Home > Contents of Proceedings > Volume 6

[Out of print]
Editors: Corey A. Goldman (University of Toronto), S. Edward Andrews (Sir Wilfred Grenfell College), P. Lynn Hauta (Lakehead University), Robert Ketcham (University of Delaware)
Hosts: Karen Morris and Cynthia (Penney) Brown

1. Investigations in Orientation Behavior

Jon C. Glase, Cornell University, and Melvin C. Zimmerman, Lycoming College, and Jerry A. Waldvogel, Clemson University [abstract] [full text: pdf | html]

2. Teaching Concepts of Plant Development with Lettuce Seeds and Seedlings

David T. Webb, Institute of Paper Science and Technology  [abstract] [full text]

3. An Introduction to Stereological Analysis: Morphometric Techniques for Beginning Biologists

Marshall D. Sundberg, Louisiana State University  [abstract] [full text]

4. A Quantitative Study of Litter and Soil Invertebrates Utilizing the Berlese Funnel

Arlan L. Edgar, Alma College  [abstract] [full text]

5. A Field Study of Interspecific Relationships

Henry Mann, Lois Bateman, Marie H. Iams, Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, and Alan E. Burger  [abstract] [full text]

6. Chemiosmotic Principles of Solute Transport in Barley Roots

Anthony D. M. Glass, University of British Columbia  [abstract] [full text]

7. Nitrogen Excretion in Insects

Roger Gordon, Memorial University of Newfoundland  [abstract] [full text]

8. Chemical Communication in Cockroaches

William J. Bell, University of Kansas  [abstract] [full text]

9. Sodium-Ion Dependence in Marine Gram-Negative Bacteria

John A. Gow, Memorial University of Newfoundland  [abstract] [full text]

10. Simple Enzyme Experiment

Sharon B. Miller, Tri-County Technical College  [abstract] [full text]

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Abstracts (Vol. 6)

1 -- Investigations in Orientation Behavior
Jon C. Glase, Melvin C. Zimmerman, and Jerry A. Waldvogel  [full text: pdf | html]
Key Words: orientation, behavior, taxis, kinesis, investigations.
Students study aspects of orientation behavior in a variety of organisms in order to gain experience with the design, data collection, and analysis phases of scientific investigations. Systems described include orientation to light and humidity in sowbugs, negative klinotactic response to light gradients in fly larvae, factors affecting school formation in tropical fish, phototaxis and thigmotaxis in planaria, and orientation to light quantity and quality in water fleas.

2 -- Teaching Concepts of Plant Development with Lettuce Seeds and Seedlings
David T. Webb  [full text]
Key Words: lettuce, germination, seedling growth and development, phototropism, photomorphogenesis, plant hormone, metabolic inhibitors, plant tissue culture.
Lettuce seeds and seedlings are used to study extrinsic and intrinsic controls of plant development. Experiments described include: (1) the effects of directional and nondirectional illumination, as well as light quality, on seed germination and hypocotyl growth, (2) the interaction of light with hormonal treatments, (3) the effects of hormones and metabolic inhibitors on germination and on seedling growth, and (4) the control of in vitro organ regeneration from seedling organs by hormones and light.

3 -- An Introduction to Stereological Analysis: Morphometric Techniques for Beginning Biologists
Marshall D. Sundberg  [full text]
Key Words: stereology, morphometry, quantitative, anatomy, microscopy.
This chapter explains the basic principles underlying stereology, the study of three- dimensional objects through interpretation of two-dimensional images, and provides examples of three student exercises which employ stereological techniques. These exercises facilitate integration of structural data, obtained from an examination of microscope slides or photomicrographs, and physiological data which may be obtained from literature readings or subsequent physiology experiments. Although the examples provided are botanical, these techniques are used by microscopists in all areas of biological research.

4 -- A Quantitative Study of Litter and Soil Invertebrates Utilizing the Berlese Funnel
Arlan L. Edgar  [full text]
Key Words: litter, soil invertebrates, Berlese funnel, Tullgren funnel, decomposers.
The invertebrates in litter and intermingled soil taken from a measured surface area (e.g., 10 cm x 20 cm) are placed in a Berlese Funnel for sorting. Students examine the sample and tally both numbers and kinds of invertebrates into major taxa. They record size classes and construct a numbers pyramid utilizing these data. Biomass considerations could also be done. A 10 cm x 10 cm sample is collected carefully to maintain its three-dimensional integrity. Then it is inspected live from the upper surface downward through the sample while on the stage of a dissecting microscope. Written observations on the invertebrates' habitat and ecology may be made. Various techniques are explained and necessary drawings for specimen identification are provided. This study is suggested for use in courses from general biology to senior-level ecology and for courses in independent study.

5 -- A Field Study of Interspecific Relationships
Henry Mann, Lois Bateman, Alan E. Burger, and Marie H. Iams  [full text]
Key Words: symbiosis, interspecific relationships, population regulation, field exercise.
A variety of relationships such as symbiosis, predation, and herbivory are studied and discussed in the field. Emphasis is placed on observational skills leading to questions and hypotheses about these relationships. The preparation of good, accurate field notes and sketches is required. This exercise is designed as a self-contained outdoor investigation, but can easily form the basis for future quantitative field studies, laboratory studies, or student assignments.

6 -- Chemiosmotic Principles of Solute Transport in Barley Roots
Anthony D. M. Glass  [full text]
Key Words: chemiosmotic, solute transport, barley, Hordeum vulgare, hydroponics. This exercise is designed to introduce students to chemiosmotic principles of solute transport. Techniques are described for the growth of barley plants in hydroponic facilities which are subsequently used to measure fluxes of H+ and other ions (e.g., K+ or NO₃).

7 -- Nitrogen Excretion in Insects
Roger Gordon  [full text]
Key Words: cockroach, excretion, feces, hemolymph, locust, Locusta migratoria, Periplaneta americana, spectrophotometry, uric acid.
This exercise enables students to gain insight into the process of excretion in insects. Rate of excretion and hemolymph volume in the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, are measured using spectrophotometry. The capacity of two insects, the cockroach, Periplaneta americana, and L. migratoria, to detoxify ammonia via uricotelism is examined by measuring the concentration of uric acid in the insects' hemolymph and feces. Uric acid is quantified by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The anatomy of the insect's excretory system is studied by dissection.

8 -- Chemical Communication in Cockroaches
William J. Bell  [full text]
Key Words: cockroach, Periplaneta, communication, pheromones. Procedures are described for extracting the sex pheromone of the female American cockroach (Periplaneta americana). The sex pheromone is then assayed quantitatively and employed in experiments on male orientation and male and female interactions in courtship behavior.

9 -- Sodium-Ion Dependence in Marine Gram-Negative Bacteria
John A. Gow  [full text]
Key Words: freshwater bacteria, marine bacteria, Na+-dependence, active transport.
This exercise is designed to demonstrate Na+-dependent substrate accumulation, an important criteria for distinguishing marine from freshwater strains of bacteria, by using a radiolabelled organic compound. In addition to showing the Na+-requirement of marine bacteria this exercise permits the demonstration of the safe handling of small amounts of radioisotope.

10-- Simple Enzyme Experiments
Sharon B. Miller  [full text]
Key Words: enzyme experiments, amylase, catalase, catecholase, invertase (sucrase), papain, pectinase, pepsin, rennin.
Eight simple enzyme experiments are described. Materials which are easy to obtain, inexpensive, and familiar to most students are stressed. Enzymes included are amylase, catalase, catecholase, invertase, papain, pectinase, pepsin, and rennin.