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Morning and afternoon salivary substance P and cortisol levels were measured in 26 adults with chronic self-injurious behavior (SIB) and severe developmental disabilities and compared with controls without SIB. Chronic SIB was associated with an altered diurnal pattern of salivary substance P, characterized by lower levels of morning substance P. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Presents a science activity designed to involve students in experimental procedures such as data collection and analysis by extracting peroxidase from plant sources. (YDS)

Presents a laboratory activity on enzymes. Uses common items found in the supermarket that contain protease enzymes, such as contact lens cleaner and meat tenderizer. Demonstrates the digestion of gelatin proteins as part of enzymatic reactions. (Author/SOE)

Explains a three week laboratory experiment on the gel separation of peroxidase, which is the most well-known isozyme, from beans. Includes suggestions on the laboratory management. (Contains 13 references.) (YDS)

Describes an inquiry-based biochemistry activity on the industrial applications of cellulase, which is known as biostoning, and used to soften denim jeans. (YDS)

Describes a physiology laboratory designed to localize digestive enzymes within the digestive tract of cockroaches and develop a general conclusion about the similarities to mammalian digestion. This approach not only demonstrates the practicality of lecture material, but also provides a springboard for independent research opportunities. (Author/KHR)

Describes a molecular biology laboratory in which students study the role of the enzyme polygalacturonase in the softening of tomatoes during ripening by developing their own hypotheses and designing their own experiments. (MM)

Points out the difficulties students have in making connections from the DNA molecule to a phenotype. Presents an activity in which students imitate the actions of functional and nonfunctional enzymes and examine the phenotype of organisms of different genotypes. (YDS)

This review evaluates evidence for metabolic etiologies in autism spectrum disorders, as well as for the efficacy of dietary and vitamin treatments. The relationship between gastrointestinal abnormalities and autism spectrum disorders is also considered, and the need for more research on larger populations of individuals with autism is stressed. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Uses alkaline phosphate to remove the phosphate group from phenolphthalein diphosphate. Discusses problems which include the interference of ambient light and temperature variation. Provides detailed information about the apparatus and the experimental procedure. (ASK)

Reviews recent research on the etiologies of autism, including genetic research, anatomic and neuroimaging studies, topics in neurophysiology research (including serotonin, dopamine, and opiods), immunologic research, studies of autism phenotype, and electroencephalographic studies. It concludes that, as of yet, research has found no clear etiology for autism. (CR)

Presents methods that can be used to isolate the enzyme tyrosinase and to assay its activity. Lists instructions for a laboratory activity that has variable but frequently dramatic results. (WRM)

Presents a plain English map of the gene coding for the glycolysis enzymes in humans to be used as a teaching tool. The map can be used to illustrate that every reaction in a cell requires an enzyme, and that every enzyme is a protein coded for by a gene somewhere on the chromosomes. (WRM)

Describes the developmental process used to visualize the calcium ATPase enzyme of the sarcoplasmic reticulum which involves evaluating scientific information, consulting scientists, model making, storyboarding, and creating and editing in a computer medium. (Author/CCM)

Describes the biochemical structure and functions of the enzyme chymosin. Presents activities to familiarize students with fundamental aspects of enzyme-substrate interaction. (WRM)

Describes an experiment in which plasmid DNA is digested with restriction enzymes that cleave the plasmid either once or twice. The DNA is stained, loaded on a gel, electrophoresed, and viewed under normal laboratory conditions during electrophoresis. (DDR)

Details how a spreadsheet with graphics capabilities can be used to illustrate enzyme kinetics and explain how computer simulation of a reaction mechanism is accomplished. (DDR)

Since many of the important energy-transferring pathways involve synthesis or degradation of biological macromolecules, observations of the enzymes responsible for starch breakdown provide a useful case study. Provides a short, one-step assay for the enzymes amylase and amyloglucosidase. Topics covered include goals, preparation, assay procedure, expanded activities, data analysis, and discussion. (PVD)

A biotechnologist-turned-teacher introduces a series of laboratory modules incorporating concepts from microbiology, cellular biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and evolution. The Amylase Project aims to distill the biotechnology process into a few short steps using amylase, the easiest enzyme to detect of those commonly produced by microorganisms. Description of modules includes enrichment possibilities. (PVD)

Reports on the design and testing of student-directed investigations for use in large enrollment biology courses. Describes a set of experiments that include the preparation and study of the enzyme tyrosinase. (DDR)

Presents an exercise that describes the direct extraction and purification of DNA from a small soil sample. Also discusses the subsequent amplification of a 343-bp Tn7 transposate A gene fragment (tnsA) from a strain of Pseudomonas aureofaciens 3732RNL11. Contains 21 references. (DDR)

Discusses telomeres, complexes of DNA and protein that form the chromatin at the ends of chromosomes. Highlights telomeres as controllers of chromosome integrity, expendable telomeres, DNA replication requirements and their consequences, protection of structural genes, telomerase as indicators of immortality, cancer cells and other immortals, and intriguing questions concerning telomeres and telomerase that remain unanswered. Contains 36 references. (JRH)

Nineteen hospitalized, emotionally disturbed boys screened for maltreatment either before or after age 3 were compared with a normal control group for enzyme activity and conscience functions in moral valuation. Subjects who experienced early maltreatment had more developmental delays and more interferences with conscience functions than other subjects. Subjects with low enzyme activity had more interference with authority and peer valuation. (Author/DB)

Presents a laboratory in which students are provided with cultures of three bacterial strains. Using the results, students will determine which of the strains corresponds to a mutant lacking a particular functional gene. (DDR)

Presents two simple and reliable ways for measuring protease activity that can be used for a variety of investigations in a range of biology class levels. The investigations use protease from a variety of sources. (DDR)

Discusses enzymes, catalysts, and factors that affect the rate of a chemical reaction. Presents activities based on enzyme action on hydrogen peroxide and lactose intolerance. (Author/JRH)

Describes the design of a biochemistry course that uses problem-based learning. Provides opportunities for students to question, dispute, confirm, and disconfirm their understanding of basic concepts. Emphasizes self-correction through dialogue. Topics covered include amino acids, metabolic pathways and inherited disease, proteins, enzymes and isozymes, carbohydrates and hormones, and nucleic acids. Discusses pedagogical advantages of this technique. (JRH)

Presents a laboratory exercise that demonstrates the sensitivity of the Polymerase Chain Reaction as well as its potential application to forensic analysis during a criminal investigation. Can also be used to introduce, review, and integrate population and molecular genetics topics such as genotypes, multiple alleles, allelic and genotypic frequencies, the application of the Hardy-Weinberg expression, and repetitive DNA. (JRH)

Presents a unit on the body's response to hypothermia. Includes activities in which students measure the amount of heat absorbed by a white piece of cloth and a black piece of the same material, use cooperative-learning techniques to design a graphic organizer that explains metabolic responses to cold stress, and study the effect of temperature on enzyme activity. (JRH)

Presents activities and techniques for introducing students to the concepts of digestion, chemical reactions, and enzymes. (PR)

Proposes as a unifying theme for high school biology the question of "how chromosomes determine what we are." Describes a sequence of lessons in which students learn about proteins, enzymes, and amino acids. Includes three dry laboratory exercises to demonstrate the DNA sequences for sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis. (MDH)

Biotechnology has arrived in the supermarket in the form of genetically engineered enzymes. Presents an activity in which students explore the presence of protease enzymes in laundry detergents. (MDH)

Shows how fruit flies can be used in the teaching genetics laboratory to correlate the principles of heredity with the modern understanding of enzymes. (Contains 16 references.) (MDH)

Reviews new developments in biotechnology--designer enzymes, biomining, gene cloning. Includes student outcomes, quiz, glossary, and a design brief on genetics. (SK)

Presents results of a study that examines the development and use of computer simulations for high school science instruction and for integrated laboratory and computerized tests that are part of the biology matriculation examination in Israel. Eleven implications for teaching are presented. (MDH)

Presents a series of laboratory exercises designed to introduce students to a realistic experience in biological research that is feasible with large numbers of beginning biology majors. The exercises center on the study of alkaline phosphatase. (DDR)

Presents research results on photosynthetic, carbon monoxide utilizing bacteria. Discusses applications of the research and offers three sets of experimental procedures and data that students analyze to determine which bacterium from a soil sample uses carbon monoxide fastest. (Contains 21 references.) (MDH)

Presents a course outline for the study of biotechnology at the high school or college level. The outline includes definitions, a history, and the vocabulary of biotechnology. Presents a science experiment to analyze the effects of restriction enzymes on DNA. (MDH)

The idea that errors and misconceptions in biology textbooks are often slow to be discovered and corrected is discussed. Selected errors, misconceptions, and topics of confusion about cell metabolism are described. Fermentation, respiration, Krebs cycle, pentose phosphate pathway, uniformity of catabolism, and metabolic pathways as models are included. (KR)

Traditional and novel uses of enzymes and microbes in the baking, brewing, and dairy industries are described. Cheese, yogurt, baking, brewing, vinegar, soy sauce, single-cell proteins, enzymes, food modification, vanilla, citric acid, monosodium glutamate, xanthan gum, aspartame, and cochineal are discussed. Industrial links with firms involved in food biotechnology are considered and suggestions are made for suitable teaching approaches. (KR)

Presented is a teaching progression that enhances learning through low-cost, manipulative transparencies. Discussed is instruction about restriction enzymes, plasmids, cutting plasmids, plasmid maps, recording data, and mapping restriction sites. Mapping wheels for student use is included. (CW)

An activity that introduces students to the correct handling of bacterial recombinants, antibiotic sensitivity testing, insertional inactivation, plasmid DNA isolation, restriction endonuclease digestion, agarose gel electrophoresis, Southern blotting, hybridization, and autoradiography is presented. A list of needed materials, procedures, safety precautions, results, and discussion are included. (KR)

Information about the biosynthesis of the carbohydrate portions or glycans of glycoproteins is presented. The teaching of glycosylation can be used to develop and emphasize many general aspects of biosynthesis, in addition to explaining specific biochemical and molecular biological features associated with producing the oligosaccharide portions of glycoproteins. (KR)

Discussed is the fundamental role that the favorable free energy of binding of the rate-determining transition state plays in catalysis. The principle that all of the catalytic factors discussed are realized by the use of this binding energy is reviewed. (CW)

Included are 30 science activities that include computer monitoring, fieldwork, enzyme activity, pH, drugs, calorimeters, Raoult's Law, food content, solubility, electrochemistry, titration, physical properties of materials, gel filtration, energy, concepts in physics, and electricity. (KR)

Uses a commercially available meat tenderizer for the source of an enzyme that can degrade meat protein and asks students to test the effects of incubating human hair in water with or without this enzyme. Teaches scientific methodology and the importance of experimental controls. (Author/YDS)