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Final
Applied Lab Project (1 credit Lab Component)
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, the scientific method, and appropriate technologies to ask
relevant questions, develop hypotheses, design and conduct experiments,
interpret results, and draw conclusions
This
is the culminating lab assessment in BIOL 103.It is
designed to assess your ability to apply the principles of the scientific
method.
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 first review the Scientific Method Tutorial, the
OLI module about pH and enzymes, Lab 1 (Introduction to Science) 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. It is OK to use the same enzyme/substrate/method as you did
in lab 4 (but modify the treatment), or you can search on-line to find a
different enzyme/substrate/method for measuring enzyme activity for your
project (include all references).
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, the substrate, the acidic
fluid used as treatment, the control treatment and the method of measuring enzyme
activity, as well as explain your experimental protocol. You must also
thoroughly explain how the acidic fluid impacted enzyme activity based on the
results from your own experiment as well as knowledge of enzymes and pH from
the OLI modules, lab manual and potentially additional information sources.
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 more is needed)
balloons
plastic bottle
marker for labeling of
beakers
You
may choose to use additional materials (different acidic fluids and/or
different organisms and/or different substrate if you chose an enzyme other
than catalase).
Outline (10 points)
submit in assignment folder in week 7.
Include
the following in your outline:
Name of enzyme you will use
Name of organism (if
applicable)
The substrate
Method for measuring enzyme
activity
Treatment: acidic fluid(s),
pH, length of exposure, how you will treat your samples
The control(s) in the
experiment
Sample size
Hypothesis
How you will 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: descriptive title, your name, course name, semester
2. Introduction:
general background information about enzymes and specific information about
your chosen enzyme, the question(s) that you are asking and a clear
hypothesis for your experiment (15 points).
3.
Design an experiment. Provide a detailed description of the materials and
methods used to conduct the experiment. Identify control and experimental
samples, as well as independent and dependent variables. Also include the
methods used for data collection and analysis (20 points).
4.
Conduct the experiment and record your results. What did you
observe? Present your data in table and/or graph format. Remember to
label everything and include the unit of measure with all numbers (20 points)
5.
Use your knowledge of enzymes and pH to interpret and discuss your results.
It may be necessary for you to refer to the OLI course modules, lab manual
and/or use additional information resources. What effect does the acidic
treatment have on enzyme activity? Did you get the expected results?
Explain. (15 points)
6. State
a specific and accurate conclusion. Is your hypothesis supported by the
results? Looking back, how could you have improved your experiment? (10
points)
7.
Include a list of references to all information sources used in APA format (5
points).
Avoid
Plagiarism
It
is very important to write with your own words. If you do copy
one or two sentences directly (use sparingly), use quotation marks (“)
around the copied text, followed by an in-text reference. All information
sources need to be included in the reference list and as in-text references.
Plagiarism will be reported to the proper UMUC authority. Guidance on how to
avoid plagiarism can be found here:UMUC’s How to Avoid Plagiarism
Submission
Submit
your final applied lab project in the assignment folder by the due date
specified in the course schedule.
Hide Rubrics
Rubric
Name: Final Applied Laboratory Project
Criteria
Excellent (90-100%)
100 points
Good (75-89%)
89 points
Adequate (50-74%)
74 points
Unacceptable (0-49%)
49 points
Outline 10 points (Due in week 7)
Outline
includes all the required components and planned experiment meets
requirements for the assignment and is clearly and accurately described.
Submitted on time.
9-10
points
Outline
missing one or two of the required components, and/orplanned
experiment does not meet one of requirements for the assignment and/orminor
issues with clarity and accuracy.
7-8
points
Outline
missing several of the required components, and/orplanned
experiment does not meet several of the requirements for the assignment and/ormajor
issues with clarity and accuracy.
5-6
points
Outline
missing most of the required components andplanned experiment
does not meet the requirements of the assignment.
0-4
points
Introduction,
Question and Hypothesis (15 points)
Background
information about enzymes in general and about specific enzyme used in
project is clearly and accurately written. Questions and hypothesis are
specific, relevant and clearly stated.
14-15
points
Background
information about enzymes in general and about specific enzyme is somewhat
unclear and/or inaccurate. Questions and hypothesis could be more specific,
relevant and clearly stated.
11-13
points
Missing
background information about enzymes in general orabout
specific enzyme used in project orquestions and hypothesis.
7-12
point
Missing
background information about enzymes in general andabout
specific enzyme used in project andquestions/hypothesis.
0-6
points
Experimental
Design, Materials and Methods (20 points)
Experiment
is designed to directly test the hypothesis; description of experiment is
detailed and well written and includes all materials and methods used.
18-20
points
Experiment
is mostly designed to test the hypothesis and/ordescription of
experiment is somewhat inaccurateand/or some information about
materials and methods used is missing and/orminor problems with
clarity an organization.
15-17
points
Experiment
is barely designed to test the hypothesis and/ordescription of
experiment is inaccurate and/or most of the materials and
methods used are missing and/or major problems with
clarity an organization.
10-14
points
Experiment
is not designed to test hypothesis and/ordescription of
experiment and materials and methods used are missing.
0-9
points
Results (20
points)
Results
are clearly and accurately presented in a table and/or graph format.
18-20
points
Results
are presented, but minor problems with clarity and/or accuracy.
15-17
points
Results
are described, but major problems with clarity and/or accuracy and/or
results not presented in table or graph.
10-14
points
Results
are not included
0-9
points
Discussion
of Results (15 points)
A
clear, accurate and well organized discussion of results that demonstrates
good knowledge of enzymes.
14-15
points
Minor
problems with clarity, accuracy or organization and/ordemonstrates
some gaps in knowledge of enzymes.
15-17
points
Major
problems with clarity, accuracy or organization ordemonstrates
minimal knowledge of enzymes.
10-14
points
Missing
discussion of results, or major problems with clarity, accuracy or
organization andmissing understanding of enzymes.
0-9
points
Conclusion
( 10 points )
A
well stated conclusion that is accurate and specific and directly related
to the data collected. Clearly stated whether or not the results support
the hypothesis. Relevant suggestion for improvement of experiment.
9-10
points
Conclusion
stated, but slightly inaccurate,and/or not directly related to
data collected and/orsuggestion for improvement of experiment
not very relevant.
7-8
points
Conclusion
stated, but inaccurate and/orbarely related to data
collected and/ormissing suggestion for improvement of
experiment.
5-6
points
Missing
conclusion, only suggestion for improvement of experiment.
0-4
points
Citations
(5 points)
All
references used are included and in correct APA format, in-text references
are included.
5
points
All
references are included, but a few minor mistakes in APA format, and/or missing
in-text references.
4
points
Missing
one or several references and/or major mistakes in APA
format.
3
point
No
references included or references not in APA format.
0-2
points
Grammar and
Spelling (5 points)
Less
than 3 minorspelling and grammatical errors
5
points
Between
4 and 7 minor spelling and grammatical errors
4
points
Between
8 and 12 spelling and grammatical errors
3
point
More
than 13 spelling and grammatical errors
0-2
points
Overall Score
Level 4
90 or more
Level 3
75 or more
Level 2
50 or more
Level 1
0 or more
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