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Home > Contents
of Proceedings > Volume 24
Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching
Volume 24
Louisiana State University, June 11-14, 2002
Editor: Michael O'Donnell
Hosts: Bill Wischusen and Ann Jolissaint
Laboratory Exercises in Ecology and
Environmental Science
1. Joe's Jungle: Exploring Biodiversity by Charlene
M. Waggoner, Kim Keller, and Julia McArthur [abstract]
[full text]
2. A Comparative Study of the Demography of Human Populations
by Ralph W. Prezler [abstract]
[full text]
3. Saving the Commons: A Simulation for Understanding
the Need for Collaboration to Resolve Environmental Issues
by Mary Schaeffer, Jon Cawley, and Virginia Gerde [abstract]
[full text]
4. Inquiring About the Environment: A Service Learning Project
by Kimberly Keller, Christopher Tracy, and Charlene Waggoner [abstract]
[full text]
Laboratory Exercises in Biological Diversity
5. Microscopy of Air/Water Biofilms in the Undergraduate
Laboratory: A Simple Collection Kit with Multiple Applications by
Margaret C. Henk [abstract]
[full text]
6. Investigating the Diversity of Parasitic Protozoa Using
Gregarine Parasites of Invertebrates by Charlotte K. Omoto
and Dennis C. Cartwright [abstract]
[full text]
7. Stealth Learning: Acquiring Knowledge About Vascular
Plant Structure While Using a Vegetative Key by Peter R.
Minchin [abstract] [full
text]
Laboratory Exercises in Cell Biology and Molecular Biology
8. Identification of Bacterial Species by Kimberley
Christopher and Elsa Bruno [abstract]
[full text]
9. Isolation and Spectral Characterization of Chlorophyll-Protein
Complexes by William E. Dietrich, Jr. [abstract]
[full text]
10. Quorum Sensing in Agrobacterium tumefaciens Using
N-oxo-Acyl-homoserine Lactone Chemical Signal by Anna Szenthe
and William J. Page [abstract]
[full text]
11. Forensic Biochemistry: DNA Testing of Plant Material
by Anna M. Wilson, Susan J. Karcher, Clint Chapple, and Jo Cusumano [abstract]
[full text]
12. DNA Profiling by Mutliplex PCR Amplification and Genotype
Determination by Reverse Dot-Blot Hybridization
to Sequence-Specific Oligonucleotide Probes by Ralph J.
Rascati [abstract] [full
text]
Laboratory Exercises in Physiology and Biochemistry
13. Investigating Animal Respiration with Electronic Probes
by Robert C. Hodson and John Acuff [abstract]
[full text]
14. Effects of Salinity on Metabolic Rate in Black Mollies
by Christopher Beck, Lawrence Blumer, and Travis Brown [abstract]
[full text]
Instructional Materials
15. Effective Methods of Training Biology Laboratory Teaching
Assistants IV: The Use of Skits, a Teaching Plan, and Dealing With
Plagiarism and Grading by Ann Lumdsen, and Judith Morgan [abstract]
[full text]
Appendix A: Abstracts of Mini Workshops [titles]
Appendix B: Abstracts of Additional Major Workshops Presented
at the 24th ABLE Conference
Appendix C: Abstracts of Additional Mini Workshops Presented
at the 24th ABLE Conference
Abstracts (Vol. 24)
Laboratory Exercises in Ecology and Environmental Science
1 -- Joe's Jungle: Exploring Biodiversity
Charlene M. Waggoner, Kim Keller, and Julia McArthur
[full text]
Key words: biodiversity, environmental science, microbiology.
This inquiry-based activity introduces students to statistical measures
of biodiversity in a controlled setting. Students then apply the
techniques for measuring biodiversity to their own investigation
into microbial biodiversity. This activity is intended for students
in an introductory level environmental science course.
2 -- A Comparative Study of the Demography
of Human Populations
Ralph W. Prezler [full
text]
Key words: human, population, ecology, demography, computer, graphing,
poster session.
In this exercise students evaluate and discuss the social implications
of biological information and principles. Each small group collects
demographic data about a country of their choice from three databases.
They use Excel to graph the age structure and population growth
of their chosen country. After collecting and organizing this demographic
information, as well as related socio-economic data, each group
prepares a poster describing their country. In the poster session,
students evaluate relationships between demographic variables across
countries and discuss relationships between the socio-economic factors
and demographic characteristics of the countries that they investigated.
3 -- Saving the Commons: A Simulation for
Understanding the Need for Collaboration to Resolve Environmental
Issues
Mary Schaeffer, Jon Cawley, and Virginia Gerde
[full text]
Key words: water quality, pollution, environment, ethics, collaboration,
industry, simulation.
This simulation was created by Dr. Robert S. Dooley of Oklahoma
State University and Dr. Gerald Fryxell of The Hong Kong Polytechnic
University. It is based on "The Tragedy of the Commons"
by Garrett Hardin. The simulation demonstrates the role of collaboration
and trust in solving environmental problems. Students act as managers
of industries that border on a lake and use the water as a resource.
Profits are related to water quality, but each industry also releases
pollutants into the lake. The problem is how to profitably operate
the industries when the process is dependent on the lake as a common
resource.
4 -- Inquiring About the Environment: A
Service Learning Project
Kimberly Keller, Christopher Tracy, and Charlene Waggoner
[full text]
Key words: service Learning, environmental testing, soil, water.
This project combines extended inquiry w/service learning. Students
learn about environmental sampling, soil and water in particular,
by investigating a site within the community. Data collected by
the students provides useful information to the community partner
to aid in the development of the site for community gardens.
Laboratory Exercises in Biological Diversity
5 -- Microscopy of Air/Water Biofilms in
the Undergraduate Laboratory: A Simple Collection Kit with Multiple
Applications
Margaret C. Henk [full
text]
Key words: microscopy, microbiology, biofilm, Gram stain, ecology,
discovery.
Naturally occurring air'water interface biofilms are ubiquitous,
but largely unexplored. They provide ideal samples for introductory
microscopy and microbiology. This activity introduces a simple method
for collecting samples from nature or the lab and gives detailed
instructions on preparing a simple collecting kit and optimum viewing
with student microscopes. Useful features of this activity include:
the ideal nature of a wide assortment of ubiquitous air/water interface
biofilms for microscopy, the ease of preparing the collection slide
and collecting the biofilm, economy, efficiency, and success rate,
as well as hands-on discovery opportunities, new concepts in microbiology,
and high student interest level.
6 -- Investigating the Diversity of Parasitic
Protozoa Using Gregarine Parasites of Invertebrates
Charlotte K. Omoto and Dennis C. Cartwright
[full text]
Key words: invertebrate, parasites, gregarine, protozoa, diversity,
malaria.
Gregarines are members of the Phylum Apicomplexa that parasitize
invertebrates. All of the Apicomplexans are parasitic and include
some of medical and veterinary importance (e.g., malaria). Gergarines
may be safely studied in highly parasizited hosts such as earthworms
and mealworms that are readily available from bait shops and pet
stores. Various life cycle stages are easily visible under the dissecting
microscope in student laboratories.
7 -- Stealth Learning: Acquiring Knowledge
About Vascular Plant Structure While Using a Vegetative Key
Peter R. Minchin [full
text]
Key words: plant morphology, taxonomic key, vegetative structure,
vascular plants.
Many students find it tedious to learn the terminology that is used
to describe the vegetative structure of vascular plants. An effective
method is to acquire these skills "accidentally", in the
process of identifying unfamiliar plants. This exercise uses a vegetative
key to woody plants within walking distance of the lab. Before the
lab, plants are labeled with alphabetic tags. Students are given
a brief introduction, and then they attempt to identify each labeled
plant using the key. If their identification is incorrect, the instructor
helps them go back over the key to find the place where they made
an error.
Laboratory Exercises in Cell Biology and Molecular Biology
8 -- Identification of Bacterial Species
Kimberley Christopher and Elsa Bruno [full
text]
Key words: Gram stain, cell morphology, colony morphology, carbon
use, oxygen use, motility, endospore formation.
Students are introduced to the streaking technique to isolate colonies
from a mixed liquid bacteria culture and to several standard microbiological
identification tests. The morphology of isolated colonies and the
morphology and Gram stain reaction of the cells of each colony are
examined. Each cell type is examined for the ability to use glucose
as a carbon source, ability to form endospores, oxygen requirements
for growth, and motility using prepared micrographs. Students compare
the characteristics of the cells of the mixed bacterial culture
with the same set of characteristics of six bacterial species of
known identity, in an attempt at an initial identification of the
bacteria of the mixed culture.
9 -- Isolation and Spectral Characterization
of Chlorophyll-Protein Complexes
William E. Dietrich, Jr. [full
text]
Key words: electrophoresis, chloroplast, chlorophyll, photosynthesis,
photosystems.
In this lab groups of students will isolate chloroplasts membranes
from spinach using centrifugation. After chlorophyll assay, thylakoid
membranes are treated with a detergent concentration that results
in the solubilization of large macromolecular complexes but not
in complete membrane dissolution. Solubilized membranes are subjected
to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to separate the green complexes.
The green bands are sliced from the gel and their absorbance spectra
measured, demonstrating the spectral differences between Photosystems
1 and 2. Students can use this technique to investigate differences
due to growth conditions and plant species.
10 -- Quorum Sensing in Agrobacterium
tumefaciens Using N-oxo-Acyl-homoserine Lactone Chemical Signal
Anna Szenthe and William J. Page [full
text]
Key words: Agrobacterium tumefaciens, crown gall disease, natural
genetic engineering of plant, TraR protein, Ti plasmid, octopine
catabolism, community oriented growth pattern, N-oxo-Acyl-homoserine
Lactone, autoinducer, lac Z reporter gene, betagalactosidase, ONPG.
Bacteria utilize a low molecular weight chemical belonging to the
N-oxo-acylhomoserine lactone (HSL) family for communication by quorum
sensing. In this exercise we observe HSL production in wild type
Agrobacterium tumefaciens. with the aid of a reporter strain (a
modified A. tumefaciens strain with a lacZ reporter gene). The reporter
strain produces ß-galactosidase in response to exogenous HSL
generated by the test organism. This production is first measured
qualitatively by observing X-gal cleavage as indicated by the appearance
of blue color in a soft agar overlay, and then quantitatively by
employing the lactose analog ONPG (ortho-nitrophenyl-galactopyranoside)
in a spectrophotometric assay.
11 -- Forensic Biochemistry: DNA Testing
of Plant Material
Anna M. Wilson, Susan J. Karcher, Clint Chapple, and Jo Cusumano
[full text]
Key words: polymerase chain reaction, DNA, investigative laboratories,
DNA isolation, gel electrophoresis.
Samples of soil were recovered from an Indiana murder victim's car
and shoes. This experiment isolates DNA from plants grown from seeds
that were found on the shoes. Two different ecotypes of a weed grow
in different areas of Indiana. This difference can be detected using
the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). DNA is extracted from the seedlings
using the REDExtract-N-Amp™ Plant PCR Kit. Specific regions
of the isolated DNA are then amplified by PCR. The PCR products
are analyzed by gel electrophoresis and the results used to determine
which suspect was in the same area as the victim. With data from
previous exercises the students can determine who committed the
murder. An alternate CTAB DNA isolation procedure is also included.
12 -- DNA Profiling by Mutliplex PCR Amplification
and Genotype Determination by Reverse Dot-Blot Hybridization to
Sequence-Specific Oligonucleotide Probes
Ralph J. Rascati [full
text]
Key words: polymerase chain reaction (PCR), forensics, Dot-Blot
hybridization, human identity testing, DNA profiling, DNA fingerprinting.
Human DNA profiling has applications in paternity testing and forensics.
This exercise provides students the opportunity to gain first-hand
experience with procedures that are currently used to extract DNA
from their own cells, quantify the DNA in the extract, perform a
multiplex PCR amplification of several loci used in forensic analysis,
and determine their own genotype at those loci. In addition, methods
for analyzing results relative to existing population databases
will be presented. The exercise is normally presented in the context
of a laboratory course in Forensic DNA Analysis that presents students
with a variety of techniques that have been and/or continue to be
employed in forensic laboratories.
Laboratory Exercises in Physiology and Biochemistry
13 -- Investigating Animal Respiration
with Electronic Probes
Robert C. Hodson and John Acuff [full
text]
Key words: animal, anole, lizard, respiration rate, electronic probe,
computer, temperature, carbon dioxide, Logger Pro, Qubit Systems.
This computer-assisted investigation allows students to explore
the effect of variables on animal respiration using research-quality
instrumentation. The model investigation is with a lizard (anole)
exposed to a range of temperatures that are only moderately stressful
and do no harm. The animal is contained in a transparent chamber
with gas inlet and outlet ports and an electronic thermometer. Carbon
dioxide-free air is pumped at a constant rate into the chamber.
The outgoing air enriched in carbon dioxide passes in turn through
an electronic oxygen sensor, a simple drying apparatus, and an electronic
carbon dioxide sensor that measures concentration by absorption
of infra-red light. Analog voltage signals from the sensors are
electronically converted to digital with an interface device and
displayed by computer software. Additional experimental questions
students may ask and other animals students may use are suggested.
14 -- Effects of Salinity on Metabolic
Rate in Black Mollies
Christopher Beck, Lawrence Blumer, and Travis Brown
[full text]
Key words: osmoregulation, metabolic rate, salinity, oxygen consumption,
fish physiology.
This study examines the metabolic costs of osmoregulation in a freshwater
fish, the black molly (Poecilia latipinna). It could be
used in either an upper-level ecology or physiology course. Students
evaluate the metabolic rate of a fish at a particular salinity by
measuring the continuous decrease in oxygen concentration in a sealed
chamber over a ten-minute period, or the initial and final oxygen
concentrations over a twenty-minute period. Metabolic rate is the
slope of oxygen concentration versus time, or change in oxygen concentration
divided by time. By measuring metabolic rate at different salinities,
students evaluate the metabolic cost of osmoregulation.
Instructional Materials
15 -- Effective Methods of Training Biology
Laboratory Teaching Assistants IV: The Use of Skits, A Teaching
Plan, and Dealing With Plagiarism and Grading
Ann Lumdsen, and Judith Morgan [full
text]
Key words: Teaching Assistant, training, teaching plan, plagiarism,
academic honesty, classroom ethics, grading.
Each year since 1999 ABLE has provided a forum for presentation,
discussion, and sharing of ideas concerning the use of undergraduates
and graduate students to run labs and teach in the Departments of
Biological Science. There have been lively films, games, examples,
and discussions of the many university training sessions and/or
workshops to Train Graduate Teaching Assistants to handle students,
labs, and even teaching assignments. This year we will offer four
other areas of discussion for you. Ethics in the classroom; a powerful
subject in most colleges and universities, we will offer a skit
to lead into a discussion on ethics and how easy it is for faculty
to cross the line with students concerning ethics. Also we will
offer a skit on the first day of class or the first day teaching.
Each of you can certainly add a suggestion or warning to this topic
and we welcome your experiences with the first day teaching also.
And then we will move to an exercise on performing investigative
labs and how to develop and set up these labs for your teaching
assistants. And we will address plagiarism and grading to follow
up on last year's workshop.
Mini Workshops
- Allelic or Non-Allelic? Complementation Studies
With Bacteriophage T4 rII Mutations by Susan J.
Karcher [full
text]
- A Simulation of the Sanger (Dideoxy) Method for
Sequencing DNA by Robert J. Kosinski
[full text]
- A Pipe Cleaner Exercise to Illustrate Difficulties
in DNA Replication to Students Investigating the Meselson-Stahl
Experiment by Todd Nickle [full
text]
- The Case of the Cumbersome Chromosomes: An Introduction
to Workshop Genetics by Tammy Tobin-Janzen
[full text]
- Eliminating Ether by using Ice for Drosophila
Labs by Denise Marie Ratterman [full
text]
- Evolution of Plants from the Paleozoic to the
Present by Jon Cawley and Mary Schaeffer
[full text]
- A Treasure Hunt Through Pond Scum by
Marshall Darley [full
text]
- Making Ecology Local: Engaging Your Students in
Environmental Issues and Biology by Georgianna
Saunders and Sarah Dewey [full
text]
- Introductory Modeling: The Global Carbon Cycle
and Climate Change by Catherine Teare Ketter and
Jill Goldstein [full
text]
- How Low Can You Go? The Effect of Salt on Ice
by Karin E. Readel [full
text]
- Web-based Physiology Laboratory Simulations
by Philip J. Stephens [full
text]
- Invertebrate Food Selection by Catherine
A. Teare Ketter and Jill M. Goldstein [full
text]
- Distribution of Digestive Enzymes in Cockroaches
by Flora Watson [full
text]
- A Comparison of Grades for Students Taking a Traditional
Lecture Course With and Without the Laboratory
by Sheryl Shanholtzer [full
text]
- Time Lapse Movies of Cell Movement and Mitosis
by Ted Gurney [full
text]
- Using Superstitions and Sayings to Teach Experimental
Design by Mariëlle H. Hoefnagels
[full text]
- Lab Practicals that Test Practical Skills
by Ruthanne B. Pitkin [full
text]
- Picture Your Students by Anna M. Wilson
[full
text]
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