General Biology Lab Study Guide: Key Concepts and Applications

Lab 9 – DNA Extraction

Principles of DNA Extraction

DNA extraction is a fundamental technique in molecular biology, allowing scientists to isolate genetic material from cells for further analysis.

• Strawberry Mashing: Mashing breaks open cell walls and membranes, releasing cellular contents including DNA.

• Soap Buffer: Soap dissolves lipid membranes, helping to release DNA from the nucleus.

• Addition of Ethanol: Ethanol precipitates DNA, making it visible as a stringy white substance.

• Example: DNA extraction from strawberries is commonly used in teaching labs due to their high DNA content.

Lab 10 – Orientation Behavior

Kinesis vs. Taxis

Organisms respond to environmental stimuli through movement. Two main types are kinesis and taxis.

• Kinesis: Non-directional movement in response to stimulus intensity (e.g., woodlice move more in dry areas).

• Taxis: Directional movement toward or away from a stimulus (e.g., moths flying toward light).

Types of Orientation Behaviors

• Geotaxis: Movement in response to gravity.

• Chemotaxis: Movement in response to chemicals.

• Phototaxis: Movement in response to light.

• Thigmotaxis: Movement in response to touch.

Planaria Behavior

• Observed Orientation: Planaria exhibit negative phototaxis (move away from light).

• Anatomical Features: Planaria have a simple nervous system and can regenerate lost body parts.

• Phylum: Planaria belong to Platyhelminthes.

Lab 11 – Flowering Plant Reproduction

Major Plant Groups

• Vascular vs. Nonvascular: Vascular plants have specialized tissues (xylem and phloem); nonvascular plants do not.

• Spore vs. Seed Producers: Ferns and mosses produce spores; gymnosperms and angiosperms produce seeds.

• Flowering vs. Cone-Bearing: Angiosperms are flowering plants; gymnosperms are cone-bearing.

Flower Anatomy

Flowers contain reproductive organs. Key parts include:

Label	Part	Function
A	Stigma	Receives pollen
B	Style	Connects stigma to ovary
C	Ovary	Produces ovules
D	Anther	Produces pollen
E	Filament	Supports anther
F	Petal	Attracts pollinators
G	Sepal	Protects flower bud

• Pollen Storage: Pollen is stored in the anther.

• Ovule Production: Ovules are produced in the ovary.

Flower Function and Diversity

• Colorful Petals: Attract pollinators for reproduction.

• Richness and Evenness: Richness is the number of species; evenness is the relative abundance of each species in a community.

Lab 12 – Natural Selection and Evolution

Natural Selection

Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.

• Phylogenetic Tree: Diagram showing evolutionary relationships among species.

• Types of Selection: Directional, stabilizing, and disruptive selection.

• Lab Demonstration: Example: Simulating selection by predation or environmental change.

Lab 12 – Vertebrate Tissue

Epithelial Tissue

• Subtypes: Squamous (flat), cuboidal (cube-shaped), columnar (tall).

• Location: Found lining organs and body surfaces.

Muscle Tissue

• Types: Skeletal (voluntary movement), cardiac (heart), smooth (involuntary movement).

• Function: Skeletal moves bones, cardiac pumps blood, smooth moves substances through organs.

Connective Tissue

Type	Example	Function
Bone	Femur	Support, protection
Cartilage	Ear	Flexible support
Tendon	Achilles tendon	Connects muscle to bone
Ligament	Knee ligament	Connects bone to bone
Adipose	Fat tissue	Energy storage

• Electrochemical Impulses: Nervous tissue transmits impulses.

• Bone Calcification: Calcium salts are deposited in bone after injury.

Tissue Identification

• Microscope Images: Identify tissues by cell shape, arrangement, and staining.

Lab 14 – Animal Diversity & Sea Star Anatomy

Kingdom Animalia

• Distinguishing Features: Multicellular, heterotrophic, lack cell walls, specialized tissues.

• Phylum Without Tissues: Porifera (sponges).

• Radial Symmetry: Cnidaria (jellyfish, coral).

• Protostomes vs. Deuterostomes: Protostomes develop mouth first; deuterostomes develop anus first.

• Growth by Addition: Annelids, mollusks, etc.

• Growth by Molting: Arthropods, nematodes.

• Diversity: Arthropoda is the largest and most diverse animal phylum.

• Keystone Species: Species with a disproportionately large effect on ecosystem (e.g., sea otter).

Sea Star Anatomy

Label	Part
I	Arm (Ray)
II	Central Disc
III	Madreporite
IV	Tube Feet
V	Spines
VI	Anus

Lab 15 – Fish Dissection

Fish Anatomy

• Heart Chambers: Fish hearts typically have two chambers (atrium and ventricle), while mammals have four.

• External Anatomy: Includes fins (dorsal, pectoral, pelvic, anal, caudal), gills, eyes, mouth.

• Internal Anatomy: Includes spine, swim bladder, gonads, digestive organs.

• Paired Fins: Pectoral and pelvic fins are paired.

Lab 16 – Rat Dissection

Muscle Identification

• Major Muscles: Masseter (jaw), pectoralis (chest), biceps (arm), triceps (arm), gastrocnemius (calf).

• Location: Muscles are identified by their position and function.

Organ Systems

• Respiratory: Lungs, trachea

• Circulatory: Heart, blood vessels

• Digestive: Stomach, intestines, liver

• Reproductive: Ovaries/testes

• Urinary: Kidneys, bladder

Rat Anatomy

• Whiskers: Scientific term is vibrissae; found on the anterior side.

• Largest Organ: The liver is typically the largest internal organ.

• Abdomen Location: Found on the ventral side.

• Sex Identification: External genitalia are used to identify sex.

Online Lab – Biomes & Prairie

Biome Differentiation

• Key Factors: Rainfall, temperature, and vegetation.

Major Biomes

Biome	Defining Features
Tropical Forest	High rainfall, warm temperature, dense vegetation
Savanna	Seasonal rainfall, grassland with scattered trees
Desert	Low rainfall, extreme temperatures, sparse vegetation
Chaparral	Mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers; shrubs
Temperate Grassland	Moderate rainfall, grasses, few trees
Temperate Deciduous Forest	Moderate rainfall, broadleaf trees, seasonal changes
Coniferous Forest/Taiga	Cold, moderate rainfall, conifer trees
Tundra	Very cold, low rainfall, permafrost, mosses

• Kansas Biome: Kansas is primarily temperate grassland.

• Herbivores: Large herbivores that feed on grasses are called grazers.

Additional info: Academic context and definitions have been expanded for clarity and completeness. Tables have been reconstructed based on standard biology knowledge.