Recognize and explain how the scientific method

Assignment Help Biology
Reference no: EM13900074

Final Applied Lab Project
Instructions

Final Applied Lab Project (1 credit Lab Component)

Addresses course outcomes 1-4:

  • recognize and explain how the scientific method is used to solve problems
  • make observations and discriminate between scientific and pseudoscientific explanations
  • weigh evidence and make decisions based on strengths and limitations of scientific knowledge and the scientific method
  • use knowledge of biological principles, the scientific method, and appropriate technologies to ask relevant questions, develop hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, interpret results, and draw conclusions

This is the culminating lab assessment in BIOL 103. It is designed to assess your ability to apply the principles of the scientific method.

The Effect of low pH on Enzyme Activity

Design an experiment in which you will test the effect of an acidic fluid on enzymatic activity. Recall: enzymes are proteins! To complete this project, it may be useful for you to first review the Scientific Method Tutorial, the OLI module about pH and enzymes, Lab 1 (Introduction to Science) and Lab 4 (Enzymes). As you review Lab 4, you will be reminded that there are several factors that impact enzymatic activity: pH, temperature, and amount of reagent. It is OK to use the same enzyme/substrate/method as you did in lab 4 (but modify the treatment), or you can search on-line to find a different enzyme/substrate/method for measuring enzyme activity for your project (include all references).

As you design your experiment for this project, please remember that you are trying to examine how an acidic fluid will modify the outcome of an enzymatic reaction. To successfully complete this project, you will need to identify the question(s) being asked in your experiment and the hypothesis that you are testing. In your experimental design, you must clearly explain what you are doing. That means that you will need to identify the enzyme, the substrate, the acidic fluid used as treatment, the control treatment and the method of measuring enzyme activity, as well as explain your experimental protocol. You must also thoroughly explain how the acidic fluid impacted enzyme activity based on the results from your own experiment as well as knowledge of enzymes and pH from the OLI modules, lab manual and potentially additional information sources.

Hint: Keep in mind that the acid will change the environmental conditions of the experiment (for example, a low pH value could change the shape of the active site on the enzyme protein), without directly participating in the reaction.

Lab Materials

You may need all or some of the following, depending on your experimental design:

Materials from your lab kit:

  • pH paper
  • hydrogen peroxide solution (you can purchase this at a pharmacy if you have used up the bottle that came with the lab kit)
  • plastic beakers or cups
  • vinegar
  • yeast (can be purchased at grocery store if more is needed)
  • balloons
  • plastic bottle
  • marker for labeling of beakers

You may choose to use additional materials (different acidic fluids and/or different organisms and/or different substrate if you chose an enzyme other than catalase).

Outline submit in assignment folder in week 5.

Include the following in your outline:

  • Name of enzyme you will use
  • Name of organism (if applicable)
  • The substrate
  • Method for measuring enzyme activity
  • Treatment: acidic fluid(s), pH, length of exposure, how you will treat your samples
  • The control(s) in the experiment
  • Sample size
  • Hypothesis
  • How you will present your data (table and/or type of graph)
  • Anything else you would like to get feedback on before you start your experiment

 

Write a paper that includes the following:

1. Title page: descriptive title, your name, course name, semester

2. Introduction: general background information about enzymes and specific information about your chosen enzyme, the question(s) that you are asking and a clear hypothesis for your experiment

3. Design an experiment. Provide a detailed description of the materials and methods used to conduct the experiment. Identify control and experimental samples, as well as independent and dependent variables. Also include the methods used for data collection and analysis 

4. Conduct the experiment and record your results. What did you observe? Present your data in table and/or graph format. Remember to label everything and include the unit of measure with all numbers 

5. Use your knowledge of enzymes and pH to interpret and discuss your results. It may be necessary for you to refer to the OLI course modules, lab manual and/or use additional information resources. What effect does the acidic treatment have on enzyme activity? Did you get the expected results? Explain.

6. State a specific and accurate conclusion. Is your hypothesis supported by the results? Looking back, how could you have improved your experiment?

7. Include a list of references to all information sources used in APA format 

Avoid Plagiarism

It is very important to write with your own words. If you do copy one or two sentences directly (use sparingly), use quotation marks (") around the copied text, followed by an in-text reference. All information sources need to be included in the reference list and as in-text references. Plagiarism will be reported to the proper UMUC authority. Guidance on how to avoid plagiarism can be found here: https://www.umuc.edu/students/academic-integrity/ai-tutorial/academic-integrity-tutorial.html

Submission

Submit your final applied lab project in the assignment folder by the due date specified in the course schedule.

Reference no: EM13900074

Questions Cloud

Why were inventories recorded at market value : Why were inventories recorded at market value? What are consignment inventories, and why were they excluded from the balance sheet valuation?
Examine the rates of growth in the service categories : Examine the rates of growth in the service categories
The study of environmental science : Discussion Topic 1: The Study of Environmental Science Why is the study of environmental science important to your everyday life?
Determine the inventory turnover and number of days sales : Determine the inventory turnover and number of days sales in inventory for Neiman Marcus and Amazon.com. Interpret your results.
Recognize and explain how the scientific method : Recognize and explain how the scientific method is used to solve problems make observations and discriminate between scientific and pseudoscientific explanations weigh evidence and make decisions based on strengths and limitations of scientific knowl..
What cultural differences do you need to be sensitive : What cultural differences do you need to be sensitive to in the process?
Determine the attraction of the icbc : Determine the attraction of the ICBC in regards to providing exchange listings to foreign investors. Provide examples of why investors would be interested.
What the earnings before income taxes for year ended august : Determine what total inventories at August 31, 2004, would have been, using the fifo method, and what earnings before income taxes for year ended August 31, 2004, would have been if fifo had been used instead of lifo.
What standard your client must show to get a variance : What standard your client must show to get a variance to allow him to build the gas station; and If you can find any case law on the basis of which to guess whether he will be successful. Please do so. There is NO need to write an IRAC-style essay ..

Reviews

Write a Review

Biology Questions & Answers

  Immune response to infectious disease

It is a very curcial concept to understand how the immune response is mounted against viruses, bacteria, protozoans and helminthes. For an effective immune response, both innate and adaptive immunity should work together.

  A review on advanced glycated end products (ages)

This Project report elaborates a critical review of important elements attached to Advanced Glycated End Products (AGEs). It is very crucial to understand the process called Millard reaction.

  Plastic as a soil stabilizer

Soil stabilization is the permanent physical and chemical alteration of soils to enhance their physical properties. Stabilization can increase the shear strength of a soil and control the shrink-swell properties.

  Principles of microbiology

This assignment has three parts which contains questions related to Microbiology. It contains basic principles of microscopy, staining techniques in microbiology and microbial growth in the food industry.

  List the biologic functions

Lipid metabolites are often seen as key elements in cellular signaling. Is this unique? Please provide several examples of the function of lipids as key elements in signal arrays and list the biologic functions these signals affect?

  Biologic function relationships

Please describe how one might search for chemical structure, biologic function relationships, involving small molecular weight lipophylic compounds. Provide one example.

  Case study on patient in the haematology laboratory

Write a case study which detailing a scenario of a patient being investigated in the Haematology laboratory.

  Use of pcr and genetic approaches in biotechnology

The use of PCR and genetic approaches in biotechnology

  Describe the role of this enzyme in honey

Glucose oxidase is an enzyme that can be used for measurements of glucose levels by combining this reaction with an oxygen probe.

  Genetic problems

What phenotypic ratio would you get if you crossed a white mouse and a heterozygous brown mouse?

  Prepare an essay on nosocomial infection

Prepare an essay on nosocomial infection.

  Monitoring and recording the blood pressure

To increase the awareness of monitoring and recording the blood pressure of patients and practice measuring blood pressure in a safe environment.

Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd