolytes, or the effect of molecular weight, lipid solubility, age of cell membrane, species variability, or physiological state of the cell on diffusion rate.

8 -- An Introduction to Population Genetics
Matthew E. Andersen  [full text]
Key Words: genetic drift, mutation, natural selection, evolution, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
The evolution of populations is examined by simulations over 5 to 10 generations. Students use playing cards to simulate random mating, and then modify the mating to illustrate more natural conditions. With the addition of computer simulations, the same evolutionary principles may be applied to many generations. Discussion topics include the importance of genetic drift and mutation as the sources of raw material for evolution, the maintenance of recessive alleles in populations, and the role natural selection may play in changing allele frequencies.

9 -- Fundamental Issues In Dissection: Muscle Physiology--A Case Study
Carol A. Budd, Russell F. Wells, and Shelley Shreffler  [full text]
Key Words: laboratory dissection, ethical issues, vivisection, sacrificing animals.
Issues concerning the use and/or sacrifice of living organisms in the laboratory is discussed using a traditional muscle physiology exercise as a case study. The premise is put forth that sacrificing an animal's life is the only way to successfully establish the learning situation necessary to understand the concepts being presented. Instructor responsibilities and possible student reactions to animal use and sacrifice are explored with the intent of developing a consensus statement by the workshop participants.

10 -- Computer Enhanced Learning in Biology
S. Edward Andrews and Michael A. J. Collins  [full text]
Key Words: CAL, CMI, courseware, courseware development, authoring software, authoring languages, PC/PILOT, computers.
This chapter introduces biology instructors to computer assisted learning through the development and use of locally-authored biology software (courseware). The selection of authoring software (authoring languages), approaches to the development of courseware, and courseware programs are presented and discussed. Specific courseware programs on a variety of biological topics are presented for viewing, examination, and evaluation. A questionnaire that may be used to evaluate courseware is presented.

11 -- Natural History Field Courses in East Africa
Vinnedge M. Lawrence  [full text]
Key Words: tropical ecology, natural history, Africa, Kenya, Tanzania.
College calendars that include a January intersession afford opportunities for extended field trips involving international travel. An ideal destination for a January field biology course is the East African savanna with its unique abundance of large mammals. This chapter provides essential details for planning and conducting a camping safari in the major game parks of Kenya and Tanzania.

Mini Workshops

[full text]

• Isolation of DNA from Gels (Susan J. Karcher)
• Teaching the Electron Transport Chain (Janet A. Sherman and David L. Evans)
• Membrane Permeability: A Quantitative Approach (Todd M. Bennethum)
• Teaching Enzyme Kinetics Using a Commercial Diagnostic Assay for Glucose in Plasma (Pamela J. Bryer)
• Marsilea: The Fast Fern (Leland G. Johnson)
• Grocery Store Botany (Laura K. Thompson)
• A Problem Solving Approach to Animal Physiology (Susan K. Blizard and Steven Fehrer)
• Following Directions: A No Fuss, Paper and Pencil Lab Activity (Rita A. Hoots)
• Using Flow Diagrams to Learn Cell Biology (Thomas Fogle)
• Growlab: A Gardening-Based Curriculum Guide (Denise Martin)
• Science Olympics: Helping Biology Compete (Tom Haffie)
• Writing Exam Questions That Promote Critical Thinking (Nancy L. Goodyear)