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Individual Experiments and Mini-Laboratory Courses for Cell Biology

B3 1-3 Mini Program in Chromatography (View Individual Experiment)

1. Separating Molecules by Gel Filtration

Students fill their chromatographic columns with packing material and separate three colored molecules of known molecular weights as shown in the photograph below. The exercise illustrates how components of a complex mixture can be separated by chromatography and introduces the concept of the standard curve for determining the size of an unknown protein.

2. The Molecular Weight of Hemoglobin
Students determine the size of hemoglobin and estimate the number of amino acid residues in this protein.

IND-22 Characterization of Peroxidases in Plants (View Individual Experiment)

This program was designed to actively engage students in exciting biological research projects of their own design. The projects focus on peroxidases, which form a large family of related enzymes that are ubiquitous in plants. Plant peroxidase isoenzymes can be tissue specific, developmentally regulated and display variable tissue and, high salt and disease resistance defense reactions and this induction may be related to the abilities of peroxidases to strengthen the plant cell wall and to kill microorganisms.

O1 A Molecular Approach to the study of Genetics and Evolution (View Individual Experiment)

The program contains selected experiments from Standard Program 1 and stresses the relevance of molecular biology to the study of human genetics and disease. The experiments provide an introduction to electrophoresis and to protein composition, structure, and function in health and disease. The exercises in the program are:

S-8 Tissue-Specific Proteins (View Individual Experiment)

Electrophoresis is a powerful tool for separating proteins in complex mixtures. However, it is often necessary to identify specific enzymes and structural proteins after electrophoresis so they can be studied in further detail.

S7 Contemporary Cell Biology (View Individual Experiment)

(Electrophoresis Equipment Not Required)

Today’s cell biology is a fascinating blend of molecular biology, biochemistry, and a variety of traditional disciplines. These fields are integrated into this program in order to introduce students to selected topics in eukaryotic cell biology.

In the program, students localize enzymes in plant and animal cells, perform cell fractionation procedures, and study the properties of a specific membrane receptor. Each exercise can be completed in one 3-hour or two 90-minute laboratory sessions.