General Biology Laboratory Booklet

by Martilias Farrell, Ph.D.

Keywords: Experimental Biology, Planaria, Microscopy
ePub
PDF

General Biology Laboratory Booklet Cover

About the Book

This laboratory manual provides a diverse collection of experiments designed to immerse students in techniques mirroring those used in professional biomedical research. Students will explore fundamental enzyme kinetics, investigating how varying amylase concentrations and the introduction of chemical modifiers influence starch digestion rates. These labs emphasize quantitative analysis through colorimetric assays and densitometry using ImageJ software. The booklet also features studies with planaria, where students will assess how common substances affect locomotor activity and screen compounds for their impact on the remarkable regenerative abilities of these organisms, including generating concentration-effect curves. Additional activities guide students in using microscopy to observe microscopic life. Throughout these hands-on investigations, students will develop and refine crucial laboratory skills such as preparing serial dilutions, mastering precise pipetting techniques, and maintaining detailed, reproducible laboratory notebooks, thereby building a robust foundation in experimental design, data analysis, and the scientific method.

Chapters

  1. Note to the Reader
  2. Microscopic Life, Laboratory Notebooks and the Scientific Method
  3. Ecosystem Observation and Sample Collection
  4. Soil Core Analysis
  5. Microscopic Analysis
  6. Biochemical Analysis of Environmental Samples
  7. Enzyme Lab I
  8. Enzyme Lab II – Modifiers of enzyme rate
  9. Enzyme Lab III – Concentration Effect curve
  10. Planaria Locomotor Lab
  11. Planaria Regeneration Screen
  12. Concentration-Dependent Effects of Screen Hits on Planaria Regeneration
  13. Appendix A: Note for the Instructor
  14. Appendix B: Lab Notebook Format Entry Guide
  15. Appendix C: DIY Imager
  16. Appendix D: Using ImageJ To Quantify Images
  17. Image Citations

General Information

  • Publication Year: 2025
  • Edition: First
  • Subject: Biology

License

Public Domain

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Zero-Public Domain 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0 Universal) as a part of PA-ADOPT, except where otherwise noted.

Usage

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Citations

MLA: Farrell, Martilias. General Biology Laboratory Booklet. First, The Pennsylvania Alliance for Design of Open Textbooks (PA-ADOPT), 2025.

APA: Farrell, M. (2025). General biology laboratory booklet (1st ed.). The Pennsylvania Alliance for Design of Open Textbooks (PA-ADOPT).

Chicago: Farrell, Martilias. General Biology Laboratory Booklet. 1st ed. The Pennsylvania Alliance for Design of Open Textbooks (PA-ADOPT), 2025.

Peer Review

This eTextbook went through an Open Peer Review process. The peer review process used the Open SUNY Textbook Peer Review Guidelines, allowing peer reviewers to read the text carefully and evaluate the following:

  • Educational Significance of Content including accuracy, appropriate and useful materials, valid and significant concepts, models, and skills, and key  elements; 
  • Effectiveness as a Teaching Resource including a clear explanation of the  concepts, alignment of materials to the learning process of the target audience, and alignment of the learning objectives with course goals; and 
  • Readability and Ease of Use including clarity and comprehensiveness, consistent writing style, readability and ease of use (logic, sequence, and flow), appropriateness for target readership level, and quality of Interactivity and  multimedia learning objects.

As a part of the open peer review process, the public review conducted by Dr. Adedoyin Adeyiga is made available: Peer Review Document (PDF).