Posted: September 16th, 2017

BIOL 102 Final Applied Lab Project – The Effect of low pH on Enzyme Activity (Use it as a Guide)

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 and the scientific method to ask relevant questions, develop hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, interpret results, and draw conclusions
This is the culminating lab assessment in BIOL 102. It is designed to assess your ability to apply the principles of the scientific method as you design your own experiment.
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.) It may be useful for you to review the Scientific Method Tutorial (found in the Course Content section of the classroom).
It is acceptable to use one of the enzymes/substrates/methods from lab 4, or you can come up with your own based on a web-search. Be sure to cite the references if you use the web for ideas.
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 different substrate(s) if you choose to look at an enzyme other than catalase).

Outline
I suggest you begin by developing an outline that includes the following:
• Name of enzyme you will use, and source (organism)
• The substrate you will use
• How you will measure the enzyme’s activity (method)
• What type of treatment you will use; type of solution(s), pH, length of exposure, how you will treat your samples
• The control(s) in the experiment
• Sample size
• How you plan to present your data (table and/or type of graph)
Assignment
Write a paper that includes the following:
I. Title page:
A. Title
B. Your name
C. Course name, semester
D. Instructor’s name
II. Introduction
A. Background information
B. Question(s) that you are asking
C. Clear hypothesis for your experiment
III. Design and conduct the experiment
A. Provide a detailed account of the materials and methods
B. Include the methods for data collection
C. Include the methods for data analysis
IV. Data and Results
A. List all observations
B. Present your data in table and/or graph (Remember to include the unit of measure.)
V. Conclusions
A. Discuss the effect the acidic treatment had on the enzyme activity
B. Clearly state your conclusion based on your experimental results
C. 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.)
D. Discuss how could you have improved your experiment
E. State whether your original hypothesis was supported
VI. References
A. Cite all references APA-style
B. Be sure to include in-text reference citations
VII. Grammar and spelling will be considered in grading your paper

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