BIOL 1115 - Biology Laboratory I

Course Description

In this five-day lab course, students perform experiments that illustrate the principles learned in BIOL 1113.

Schedule: https://www.tru.ca/distance/courses/summer-science-lab-courses.html

Learning outcomes

• Use and understand the scientific method to study various biological processes.
• Use laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, glassware, spectrophotometers, and staining reagents, with care and proficiency.
• Learn to observe both microscopic and macroscopic details relating to structure and function.
• Learn to recognize and classify cells as prokaryotic versus eukaryotic, both plant and animal.
• Learn the basic structure of DNA, RNA and proteins through use of models.
• Learn the processes of replication, transcription and translation.
• Learn the stages and characteristics used to identify each stage of mitosis and meiosis.
• Learn the difference between karyotypes of males and females.
• Understand the causes and consequences of chromosome abnormalities and resulting karyotypes.
• Understand the basic Mendelian genetics (dominant and recessive characteristics and co-dominance) through monohybrid and dihybrid crosses.
• Understand sex-linked traits and how to analyze human pedigrees.
• Understand the light reaction of photosynthesis by creating the absorbance spectra and action spectra of various plant pigments.

Course topics

• Lab 1: The Scientific Method
• Lab 2: The Microscope
• Lab 3: Cell Structure
• Lab 4: Membrane Structure and Function
• Lab 5: Part A - DNA Structure & Protein Synthesis and Part B - DNA Extraction: A Comparison Between Different Fruits and Vegetables
• Lab 6: Mitosis, Meiosis, and Chromosomes
• Lab 7: Genetics
• Lab 8: Photosynthesis

Required text and materials

Students are required to bring the following: 

• Printed laboratory manual which is found in their Moodle shell

Students are required to wear the following:

• Closed shoes
• Pants that cover the top of their shoes

Optional materials

The following material is optional and any edition of this textbook will be helpful for reference:

• Freeman, Harrington & Sharp. (2019). Biological Science with Mastering Biology Access Code. (3rd Cdn. Ed.). Pearson Canada
  Type: Textbook. ISBN: 978-0134883847

Assessments

To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the Final Mandatory Laboratory Exam.

Students cannot miss more than two lab sessions or an incomplete grade will be assigned.

For safety orientation reasons, students are required to attend the first lab session.

Recommended requisite(s)

Prior or concurrent registration in BIOL 1113 or equivalent is strongly recommended.