TOPICS FOR LABORATORY PRACTICAL I - Biology 1406
(Adapted from those of Dr. David Schwartz)
You will be tested using multiple stations, with a variable number of questions per station, for a total of
up to 50 questions for a total of 100 points. You will have a few minutes per station. In order to assure
that each student sees the same thing, representative pictures of organisms and cell types will be provided
at many stations. These photos or well drawn pictures will be used– you should have no trouble
recognizing the subject matter. Additionally, where I deem appropriate, further explanations may be
provided in the test questions themselves. The practical will cover laboratory exercises 1 through 7.
FOR LABORATORY EXERCISES 1 THROUGH 7, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO:
1. Conduct basic measurements for length, weight (mass), volume, temperature, and concentration of
solutions.
2. Know all properties of protons, neutrons and electrons. Know the names and properties of all types of
bonds between atoms. Know the name and properties of the special type of bond between water
molecules. Given the atomic numbers of any appropriate elements, be able to draw complete and legible
electron dot representations of molecules containing those elements. I will expect you to know the
valence bonding strategies used for all molecules that you studied. Use the periodic table of elements.
3. Know all the properties that water has because it is a polar covalent molecule that can hydrogen bond
to itself and other hydrophilic materials. Be able to give examples of organisms that use these properties
to live. What do hydrophobic materials do in proximity to water and other hydrophilic materials??
4&5. Know all test reagents and indicator solutions used in ALL laboratory exercises, both by name and
by use. Know the molecule type that would give positive results for each reagent. Given a testing medium
correctly interpret the results. Given pictorial (look in lab manual and study pages) representations of
chemical structures, be able to recognize and give the correct scientific names for the building blocks of
all biological macromolecules, and for the polymerized biological macromolecules themselves. Recognize
models and parts of the structures (DNA, Phospholipids)
7. Know all cell structures and organelles found in eukaryotic plant cells and eukaryotic animal cells and
their functions from pictures or models. Recognize plant and animal cells from illustrations. What is
cytoplasmic streaming. Where did you see it?
6. Know all parts of the microscope and their function. Given objective and ocular lens magnification (or
viewing the current set up of a microscope), know how to calculate the total magnification of a
microscope. Know how an observed microscopic image is affected by passing it through microscope
lenses.