An Inquiry-Based Enzyme Lab

 

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2008, Volume 29

Norris Armstrong

Abstract

A laboratory commonly used in introductory biology classes is the breakdown of starch by the enzyme amylase. These labs tend use a "cookbook" format in which students are given explicit, step-by-step instructions that make it possible to easily complete the exercise without developing a good understanding of many of the concepts being taught. This workshop presents a three-week laboratory series that uses a guided-inquiry approach and collaborative teams to help students understand experimental design, the collection and analysis of data, and communication of results in the context of \biochemistry and enzyme function. The workshop will include a discussion of strategies designed to support the inquiry format and to help insure that students are well prepared for the lab. This laboratory series was designed for an introductory biology class but could be adapted for use in more advanced classes as well.

Keywords:  enzyme

University of Kentucky (2007)