Home > Contents of Proceedings > Volumes 7 and 8

1985: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, June 3-7 (Roberta Williams, Host)
1986: Cornell University, June 16-20 (Jon C. Glase, Host)
Editors: Corey A. Goldman (University of Toronto) and P. Lynn Hauta (Lakehead University)

1. Experimental Design and Testing: Hatching and Development in Brine Shrimp

Leona C. Truchan, Alverno College, and Ingrith Deyrup-Olsen, University of Washington  [abstract] [full text]

2. Using Chives to Study Meiosis

Albert D. Robinson, Potsdam College of S.U.N.Y.  [abstract] [full text]

3. Size-Selective Feeding of Zooplankton by Fish

Nelson Hairston, Jr., Cornell University, and Madelyn Stafford-Glase, Ichthyological Associates, Inc.  [abstract] [full text]

4. A Lab on Population Genetics and Evolution: Physical Model and Computer Simulation

Jon C. Glase, Cornell University  [abstract] [full text]

5. Origin of Life: The Miller Experiment

R. W. Peifer, University of Minnesota  [abstract] [full text]

6. Human Cardiopulmonary Laboratory

Carol Hardy McFadden, Cornell University  [abstract] [full text]

7. Measuring the Amount of Ascorbic Acid in Cabbage

Carol Reiss, Cornell University  [abstract] [full text]

8. Obtaining Early Mammalian Embryos

Frank J. Dye, Western CT State University  [abstract] [full text]

9. Applying the Learning-Cycle Approach to Digestive Systems and the Principles of Structure-Function and Unity with Diversity

Ann O. Wilke, University of Missouri  [abstract] [full text]

10. A Laboratory Teaching Model Which Trains Students to Exercise Discretion: Evaluating Water Quality

William H. Leonard, Clemson University  [abstract] [full text]

11. Using Crustaceans to Illustrate the Principles of Osmoregulation, Acid/Base Balance, and Respiratory Physiology

Richard L. Walker, University of Calgary  [abstract] [full text]

12. Using Chromosome Kits to Assemble Human Karyotypes

Kenneth W. Perkins, Carolina Biological Supply Co.  [abstract] [full text]

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Abstracts (Vol. 7 / 8)

1 -- Experimental Design and Testing: Hatching and Development in Brine Shrimp
Leona C. Truchan and Ingrith Deyrup-Olsen  [full text]
Key Words: investigative learning, critical thinking abilities, communication abilities, integration of content and process, student-designed laboratory, brine shrimp cycle, Atremia salina, knowing and doing science, ouabain.
This scientific investigation uses hatching and development in brine shrimp, Artemia salina, as the biological system in which to demonstrate the laboratory model of teaching experimental design. This laboratory emphasizes scientific investigation, rather than confirmation of science principles or development of a technique, in order to model that biology should be taught and experienced as a way of knowing. Knowing and doing science, learning through experience, demands both active involvement and thoughtful reflection by the student. Precise outcomes of this or any laboratory with such a focus are identified.

2 -- Using Chives to Study Meiosis
Albert D. Robinson  [full text]
Key Words: meiosis, chives, microspore mother cell, microspore, anther.
Chives, Allium shoenoprasum, can easily be grown in a garden or in a flower pot. Chives in pots can be forced to produce flowers in the winter by exposing the plants to increased light. The inflorescence of chives is an umbel, and within one floral head one can find buds at different stages of development. The chromosomes (eight pairs) are relatively large and easily stained with orcein or hematoxylin without pretreatment or fixation (although fixed material may be used). This exercise is appropriate for both biology majors and non-biology majors, and could also be used at the high school level.

3 -- Size-Selective Feeding of Zooplankton by Fish
Nelson Hairston, Jr. and Madelyn Stafford-Glase  [full text]
Key Words: feeding behavior, fish, sunfish, zooplankton, Daphnia, size-selective predation hypothesis.
This laboratory exercise is an experiment to test the size-selective predation hypothesis that states that fish selectively consume prey that they can most easily see, capture, and handle. Bluegill sunfish are placed in an aquarium containing a range of sizes of the crustacean, Daphnia sp. Fish stomach contents are examined to determine if the fish consumed Daphnia sp. in the same size range as was in the aquarium during the experiment.

4 -- A Laboratory on Population Genetics and Evolution: A Physical Model and Computer Simulation
Jon C. Glase  [full text]
Key Words: population genetics, evolution, Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium, computer simulation, genetic drift, selection, gene flow, bottleneck effect, founder effect.
This laboratory exercise features a physical and computer simulation of Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium. Beans of two types and paper bags are used to demonstrate genetic equilibrium in sexually-reproducing, diploid organisms. The computer simulation program, Population Genetics Simulator (PGS), is used to study more complex situations where Hardy-Weinberg conditions are not met and evolutionary change occurs. Example PGS simulations demonstrating important evolutionary phenomena are described.

5 -- Origin of Life: The Miller Experiment
R. W. Peifer  [full text]
Key Words: origin of life, Miller, Oparin, Haldane, redox, chirality, handedness, stereoisomers.
This laboratory exercise re-creates the classic origin of life experiment of Stanley Miller that was first conducted at the University of Chicago in 1953. Students collect samples of material from the Miller apparatus for analysis. Paper chromatography techniques are used to separate and identify amino acids from their samples. Detailed directions on how to assemble and safely operate a Miller apparatus are provided. Additionally, students investigate the question of how life could have emerged from a non-chiral world and evolved into life forms based on chemical asymmetry.

6 -- Human Cardiopulmonary Laboratory
Carol Hardy McFadden  [full text]
Key Words: stethoscope, arterial pulse, venous pressure, sphygmomanometer, spirometer, spirogram, electrocardiogram, ECG.
In this laboratory sequence students learn about various aspects of cardiopulmonary function and the techniques useful for assessing such functions. They then design and carry out an experimental procedure that will allow them to determine the effect of some experimental variable(s) on pulse rate, blood pressure, respiratory volumes, or other related cardiopulmonary functions, such as rate of breathing.

7 -- Measuring the Amount of Ascorbic Acid in Cabbage
Carol Reiss  [full text]
Key Words: ascorbic acid, enzymes, compartmentation, experimental design.
Ascorbic acid may be easily extracted from plant tissue by grinding the tissue in a mortar with 5% metaphosphoric acid. The amount of ascorbic acid present may be determined by titration with the reducible dye, dichlorophenol-indophenol (DCIP). Students are asked to develop a procedure for the determination of the amount of ascorbic acid in fresh and boiled cabbage tissue. In order to accurately determine the ascorbic acid content, students must take into consideration the following: a representative sample, aliquots, the boiling procedure, the presence of the enzyme ascorbic acid oxidase, and the release of ascorbate into the boiling water.

8 -- Obtaining Early Mammalian Embryos
Frank J. Dye  [full text]
Key Words: cervical dislocation, development, embryo, embryo culture, embryology, mouse, oviduct, reproduction, superovulation.
Almost everybody is fascinated by the development of an embryo and many people have had some experience with developing frogs and chicks. The methods presented in this chapter provide the wherewithal to study the early development of living mouse embryos. Depending on individual circumstances, these methods will allow for simply the observation of these embryos or for their culture and manipulation. Exotic equipment is not required. The described methods allow for laboratory experiences at the general biology and embryology/developmental biology course levels as well as at the senior research project level.

9 -- Applying the Learning-Cycle Approach to Digestive Systems and the Principles of Structure-Function and Unity with Diversity
Ann O. Wilke  [full text]
Key Words: digestive systems, learning cycle, Necturus, earthworm, fetal pig, structure-function, unity with diversity.
Two major concepts, or principles, pertaining to digestive systems are developed by introductory students using the learning-cycle teaching strategy. Student understanding of (1) the interrelation of structure and function and (2) the coexistence of unity and diversity among organisms, is expanded using the digestive systems in Necturus, earthworm, and fetal pig. The three parts of the learning- cycle strategy student exploration, concept formation, and concept application are the framework on which the student activities are designed.

10 -- A Laboratory Teaching Model Which Trains Students to Exercise Discretion: Evaluating Water Quality
William H. Leonard  [full text]
Key Words: teaching methods, inquiry, extended discretion approach, water quality.
The Extended Discretion Laboratory Teaching Approach is a version of the inquiry model in which students are actively involved in all phases of the learning process, including identifying the problem, planning procedures, collecting data, and drawing their own conclusions. Rather than give the student specific prescriptive laboratory procedures, this method provides the student with a task, two or three procedural steps, and a list of resources available to accomplish the task. The method is illustrated in this chapter by an activity in which the student evaluates the quality of water from several unknown sources using abundance of indicator organisms and diversity as criteria.

11 -- Using Crustaceans to Illustrate the Principles of Osmoregulation, Acid/Base Balance, and Respiratory Physiology
Richard L. Walker  [full text]
Key Words: crustaceans, osmoregulation, acid/base balance, respiratory physiology.
Crustaceans are ideal animals for demonstrating a variety of physiological principles. The exercises in this chapter focus upon osmoregulation, acid/base balance, and respiratory physiology. Although intended for third- or fourth-year students in physiology, the exercises are adaptable to first- or second-year zoology and biology courses. Blood and tissue samples are easy to obtain without sacrificing the animal, and placement of electrodes for chronic recording of gill bailer and heart beats is relatively easy. In regard to availability, crayfish are obtainable from a number of suppliers in the USA and Canada, generally year-round.

12 -- Using Chromosome Kits to Assemble Human Karyotypes
Kenneth W. Perkins  [full text]
Key Words: karyotype, chromosome, cytogenetics, Down syndrome.
This exercise provides a hands-on introduction to the preparation of human karyotypes. It is based on a series of Biophoto Sheets available from Carolina Biological Supply Co. Students practice karyotype preparation using Biophotos of normal male and female chromosome smears. The students then prepare a karyotype using a Biophoto of chromosomes from a Down syndrome individual or from a Down syndrome carrier.