ERIC Number: EJ1483772
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Sep
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1470-8175
EISSN: EISSN-1539-3429
Available Date: 2025-07-26
Integrating a Sugar Inhibition Experiment with a Cell Agglutination Experiment to Enhance Conceptual Understanding
Fang Ma1; Ruilin Ma1
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, v53 n5 p536-545 2025
This study expanded the "cell agglutination reaction" experiment in undergraduate cell biology teaching by integrating a sugar inhibition component. Lectins bind to specific sugars. In the traditional cell agglutination reaction, lectin is used to cause cells to aggregate via binding to sugars present on the cell surface. Here, various small sugars were added to red blood cell agglutination reactions. If the lectin binds to the added sugar that inhibits cellular aggregation. The degree of cellular aggregation was measured for each added sugar and controls, and hence used to assess the binding of the lectin to each sugar type. The experiment allows students to observe cell adhesion under the influence of lectin, deepening their understanding of glycosyl groups, lectin binding to sugar sites, inhibition of lectin binding, and the glycosyl composition of cell surfaces. The experimental approach cultivates students' problem-solving skills and enhances teaching effectiveness. By incorporating current real-world issues, students' interest in independent learning is increased.
Descriptors: Cytology, Science Experiments, Science Instruction, College Science, Undergraduate Students, Relevance (Education)
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Key Laboratory of Resource Utilization of Agricultural Solid Waste in Gansu Province, Tianshui Normal University, Tianshui, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China

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