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Understanding of immunological techniques such as the Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) is an important part of instructional units in human health, developmental biology, microbiology, and biotechnology. This paper describes a simple ELISA exercise for undergraduate biology that effectively simulates the technique using a paper model. This hands-on procedure is designed for use as either a laboratory or classroom exercise. (JRH)

Because of the daily impact of biotechnology, it is important that students have some knowledge and experience with biotechnology in order to enable them to deal with the issues that arise as a result of its implementation. The purpose of this workbook is to assist in the efforts to expose students to the concepts of biotechnology through hands-on project activities. The projects in this book represent ideas that may be used as a starting point for a student project. These projects may be modified and adapted to suit each situation. In some cases, the student will have to work at a local university or research lab. Suggested student research projects in the following areas are presented: (1) Biotechnology in Food Production, (2) Biopolymer Synthesis, (3) Plant Biotechnology, (4) Enzyme Expression and Production, (5) Altering Genetic Characteristics, (6) Applications of DNA Analysis, (7) Protein Analysis, (8) Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, and (9) Cellular Physiology. (PR)

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 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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

This document contains biology labs, demonstrations, and activities that use low budget materials. The goal is to get students involved in the learning process by experiencing biology. Each lab has a teacher preparation section which outlines the purpose of the lab, some basic information, a list of materials , and how to prepare the different solutions and chemicals. All the labs/activities/demonstrations were designed for 55 minute lab periods. Labs and activities include: Lactase Enzyme Lab, The Rate of Paperase Lab, Gelatin and Enzyme Activity, Protein Shape Activity, Protein Synthesis, Proteins, and Mutations Activity, Simple and Small Song, Amylase Regulation in Prokaryotes, Classification Activity, Guard Cell Observation Lab, Twig Anatomy Activity, Upper Arm Model, Hormone Match Game, and Population Estimation and Growth Simulation. (JRH)

ChemSource is designed as a strategy to help preservice and inservice high school chemistry teachers promote student learning more effectively. Its major premise is that well-designed laboratory investigations are an important avenue for cultivating student interest, engagement, and meaningful learning in chemistry. The SourceBook component of ChemSource is a resource containing 36 content modules and additional supporting materials which aim at providing specific teaching tips and the best available instructional ideas and information gleaned from experienced, successful chemistry teachers. Each content module features: Content-in-a-Nutshell; Laboratory Activities; Demonstrations; Common Misconceptions; Humor; Applications and Implications; Analogies; Reference Resources; History; and Media. General materials on pedagogy, classroom management, safety, teaching chemistry to the disabled, and other useful resources and tabulations precede and follow the content modules. Volume 1 includes the following: Chemical Pedagogy; User's Guide; General Resources; Acids and Bases; Alkali Metals; Atomic Structure; Biogeochemical Cycles; Chemical Bonding; Condensed States; Electrochemistry; and Enzymes. (JRH)

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

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)

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)

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 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)

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)