Laboratory Manual for Biology

Colleen Belk and Virginia Borden Maier collaborated on teaching biology to nonmajors for over a decade at the University of Minnesota—Duluth. This collaboration has continued for an additional decade through Virginia’s move to St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York, and has been enhanced by their differing but complementary areas of expertise. In addition to the nonmajors course, Colleen Belk teaches general biology for majors, genetics, cell biology, and molecular biology courses. Virginia Borden Maier teaches general biology for majors, evolutionary biology, zoology, plant biology, ecology, and conservation biology courses.After several somewhat painful attempts at teaching the breadth of biology to non-majors in a single semester, the two authors came to the conclusion that they needed to find a better way. They realized that their students were more engaged when they understood how biology directly affected their lives. Colleen and Virginia began to structure their lectures around stories they knew would interest students. When they began letting the story drive the science, they immediately noticed a difference in student engagement and willingness to work harder at learning biology. Not only has this approach increased student understanding, but it has also increased the authors’ enjoyment in teaching the course—presenting students with fascinating stories infused with biological concepts is simply a lot more fun.

• Table of Contents Can Science Cure the Common Cold? Introduction to the Scientific Method1.1 The Process of Science The Nature of HypothesesScientific TheoriesThe Logic of Hypothesis Tests1.2 Hypothesis Testing The Experimental MethodControlled ExperimentsMinimizing Bias in Experimental DesignUsing Correlation to Test Hypotheses1.3 Understanding Statistics What Statistical Tests Can Tell UsFactors that Influence Statistical SignificanceWhat Statistical Tests Cannot Tell Us1.4 Evaluating Scientific Information Primary SourcesInformation from AnecdotesScience in the NewsUnderstanding Science from Secondary SourcesIs There a Cure for the Common Cold?Sounds Right, But Is It?THE BIG QUESTION How do I know what to believe?ReviewUNIT ONE Chemistry and Cells Science Fiction, Bad Science, and Pseudoscience Water, Biochemistry, and Cells2.1 A Definition of Life2.2 The Properties of Water The Structure of WaterWater Is a Good SolventWater Facilitates Chemical ReactionsWater Moderates TemperatureThe Drinking-Water Hypothesis Requires More Substantiation2.3 Chemistry for Biology Students Chemical BondsThe Bermuda Triangle Revisited2.4 Biological Macromolecules CarbohydratesProteinsLipidsNucleic AcidsDietary Macromolecules and Behavior2.5 An Introduction to Evolutionary Theory Sounds Right, But Is It?THE BIG QUESTION Does balanced reporting help us draw more accurate conclusions?ReviewIs It Possible to Supplement Your Way to Better Performance and Health? Nutrients and Membrane Transport3.1 Nutrients MacronutrientsMicronutrientsAntioxidants3.2 Cell Structure Plasma MembraneSubcellular Structures3.3 Transport Across Membranes Passive Transport: Diffusion, Facilitated Diffusion, and OsmosisActive Transport: Pumping Substances across the MembraneExocytosis and Endocytosis: Movement of Large Molecules across the MembraneSounds Right, But Is It?THE BIG QUESTION Should I routinely use detox products?ReviewBody Weight and Health Enzymes, Metabolism, and Cellular Respiration4.1 Enzymes and Metabolism EnzymesMetabolism4.2 Cellular Respiration Structure and Function of ATPCellular RespirationStages of Cellular RespirationMetabolism of Other NutrientsMetabolism without Oxygen: Anaerobic Respiration and Fermentation4.3 Body Weight and Health Body Mass IndexUnderweight Is UnhealthySounds Right, But Is It?THE BIG QUESTION How unhealthy is anorexia?ReviewLife in the Greenhouse Photosynthesis and Climate Change5.1 The Greenhouse Effect Earth Is a GreenhouseWater, Heat, and Temperature5.2 The Flow of Carbon5.3 Can Photosynthesis Slow Down Global Climate Change? Chloroplasts: The Site of PhotosynthesisThe Process of Photosynthesis5.4 How High Temperatures Might Reduce Photosynthesis5.5 How We Can Slow Global Climate Change Sounds Right, But Is It?THE BIG QUESTION Should global warming be kept below 4°C?ReviewUNIT TWO Genetics Cancer DNA Synthesis and Mitosis6.1 What Is Cancer? Tumors Can Be CancerousRisk Factors for Cancer6.2 Passing Genes and Chromosomes to Daughter Cells Genes and ChromosomesDNA Replication6.3 The Cell Cycle and Mitosis InterphaseMitosisCytokinesis6.4 Cancer Prevention, Detection, and Treatment Tumor Suppressors Help Prevent CancerCancer DetectionCancer TreatmentSounds Right, But Is It?THE BIG QUESTION Can I prevent myself from getting cancer?ReviewFertility Meiosis and Human Reproduction7.1 Producing Sperm and Eggs: Meiosis InterphaseMeiosis IMeiosis II7.2 Problems with Meiosis and Lowered Fertility7.3 Bringing Sperm and Egg Together Male Reproductive AnatomyFemale Reproductive AnatomySounds Right, But Is It?THE BIG QUESTION Does marijuana use impair fertility?ReviewDoes Testing Save Lives? Mendelian Genetics8.1 The Inheritance of Traits Genes and ChromosomesProducing Diversity in Offspring8.2 Basic Mendelian Genetics: When the Role of Genes Is Clear Genotype and PhenotypeGenetic Diseases in HumansUsing Punnett Squares to Predict Offspring Genotypes8.3 Extensions of Mendelian Genetics8.4 Sex and Inheritance Sex Determination and X-LinkagePedigreesSounds Right, But Is It?THE BIG QUESTION Should there be universal screening for killer diseases?ReviewBiology of Wrongful Convictions Complex Genetic Traits, Heritability, and DNA Profiling9.1 Eyewitness Testimony and Complex Genetic Traits Polygenic TraitsQuantitative Traits9.2 Genes, Criminality, and Implicit Bias Studying Nature versus NurtureThe Use and Misuse of HeritabilityImplicit Bias9.3 Positive Identification DNA ProfilingPolymerase Chain ReactionSounds Right, But Is It?The Big Question Should the death penalty be abolished in the United States?ReviewGenetically Modified Organisms Gene Expression, Mutation, Stem Cells, and Cloning10.1 Protein Synthesis and Gene Expression From Gene to ProteinTranscriptionTranslationMutationsGene Expression10.2 Producing Recombinant Proteins Cloning a Gene Using BacteriaFDA Regulations10.3 Genetically Modified Plants and Animals Modifying Crop PlantsModifying AnimalsGene Editing Using CRISPR in Plants and Animals10.4 Genetically Modified Humans Stem CellsGene TherapyGene Editing in HumansCloning HumansSounds Right, But Is It?THE BIG QUESTION Should anti-GMO activists give up the fight?ReviewUNIT THREE Evolution Where Did We Come From? The Evidence for Evolution11.1 What Is Evolution? The Process of EvolutionThe Theory of Evolution11.2 Charles Darwin and the Theory of Evolution Early Views of EvolutionThe Voyage of the BeagleDeveloping the Hypothesis of Common DescentAlternative Ideas on the Origins and Relationships among Organisms11.3 Examining the Evidence for Common Descent Linnaean ClassificationAnatomical HomologyDevelopmental HomologiesMolecular HomologyBiogeographyThe Fossil Record11.4 Are Alternatives to the Theory of Evolution Equally Valid? Weighing the AlternativesThe Best Scientific Explanation for the Diversity of LifeSounds Right, But Is It?THE BIG QUESTION Should high school biology teachers be required to "teach the controversy"?ReviewAn Evolving Enemy Natural Selection12.1 Return of a Killer What Is Tuberculosis?Treatment-and Treatment Failure12.2 Natural Selection Causes Evolution Darwin's ObservationsDarwin's Inference: Natural Selection Causes EvolutionTesting Natural Selection12.3 Natural Selection Since Darwin The Modern SynthesisThe Subtleties of Natural SelectionPatterns of Selection12.4 Natural Selection and Human Health Tuberculosis Fits Darwin's ObservationsSelecting for Drug ResistanceStopping Drug ResistanceCan Natural Selection Save Us from Superbugs?Sounds Right, But Is It?THE BIG QUESTION Should I stop purchasing meats that are raised using antibiotics?ReviewUnderstanding Race Speciation and Macroevolution13.1 What Is a Species? The Biological Species ConceptSpeciationIsolation and Divergence of Gene PoolsThe Evolution of Reproductive Isolation13.2 Are Human Races Biological? The History of Human RacesThe Morphological Species ConceptModern Humans: A HistoryGenetic Evidence of DivergenceHuman Races Are Not Isolated Biological GroupsHuman Races Have Never Been Truly Isolated13.3 Why Human Groups Differ Natural SelectionConvergent EvolutionGenetic DriftSexual SelectionAssortative MatingSounds Right, But Is It?THE BIG QUESTION Are affirmative action policies that favor black students applying for college admission good public policy?ReviewThe Greatest Species on Earth? Biodiversity and Classification14.1 Biological Classification How Many Species Exist?Domains of Life14.2 The Diversity of Life The Domains Bacteria and ArchaeaThe Origin of the Domain EukaryaThe ProtistaKingdom AnimaliaKingdom FungiKingdom PlantaeNot Quite Living: Viruses14.3 Learning about Species Reconstructing Evolutionary HistoryThe Greatest Species on EarthSounds Right, But Is It?THE BIG QUESTION Should lab mice and rats have the same rights as other nonhuman animals?ReviewUNIT FOUR Ecology Is the Human Population Too Large? Population Ecology15.1 Population Growth Population StructureExponential Population GrowthThe Demographic Transition15.2 Limits to Population Growth Carrying Capacity and Logistic GrowthEarth's Carrying Capacity for Humans15.3 The Future of the Human Population A Possible Population Crash?Avoiding DisasterSounds Right, But Is It?THE BIG QUESTION Should the international community continue to provide food aid to populations experiencing food crises?ReviewConserving Biodiversity Community and Ecosystem Ecology16.1 The Sixth Extinction Measuring Extinction RatesCauses of Extinction16.2 The Consequences of Extinction Loss of ResourcesPredation, Mutualism, and CompetitionEnergy and Chemical FlowsPsychological Effects16.3 Saving Species Protecting HabitatSmall Populations Are VulnerableConservation GeneticsProtecting Biodiversity versus Meeting Human NeedsSounds Right, But Is It?THE BIG QUESTION Is wind power good or bad for birds?ReviewThe Human Footprint Climate and Biomes17.1 Climate Determines Habitability Global Temperature and Precipitation PatternsLocal Influences on Climate17.2 Terrestrial Biomes and the Human Footprint TundraDesertForests and ShrublandsGrasslands17.3 Aquatic Biomes and the Human Footprint FreshwaterSaltwaterSounds Right, But Is It?THE BIG QUESTION Can my actions make a difference on global environmental issues?ReviewAppendix: Metric System Conversions