Introducing research in undergraduate biology studies may contribute to creating research vocations and generate the idea that science may influence all aspects of common life. However, laboratory practices are too often disconnected from current investigations and rarely address real-life questions that are really interesting for students.…

Outlines a laboratory activity which takes place at the zoo and helps make some of the important aspects of evolution more concrete. Includes the principles of adaptation, variation within a species, types of evolution, and predicting future evolutionary trends. Provides a student worksheet. (RT)

Presents a procedure by which cytokinins are used to induce a population of dividing and differentiating cells on the cut surface of the roots of an intact plant. Includes the method used, results, and suggestions for a variety of variables that may be tested. (RT)

Describes laboratory procedures for observing the progressive change deciduous leaves undergo prior to abscission. Outlines the starch test, sugar test, extraction and chromatography of pigments, and experimental results. States that obtained results enable the events of leaf senescence to be correlated with the carbohydrate economy of a tree in…

Describes a course used to teach freshwater ecology to graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Michigan Biological Station. Explains how students receive an introduction to lake ecology and work on applied resource management questions concerning local lakes and streams. Gives case study examples. (SB)

Described is a science activity for intermediate grades which uses science skills to solve a mystery. Fingerprints, footprints, chromatography, invisible ink, and microscopic analysis are used in the activity. Observation, data analysis, and deductive reasoning are stressed. (CW)

Described is an activity where students determine the effect of different toothpastes on teeth. Students used observational data and pH changes to determine any changes in the teeth. Included are a list of materials, procedures, and results. (KR)

Presented is an activity that investigates the effect of sugar on teeth using cola, sugar solution, and water. Included are the materials, procedures, resources, and alternative lessons. (KR)

Presents an exercise which was designed to help students read material and follow directions more appropriately when performing laboratory activities. Provides a list of materials, instructions, comments, vocabulary words, and a diagrammatical sketch of an insect. (RT)

Presents a method which introduces biology students to some fundamental aspects of scientific methodology. Explains simple muscle testing procedures, a historical perspective, experimental variables, pedagogical uses, and possible mechanisms of the muscle response phenomenon action. (RT)

A tissue culture experiment that does not require elaborate equipment and that can be used to teach sterile technique, the principles of animal cell line maintenance, and the concept of cell growth curves is described. The differences between cancerous and normal cells can be highlighted. The procedure is included. (KR)

The ue of hands-on models in teaching protein synthesis, in comparison to traditional expository methods, has been shown to improve the content achievement of biology students. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a set of models and the accompanying laboratory exercises in terms of content achievement and attitude toward biology and…

Describes two simple procedures allowing students to experiment with living membranes and to relate their results to fundamental membrane structure. Provides instructions for determining the effects of temperature and organic solvent stress on cellular membranes, and spectrophotometric analysis. (RT)

Describes how to organize a student-directed laboratory investigation which is based on amphibian metamorphosis, lasts for nearly a term, and involves extensive group effort. Explains the assignment, student response and opinion, formal paper, and instructor responsibilities. (RT)

Describes a program in which second-year biology students use plasmid isolation to remove DNA from Escherichia coli bacteria and subsequently ligate and transform it into other E. coli bacteria. Cites ways teachers can get involved in current research that allows student participation. (RT)