How you will measure enzyme activity (method)

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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 review the Scientific Method Tutorial (found the Course Content section of the classroom under the Science Learning Center link) and the Scientific Method lab (Lab 1), so that you can better understand how to design an experiment.  It may also be helpful for you to review your textbook 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.  Feel free to refer to observations and information from Lab 4 as you complete the Final Applied Project (see the questions below). Or in other words, it is OK to use the same enzyme/subtrate/method as you did in lab 4 (but modify the treatment), or you can search on-line to find a different enzyme/subtrate/method for measuring enzyme activity.
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 and the acid, as well as explain your experimental protocol (this information will help you to answer question 2).  You must also thoroughly explain how the addition of the acidic fluid impacted the overall reaction process (this information will help you to answer question 4).
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 you need more)
· balloons
· plastic bottle
· marker for labeling of beakers
You may choose to use additional materials (different acidic solutions and/or different organisms and/or differnet subtrate(s) if you chose to look at an enzyme other than catalase).
Outline  submit in assignment folder in week 7.
I suggest you include the following in your outline:
· Name of enzyme you will use, and source (organism)
· The substrate
· How you will measure enzyme activity (method)
· What type of treatment you will you; type of solution(s), pH, length of exposure, how you will treat your samples
· The control(s) in the experiment
· Sample size
· Maybe how you plan to 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: title, your name, course name, semester
2. Introduction: introduce your project, include needed background information, the question(s) that you are asking and a clear hypothesis for your experiment.
3. Design an experiment. Provide a detailed account of the materials and methods used to conduct the experiment. Also include the methods 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 . Remember to include the unit of measure.
5. Use your knowledge about enzymes and acids to interpret and discuss your results. It may be necessary for you to refer to your textbook and/or use other information resources. What effect does the acidic treatement have on the enzyme activity? Looking back, how could you have improved your experiment?
6. What is your conclusion? Was your hypothesis supported?
7. Cite all reference sources used (including text book) and provide a reference section with citations in APA format

What are some of the examples of biotechnology that have made improvements to your life?

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Biology homework help
Assaignment # 1
The Discussion Board (DB) is part of the core of online learning. Classroom discussion in an online environment requires the active participation of students and the instructor to create robust interaction and dialogue. Every student is expected to create an original response to the open-ended DB question as well as engage in dialogue by responding to posts created by others throughout the week. At the end of each unit, DB participation will be assessed based on both level of engagement and the quality of the contribution to the discussion.
At a minimum, each student will be expected to post an original and thoughtful response to the DB question and contribute to the weekly dialogue by responding to at least two other posts from students. The first contribution must be posted before midnight (Central Time) on Wednesday of each week. Two additional responses are required after Wednesday of each week. Students are highly encouraged to engage on the Discussion Board early and often, as that is the primary way the university tracks class attendance and participation.
The purpose of the Discussion Board is to allow students to learn through sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to course content and the DB question. Because it is not possible to engage in two-way dialogue after a conversation has ended, no posts to the DB will be accepted after the end of each unit.
Background
Biotechnology allows the use of living organisms or their processes for human needs or purposes. Currently, this topic includes such general examples as cloning, stem cells (adult, umbilical cord, and embryonic), DNA fingerprinting, biological warfare, bioremediation, genetically modified organisms, vaccines, and transgenic plants and animals to name a few. In this assignment, you will explore specific examples of biotechnology applications.
Assignment Details
Part 1
Biotechnology is the use of a living thing or any part of a living thing to make a product or process that improves human life. For this part of the assignment, discuss the following:

  • What are some of the examples of biotechnology that have made improvements to your life?
  • Describe how one of these has made your life better.
  • Do you have any concerns with biotechnology? Explain.

Part 2
In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved food derived from cloned animals. In addition, these products will not need to be labeled as “cloned” or “from clones” (Black, 2008). The FDA explains that you will not be eating the clone itself. It takes thousands of dollars to clone a food animal such as a cow or pig. Animals that are cloned for improved food production will be used for a breeding program to produce many offspring with the desirable traits for increased meat or milk yield. These offspring of the clones will be fair game for food. Discuss the following:

  • Do you think there are differences between a clone and a “normal” animal?
  • How do you feel about eating a cloned animal?
  • Is your opinion of eating a cloned plant different?

Reference
Black, R. (2008). U.S. approves animal clones as food. Retrieved from the BBC News Web site: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7190305.stm
Provide references in APA format. This includes a reference list and in-text citations for references used throughout the assignment.
In your own words, please post responses to the Discussion Board posts of at least two of your classmates. Responses must be substantive, i.e. say something of substance that advances the discussion about the concepts. You will be graded on the quality of your postings.
For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, the AIU Library, Web resources, and all course materials. Please refer to the following:

  • Unit 3: Biotechnology Online

This assignment will also be assessed using additional criteria provided here.

What is the difference between the rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

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Biology homework help
Pre-Lab Questions
1.     Identify the major similarities and differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
 
2.     Where is the DNA housed in a prokaryotic cell? Where is it housed in a eukaryotic cell?
 
3.      Identify three structures which provide support and protection in a eukaryotic cell.
 
 
Post-Lab Questions
Experiment 1: Cell Structure and Function
1.     Label each of the arrows in the following slide image:
 
 
2.     What is the difference between the rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum?
3.     Would an animal cell be able to survive without a mitochondria? Why or why not?
4.     What could you determine about a specimen if you observed a slide image showing the specimen with a cell wall, but no nucleus or mitochondria?
5.     Hypothesize why parts of a plant, such as the leaves, are green, but other parts, such as the roots, are not. Use scientific reasoning to support your hypothesis.

Discuss the validity and future implications of the research. 

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BIO 119 – Biology for Health Professionals
 
Journal Assignment
 
The assignment is worth 60 points (39 drafts/21 final)
 
 
 
This is an INDIVIDUAL assignment!
 
 
 
The objective of this assignment is to provide you with experience in evaluating scientific research papers.  The abilities to understand and critically analyze the results of a scientific journal article are critical in the healthcare field.  For this assignment, you will evaluate how the scientific method has been applied in a peer-reviewed journal article.
 
 
 
You will complete this assignment in four sections (39 points) and then submit a final revised paper (21 points).  Due dates for all components are listed on your syllabus – do not forget!!  Every section is graded and details are explained below and in the rubric.
 
 
 
For this assignment, you are required to provide a summary of the scientific method as it was presented by the journal authors.  Refer to the following information when completing your paper.
 
 
 
Format: 
 
·                     The paper shall be about 2-4 pages in length, double-spaced, and 12-font type.
 
·                     Include your name at the top right hand corner of the first page.
 
·                     Title:  The title should be centered at the top of the first page of your paper, single-spaced, in 12-font type.  Choose a title that concisely explains the topic of your paper.
 
·                     A title page is not required.
 
 
 
Grammar and spelling:
The paper shall be written with proper grammar and free of spelling errors.  Use spell check, and carefully read your paper prior to turning it in.  ½ point will be deducted for each spelling or grammatical error.
 
 
 
Evaluation of Scientific Method and Research:
 
Identify and describe the following components of the scientific method in the body of your paper:
 
 
 
Section 1:  Definitions and Observations (8 points)
 
·         Definition of Terms and Concepts:  Define any important terms and concepts so that the reader understands the topic of the journal article.  You will likely need to reference additional sources of information.Make sure you properly cite the source(s) of your information.
 
·         Observations and Previous Studies:  Describe the observations that led the authors to conduct this study.  This information can usually be found in the background information and discussion sections of the article.  Describe at least one previous study that led the authors to investigate the current topic.
 
·         Question:  In your own words, state the question that the authors are trying to answer in their experiment.  The question should be specific enough that it leads to the framing of a good hypothesis.  This should be written in the form of a question.
 
 
 
Section 2:  Hypothesis and Experimental Design (10 points)
 
·         Hypothesis:  State the hypothesis provided by the authors of the article.  Make sure that you identify the statement as the hypothesis (i.e., “The hypothesis is…”).  The hypothesis should be written in your own words.  It should be specific and written in the proper format.
 
·         Experiment:  Describe the experiment as it is outlined in the journal article.  The following components must be included:
 
·         Independent variable:  State the independent variable.
 
·         Dependent variable:  State the dependent variable.
 
·         Controlled (constant) variables:  List the controlled variables used by the authors during the experiment.
 
·         Control and experimental groups:  Identify the control and experimental groups.
 
·         Description of experiment and data collection:  Describe the steps of the experiment.  Include a description of how data and results were collected.You will need to cite the journal article as the source for the details.
 
Section 3:  Summary and Interpretation of Results(12 points)
This section requires that you read the article, summarize the results with specific details from graphics in the paper, and explain the results of the study.  This section will be 1 – 3 paragraphs long, depending on the paper.  This section must contain the following:
 
·         Summary of results:  Describe the results of the authors’ experiment for each dependent variable.  Be specific and include examples of the qualitative and/or quantitative results.  Compare and contrast the results of the control and experimental groups.
 
·         Reference to graphic:  Choose one results table, graph, or diagram from the paper and refer to it during your summary of results.  The graphic must describe results, NOT the experimental design nor the demographics of the subjects.
 
·         Explain what information is being presented in the graphic.  This information is often found in the title of the graphic and/or the caption.
 
·         Describe the results presented in the graphic.  Give SPECIFIC examples of quantitative and/or qualitative data presented in the graphic.  Cite your journal article as the source of this data.
 
·         Explain what the results presented in the graphic mean in detail.
 
·         Explanation of results:  Explain the results as if you were explaining them to a patient or family member. Interpret and summarize them in lay person’s language.  What is the significance and health/medical application of this study? Write this as if you are actually explaining to the patient.
 
·         Analysis of hypothesis:  Discuss whether the hypothesis was supported or refuted.  Why or why not?
 
 
 
Section 4:  Discussion (9 points)
 
Discuss the validity and future implications of the research.  You should discuss at least two of the following points.  You must cite outside sources to support your statements.
 
·         Was the experiment designed and conducted according to proper scientific method?  Give specific examples of how it did or did not follow the scientific method.
 
·         Are the authors’ results supported by or in opposition to research conducted by other scientists?
 
·         What additional research or experimentation is needed?  What would you recommend to further investigate this topic?
 
·         What are the implications of this research (i.e., what is its use in the “real world?”)?  How does this research add to the basic field of study or to the disease process specifically?
 
 
 
Additional Resources:
 
Additional resources are required in this paper.  They may be helpful in understanding the observations (background) and analyzing the results of the experiments.  An additional source is required for both of your discussion points.  Additional resources must be cited in the paper and reference page.
 
 
 
Citations within paper (in-text or parenthetical citations):
 
You must provide proper citation of all references (including your article) throughout the paper.  In-text citations tell the reader where paraphrased or quoted information came from.
Paraphrasing is putting the ideas from a resource in your own words.  When paraphrasing, it is not sufficient to change only one word of a sentence!  See me if you are unclear on how to paraphrase.  If you copy word-for-word from a resource, you must put the quoted (word-for-word) material in quotation marks.  The majority of the paper should be in your own words or paraphrasing, not direct quotations from resources.
Follow APA style for in-text citations.  Refer to the APA Citation Guide and the following HCC webpage for more information on how to cite sources within the body of your paper:  http://www.harford.edu/library/citation_resources/style_guides/apaintext.pdf
Failure to appropriately cite resources within the body of your paper or to include quotation marks around any word-for-word quotations will be considered plagiarism.  Plagiarism may result in loss of points and possibly a zero for the assignment.
http://www.harford.edu/library/tutorials/captivate_tutorials/apa.htm provides a tutorial on how to create a reference page and how to cite sources within your paper.  You should complete this tutorial as part of your preparations for this assignment.  Additional APA citation information can be found at http://www.harford.edu/library/citation_resources/ and at http://www.apastyle.org/learn/tutorials/basics-tutorial.aspx
 
 
 
Reference Page:
 
This reference page will include the citation for the source of the article and for all sources consulted.  Follow APA style for the citations.  Use the APA Citation Guide on Blackboard to complete your reference page and in-text citatio