Describes an exercise that allows the measurement of the sizes of biological samples by means of the diffraction of light. (JRH)

The catechol dioxygenases are bacterial iron-containing enzymes that catalyze the oxidative cleavage of catechols. These enzymes serve as a component of nature's mechanisms for degrading aromatic compounds in the environment. The structure and mechanistic aspects of these enzymes are described. (JN)

Describes an instructional experiment that was designed to illustrate the use of periodate oxidation in sugar analysis, and the consequence that the absorbance of mixtures of non-interacting substances is additive. (TW)

Describes a set of experiments (for senior-level biochemistry students) which permit evaluation and estimation of rate and equilibrium constants involving an intermediate in the alpha-chymotrypsin mediated hydrolysis of ortho-hydroxy-alpha-toluenesulfonic acid (I). The only equipment required for the experiments is a well-thermostated double beam…

Presents a review of articles appealing to forensic practitioners. Topics include: drugs and poisons, forensic biochemistry, and trace evidence. Lists noteworthy books published on forensic science topics since 1986. (MVL)

Examines the influence of enzyme and substrate concentrations, pH, temperature, and inhibitors on catalytic activity. Follows the influence of different phosphate concentrations in the growth medium on enzyme activity. Studies regulation of enzyme synthesis by repression. Includes methodology for six experiments. (MVL)

Offers several advantages over other possibilities as the enzyme of choice for a student's first exposure to a purification scheme. Uses equipment and materials normally found in biochemistry laboratories. Incorporates several important biochemical techniques including spectrophotometry, chromatography, centrifugation, and electrophoresis. (MVL)

This four-hour experiment uses a bee as a source of the enzyme which is reacted with a radioactive substrate to determine the specific activity of the enzyme. Uses thin layer chromatography, visible spectrophotometry, and liquid scintillation spectrometry (if not available a Geiger-Muller counter can be substituted). (MVL)

Described is an experiment in which the student can ascertain the meaning of a negative result from a qualitative test by performing a more sensitive quantitative test on the same sample. Methodology for testing urinary glucose with a spectrophotometer at 630 nm and with commercial assaying glucose strips is presented. (MVL)

Describes a biophysical chemistry experiment that introduces students to globular protein conformation and microcomputer analysis of initial rate data for the unfolding of proteins. Presents background, materials needed and methodology. Uses a visible spectrometer for analysis. Lists educational benefits derived from the experiment. (ML)

Discusses the nature of a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiment, the techniques used, the types of structural and dynamic information obtained, and how one can view and refine structures using computer graphics techniques in combination with NMR data. Provides several spectra and a computer graphics image from B-form DNA. (MVL)