General Biology Laboratory 201008 (BSC1005L)
General Policies, Student Objectives, and Lab Schedule
INSTRUCTOR:
Carly Randall
OFFICE:
Building 58, Room 139
E-MAIL:
crandall1@uwf.edu
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 2-4 pm
TEACHING ASSISTANTS:
Tuesday 8:30 am – Bethany Wight; brw6@students.uwf.edu
Tuesday 4:00 pm – David Beddick; dlb27@students.uwf.edu
Thursday 4:00 pm – Melissa Overton; mmo5@students.uwf.edu
LABORATORY MEETS ON ONE OF THE FOLLOWING DAYS/TIMES in BLDG 58A/207:
Monday Lab Schedule – Ref#0223 (10:00 am – 12:45 pm); Ref#0224 (5:30 – 8:15 pm)
Tuesday Lab Schedule – Ref#0225 (8:30 – 11:15 am); Ref#0226 (4:00 – 6:45 pm)
Wednesday Lab Schedule – Ref#0227 (2:30 – 5:15 pm); Ref#0228 (5:30 – 8:15 pm)
Thursday Lab Schedule – Ref#0229 (1:00 – 3:45 pm); Ref#0230 (4:00 – 6:45 pm)
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Customized Laboratory Manual- Inquiry into Life, 12th ed., Sylvia S. Mader, WCB/ McGraw-Hill Publishers, 2008,
ISBN-13: 978-0-07-722474-5 and notebook for material and experimental notes.
DESCRIPTION OF COURSE TOPICS:
General Biology laboratory is designed to provide the fundamentals of biological science. This laboratory is designed for
non-biology majors. The units covered are associated with the following topics: microscopy, science investigation, general
chemistry, biochemistry, cellular organization and function, cellular energetics, photosynthesis, metabolism, human
genetics, heredity genetics, biotechnology, the origin and evolution of living things, structure and life processes, vertebrate
physiology and ecology, and anatomy and physiology.
GENERAL POLICIES:
Students must attend lab during the period for which they registered. Attendance during another lab period will
only be permitted under extenuating circumstances (i.e. accidents, illness) [Also see “Missing Labs” below].
Notification of both lab instructors will be required. If the lab instructor(s) cannot be reached, contact the lab
coordinator, Mr. David Davis 474-2111 / dcdavis@uwf.edu, or the biology office (474-2748) to leave a message.
Read the lab manual and/or other materials provided before class in order to familiarize you with the exercise.
You will be quizzed on some of the introductory material for the upcoming week's labs. Failure to come to class
prepared will result in incomplete lab exercises or you not understanding material for which you will be held
accountable.
The biology/chemistry-tutoring center is available to you free of charge if you are having difficulties. Take
advantage of this resource as early as possible in the semester. Each instructor is also available for questions
and/or problems during their office hours.
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Observe all laboratory safety rules. You will be required to read and sign a safety guidelines worksheet during
the first week of classes. All equipment should be used as instructed. Be sure to return all materials and clean
your work area before leaving lab. Failure to do so may result in a lower grade or being denied permission to
attend lab.
MISSING LABS:
The main point of having a lab associated with a lecture course is to provide you some hands on experiences.
Therefore, attending lab is crucial to the experience in General Biology. You must attend the entire lab (until the
instructor says you are free to go). If you miss more than 3 lab periods (i.e., unless documented illness or family
emergency), you will have missed too much to successfully pass the laboratory. If you have successfully
completed 70% of the course work, you may get an incomplete for the course but you will be required to make
up the lab the following semester.
QUIZZES:
Weekly quizzes will be given over the material covered the previous week and over the material that will be
covered that day in lab. Each quiz will be worth 10 points. Quizzes will be held during the first 10-15 minutes of
class. If you are late to class, you will not be given extra time to complete the quiz. The lowest quiz grade will be
dropped before figuring final grades. Because one grade is dropped (may include a missed quiz), no make-up
quizzes will be given.
VIDEO WORKSHEETS:
There will be three video worksheets given throughout the course, worth 10 points each. These will be
completed during class while watching the video and handed in before the lab period is over. The videos will be
shown during the following lab topics: Development, Anatomy and Physiology, and Evolution. There will be no
make-up for any video session that is missed.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
After completing each laboratory session, you should be able to:
Laboratory Introduction, Safety, Scientific Method, Metric System, Microscopy
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Describe how to prepare for a laboratory session.
Describe laboratory safety procedures.
State and use the metric units of measurement for length, temperature, weight, and volume.
Describe three differences between the compound light microscope and the electron microscopes.
Identify the parts of a compound and stereo (dissecting) microscope and state the function of each.
Describe and demonstrate the correct way to:
a. carry a microscope
b. clean the lenses
c. prepare a wet mount slide
d. focus with each objective
e. determine the total magnification
f. estimate the size of an object
g. define all the terms discussed by the instructor to include, parfocal, depth-of-focus, diameter-of-field.
Describe how the slide of the letter “e” provides information on the inversion of the image in the compound
light microscope.
Describe the differences between animal cells and plant cells.
Describe and contrast the descriptive and experimental forms of scientific inquiry and list the steps of the
scientific method.
Define controlled experiment, independent variable and dependent variable, and controlled variable.
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Chemical Composition of Cells
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Describe amino acids and explain how amino acid monomers join with others to form a polypeptide (protein)
Identify the test used to identify the presence of proteins versus peptides.
Describe the Biuret test and the significance of its results.
Explain the function of enzymes.
Describe the monosaccharide formation for starch, glycogen, cellulose, and chitin.
Describe the monosaccharide formation for maltose, sucrose, and lactose.
Describe the biologically important monosaccharide of glucose, galactose, and fructose.
Identify the tests used to identify the presence of monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides.
Describe the Benedict’s test and the significance of its results.
Describe the components of lipids and their solubility.
Describe how an emulsifier works.
Identify microscopically the presence of adipose tissue.
Identify the presence of sugars, proteins and lipids in everyday nutritional food items.
Understand that all everyday nutritional food items supplies for this lab are not for human consumption.
Cell Structure and Function
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Distinguish between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells by description and examples.
Identify and state the function of animal cell structures and organelles.
Identify and state the function of plant cell structures and organelles.
Define and describe the process of diffusion as demonstrated in this laboratory.
Define isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic solutions as it applies to plant and animal cells.
Define tonicity and give examples in terms of different sodium chloride concentrations.
Predict the effects of different sodium chloride concentrations on red blood (animal) cells and on Elodea
(plant) cells.
8. Define pH.
9. Define and give examples of a buffer.
10. Predict the pH before and after the addition of an acid to non-buffered and buffered solutions.
Scientific Article
1. Identify the different parts of a scientific article to include the purpose/objective; hypothesis; materials &
methods; conclusion; discussion; importance of study/further study.
Mitosis/Meiosis/Development
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Name and describe the stages of mitosis with attention to the movement of chromosomes.
Identify the stages of mitosis in laboratory models and microscope slides.
Contrast the associated structures of animal-cell mitosis and plant-cell mitosis.
Describe animal-cell mitosis and plant-cell cytokinesis.
Contrast spermatogenesis with oogenesis using models and microscope slides.
Name and describe the stages of meiosis I with attention to the movement of chromosomes.
Name and describe the stages of meiosis II with attention to the movement of chromosomes.
Contrast the behavior of chromosomes during mitosis to the behavior of chromosomes during meiosis and
meiosis II.
9. Identify and compare the morula, blastula, grastrula, and neurula in the sea star and frog.
10. Describe the development of the neural tube in the frog.
11. Name the three germ layers and the major organs that develop from them.
12. Name and contrast the functions of the extraembryonic membranes in mammals and chicks.
13. Compare the development of humans to other animals studied.
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Biotechnology and Molecular Genetics
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Describe the structure of DNA to include the purines and pyrimidines.
Describe the processes of transcription and translation during protein synthesis.
Identify the role of DNA, mRNA, tRNA, rRNA, and amino acids in protein synthesis.
Describe how DNA can be isolated and the procedure for testing of DNA.
Determine DNA base-pairing rules.
Describe bacterial transformation to include plasmids and bacteriophage.
Describe the use of molecules markers and reporter genes to include ampicillin and X-gal.
Determine transformation efficiency.
Aspects of Human Genetics
1. Understand the preparation and significance of a karyotype.
2. Understand genetic probability using the Punnett square.
3. Explain how disjunction occurs and what numerical sex chromosome abnormalities my result from
nondisjunction.
4. Determine the genotype and phenotype from observation of themselves and their relatives.
5. Determine genetic problems involving autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and X-linked recessive
alleles.
6. Determine pedigree and whether a pedigree chart represents a pattern of autosomal dominant, autosomal
recessive, or X-linked recessive inheritance.
Photosynthesis
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Describe the separating of plant pigments by paper chromatography.
Explain the experiments that utilize white light for promoting photosynthesis.
Identify the principle pigments in plants to include, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenes, & xanthophylls.
Characterize the advanced plant pigments separation using chromatography.
Describe the rate of photosynthesis of Elodea using the volumeter apparatus.
Explain the effectiveness of various colors of light for photosynthesis.
Describe an experiment that indicates carbon dioxide utilization during photosynthesis.
Describe the relationship between aerobic cellular respiration and photosynthesis.
Cellular Respiration
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Give the overall equation for fermentation and aerobic cellular respiration.
Relate the utilization of oxygen for fermentation and aerobic cellular respiration.
Explain the relationship between fermentation and aerobic cellular respiration.
Describe and explain the fermentation experiment performed in the laboratory.
Explain the effects of sucrose, glucose and fructose on fermentation by yeast.
Describe and explain the respirometer and the aerobic cellular respiration experiment in the laboratory.
Explain the effects of the cricket in a respirometer and the use of potassium hydroxide.
Anatomy and Physiology
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Provide evidence for evolution by means of fossil record, comparative anatomy, and biochemical evidence.
Understand the different types fossils, radioactive dating & the types of isotopes used, half-life.
Recognize/identify homologous, analogous, and vestigial structures when compared.
Recall chordate characteristics & extraembryonic membranes.
Explain the molecular clock theory & the protein used, where it is found, and why it is used.
Explain the antigen/antibody experiment performed in the laboratory.
Define "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny"
Define Hardy-Weinburg Rule, natural selection, non-random mating, genetic drift, gene flow, mutation,
and Miller apparatus.
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Evidence of Evolution and Symbiotic Relationships
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
7.
8.
Understand the 3 different types of symbiotic relationships.
Describe the role each component (in objective 1) plays in the relationship.
Identify all 3 types of lichens
Describe the life cycle of Plasmodium spp.
Compare free-living worms to parasitic worms (table in lab manual).
Identify tapeworm life cycle, know primary & secondary (in some cases) of each parasite
Define tapeworm scolex and proglottids.
Know diseases caused by each parasite (when applicable), and know how parasite is obtained by host.
Define legume root with Rhizobium bacteria.
UNIVERSITY POLICY ON ACADEMIC CONDUCT:
Honesty in our academic work is vital, and we will not knowingly act in ways which erode that integrity.
Accordingly, we pledge not to cheat, nor to tolerate cheating, nor to plagiarize the work of others. (UWF Student
Life Handbook ).
Academic dishonesty is a serious offense and will be taken seriously. Please refer to the UWF Student Life
Handbook for a list of behaviors that fall under the definition of academic misconduct. The handbook also
outlines the penalties for academic misconduct and the due process procedures that must be followed. (Links to
the Student Life Handbook and the UWF Academic Conduct Statement are posted on the UWF web site at:
http://www.uwf.edu/cas/resources_other.cfm
As members of the University of West Florida, we commit ourselves to honesty. As we strive for excellence in
performance, integrity—personal and institutional—is our most precious asset. Honesty in our academic work is
vital, and we will not knowingly act in ways which erode that integrity. Accordingly, we pledge not to cheat, nor
to tolerate cheating, nor to plagiarize the work of others. We pledge to share community resources in ways that
are responsible and that comply with established policies of fairness. Cooperation and competition are means to
high achievement and are encouraged. Indeed, cooperation is expected unless our directive is to individual
performance. We will compete constructively and professionally for the purpose of stimulating high
performance standards. Finally, we accept adherence to this set of expectations for academic conduct as a
condition of membership in the UWF academic community. http://uwf.edu/academic/policies/acadpol/SEC08.htm
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PLAGIARISM:
Your writing is your intellectual property. Guard it carefully. Do not leave copies of your work on computers that
are in common use. You could find yourself in the unpleasant position of trying to prove that you are the true
author of this work. Save preliminary drafts of your work, reading notes, data collection sheets, and copies of
library sources you make while researching your paper. You may be asked to produce these if questions of
authorship arise. Make back-up copies to protect your work from computer failures.
Plagiarism is a serious violation of academic standards and will be punished severely. Students who plagiarize
will fail the course and will be referred to the Dean for academic dishonesty. Some students are surprised to
learn that they plagiarized themselves when they inappropriately used work produced for one course in another
course. If you are unsure, ask your instructor for guidance. See the UWF Student Life Handbook for the
University policy on academic conduct and plagiarism and the consequences for students who engage in
academic misconduct. (A link to the UWF Plagiarism Policy is posted on the UWF web site at:
http://uwf.edu/cas/aasr/plagiarism.doc
http://www.uwf.edu/cas/resources_other.cfm
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ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:
Students with special needs who require specific examination-related or other course-related accommodations
should contact the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC), web address: http://www.uwf.edu/SDRC, (850)
474-2387. SDRC will provide the student with a letter for the instructor that will specify any recommended
accommodations for the individual students. Alternatively, please leave your name and phone number with the
department office (Ext. 2748) so the professor can contact you to set up an appointment.
EXAMS AND GRADING:
The laboratory grade (one credit hour) is separate from the lecture grade. However, many of the concepts
presented in lecture do apply to the lab exercises, and the lab exercises reinforce (with hands on experience)
many of the concepts in lecture. Your final grade will be based on the number of points achieved out of the
total points possible (220). Pluses and minuses will be given except in the case of A+ and D- (not recognized by
UWF). For example, 80-82%=B- and 87-89%=B+. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask the
instructors or lab coordinator.
Point Distribution (subject to change):_________________________
Grading Scale
8 Quizzes 10 pts each (drop lowest):
70 pts (32% of total grade)
A=90-100%
1 Midterm practical:
50 pts (23% of total grade)
B=80-89%
3 Video worksheets 10 pts each:
30 pts (14% of total grade)
C=70-79%
1 Article summary:
10 pts (4% of total grade)
D=60-69%
1 Final practical:
50 pts (23% of total grade)
F=<60%
Participation/performance:
10 pts_ (4% of total grade)
220 pts total (100%)
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
You must attend all functions of each lab to receive full credit for the lab (including quizzes and extra credit
work). If you are unable to completely attend your assigned lab, you need to make arrangements with your lab
instructor ”PRIOR” to your assigned lab to attend another lab or make-up the missed lab assignment. NO partial
credit for partial attendance.
WITHDRAWAL:
The last day to withdraw from this course with an automatic grade of “W” is October 29, 2010. There will
be no individual course withdrawals after this date.
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Calendar of General Biology
Laboratory Events for the Fall 2010 Term
Week
Week of Fall 2010
Lab Topic
Quiz/Test/Reports
1
8/23 – 8/27
Laboratory Introduction, Safety, Scientific Method, Metric
System, Microscopy
2
8/30 – 9/3
Article Summary
quiz 1
3
9/6 – 9/10
No Labs (Labor Day)
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4
9/13 – 9/17
Chemical Composition of Cells
quiz 2
5
9/20 – 9/24
Cell Structure and Function
quiz 3
6
9/27 – 10/1
Mitosis/Meiosis/Development /Midterm Review
quiz 4
7
10/4 – 10/8
Midterm Practical Exams
Midterm Lab Practical
8
10/11 – 10/15
Biotechnology 1 (Transformation)
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9
10/18 – 10/22
Biotechnology 2 and Aspects of Human Genetics
quiz 5
10
10/25 – 10/29
Photosynthesis
quiz 6
11
11/1 – 11/5
Cellular Respiration
quiz 7
12
11/8 – 11/12
Evolution and Symbiosis or A&P
(Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Lab’s ONLY)
quiz 8
13
11/15 – 11/19
Evolution and Symbiosis or A&P
(Thursday Lab ONLY)
quiz 8
14
11/22 – 11/26
No Labs (Thanksgiving Holiday)
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15
11/29 – 12/3
Final Lab Practical Exams
Final Lab Practical
16
12/6 – 12/10
Lecture Final Exam
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