Describes an organic-biological experiment that illustrates an important chemical commercial process and the use of microorganisms as chemical reagents. (MLH)

This teacher's guide is designed to accompany the PBS television program "NOVA." Six science activities correspond to: (1) "Lost at Sea: The Search for Longitude,, which researches and charts the shortest course to circumnavigate the globe; (2) "Chasing El Nino," which formulates a question and designs an experiment to…

Describes a microbiological experiment designed to study the competition between two species of bacteria. Experimental procedures and data obtained in conducting this experiment are provided, together with a discussion of the results. (JR)

The use of instant agar-free media in high school biology classes is discussed. The synthetic media are relatively inexpensive, heat stable, dependable, and time-saving. (Author/PEB)

Reports design of an interactive computer program (FORTRAN) in microbial genetics. The program is divided into three stages: background information, simulation, and data treatment. Results obtained from the simulation allow four genes to be sequenced along the bacterial chromosome. The simulation mimics experimental errors and production of…

Describes some practical exercises involving the glutamine synthetase enzyme of Beneckea Natriegens. (CS)

Recommendations are made for handling and growth of Beneckea natriegens, a rapidly growing, nonpathogenic marine bacterium which can be used with advantage to replace Escherichia coli in many undergraduate microbiology experiments. Examples of experiments and the potential value of this organism as a subject for student research projects are…

The use of Data Sets in instructional programs as supplements to firsthand experiences is described. A segment of one Data Set related to microbiology is given. (SA)

Examined is the In re Bergy decision in which a divided United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals held that a living micro-organism was patentable under section 101 of the United States Code. Differing views and problems with the decision are also discussed. (JMD)

A comparative analysis of two groups of students indicated that unless individuals had special reasons for taking courses in microbiology before entering the College of Veterinary Medicine, these courses would be of no special benefit in the one-year microbiologic sequence. (LBH)

Describes a laboratory project for first-year biology students that examines competition among various cellular slime molds. After a brief introduction to the topic of competition and basic life history information about cellular slime molds, students choose a question and design original experiments to seek an answer. (Author/AIM)