An inexpensive enzyme kinetics laboratory exercise for undergraduate biochemistry students is described utilizing tyrosinase from white button mushrooms. The exercise can be completed in one or two three-hour lab sessions. The optimal amounts of enzyme, substrate (catechol), and inhibitor (kojic acid) are first determined, and then kinetic data is…

This investigative laboratory exercise uses the different relations between ambient temperature and metabolic rate in endotherms and ectotherms as a core concept to answer the following question: What thermoregulatory mode is employed by chicken embryos? Emphasis is placed on the physiological concepts that can be taught with this exercise,…

This set of laboratory exercises in general science is an outgrowth of courses given by the author in methods of teaching secondary school sciences. Many of the exercises have enough material for more than one lesson and should be subdivided to suit teaching conditions. The emphasis placed in these lessons upon the interests of the individual, in…

In response to the Texas Hazardous Communication Act (THCA) of 1986 which raised many new health and liability issues regarding students in science laboratories, a laboratory safety survey was generated for use in evaluating laboratory safety. This article contains the easy-to-use survey. (ZWH)

Introduces a series of molecular genetics laboratories where students pick a single colony from a Drosophila melanogester embryo cDNA library and purify the plasmid, then analyze the insert through restriction digests and gel electrophoresis. (Author/YDS)

Uses concept-based laboratory reports to incorporate technical writing into teaching. Features three paragraphs in the writing format: introductory paragraph, data paragraph, and conclusion. Recommends using this teaching method, especially in chemistry laboratories, because of the difficulties students have in understanding. (YDS)

Explains how to maintain biosafety in high school level biotechnology and microbiology courses. Focuses on laboratory skills, biohazard containment, and defense perimeters. (YDS)

Discusses the changes that schools will have to make to ensure that all lab exercises are done in compliance with the new chemical hygiene law. Two tables are included: (1) Chemical Hygiene Compliance; and (2) Duties of a Chemical Hygiene Officer. (ZWH)

Explains why laboratory strains of bakers yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, are particularly suited for classroom science activities. Describes the sexual life cycle of yeast and the genetic system with visible mutations. Presents an overview of activities that can be done with yeast and gives a source for teachers to obtain more information. (PR)

Points out the importance of the ability to apply knowledge in a problem-solving manner to real-life situations for biology students rather than possessing an exhaustive accumulation of facts. Describes a teaching approach that employs three-dimensional animal models to teach the student how to use deductive reasoning and critical analysis to…

Describes laboratory and lecture activities in an introductory cell physiology course that encourage students to start thinking of themselves as scientists. (DKM)

Authors describe the origin of practical science in English school education and trace its history up until the end of the nineteenth century. Practical work by this time was held in high esteem by most science educators and was now regarded as an essential requirement for science teaching. (over 25 references) (Author/PR)

Describes a system that monitors intestinal motility in vivo which is very sensitive, minimally injurious to the tissue, and inexpensive. Used are two balloons, one of which is inserted into the intestinal lumen and the other suspended from a force transducer. (CS)

Conducts an action research investigation to determine which type of student benefits more from inquiry-based science laboratories. Designs two labs on diffusion and osmosis using both traditional and inquiry-based approaches and assesses student learning in these settings. (YDS)

The guide presents information about ordering, using, storing, and maintaining chemicals in the high school laboratory. The guide also provides information about chemical waste, safety and emergency equipment, assessing chemical hazards, common safety symbols and signs, and fundamental resources relating to chemical safety, such as Material…