Basic concepts in biochemistry including acid base titration, biological membrane fluidity, cellular respiration, spectrophotometry, photosynthesis and temperature effects on enzyme performance.
This lesson is designed to be used before the Lab. Questions have been set to allow multiple attempts for formative assessment. However, it is very simple to change the setting so that students may make only one attempt and their answers can be graded.
Independent learning (30 minutes)
This lesson includes a Challenge page to get the learners thinking about the main point of each exercise. Each exercise has an activity and an analysis page with questions to check their understanding. These check your understanding questions allow single attempts.
Group work (2 hours)
Acid-Base Titration
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In this lab, learners perform acid-base titrations and monitor them with a pH meter. They will determine the equivalence point of the titration, observe the effects of a buffer, and determine the pKa values of an amino acid. This lab is suitable for introductory chemistry, biochemistry, and biology students.
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Biological Membranes
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In this lab, learners take samples of beets and subject them to several treatments that damage cell membranes to various degrees. They then use a spectrophotometer to measure how much pigment is released from the beet samples, showing the extent of membrane damage.
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Introduction to Spectrophotometry
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In this lab, learners use basic problem solving skills and a spectrophotometer to solve a toxic waste disposal problem for a hypothetical company.
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Photosynthesis: Carbon Dioxide Fixation
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In this lab, learners explore the process of photosynthesis, and the effects light intensity has on this process. The aquatic plant Elodea is used, and the change in pH in the water is measured as it removes CO2 during photosynthesis.
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Photosynthesis: Oxygen Production
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In this lab, learners will measure the rate of photosynthesis by recording the oxygen change in a controlled environment. They will investigate the effects light intensity has on photosynthetic rate. They will also observe the rate respiration.
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Temperature Effects on Enzymes
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In this lab, learners will become familiar with analyzing enzyme activity using spectrophotometry. They will measure the effect of different temperatures on the performance of catechol oxidase, a common enzyme in many fruits and vegetables.
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