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Plant Cell and Molecular Biology (B4)

Recent discoveries in the plant sciences have illustrated the potential of modern techniques for the production of genetically engineered plants that are resistant to pathogens, herbicides, and adverse environmental conditions. A solid foundation in basic plant cell and molecular biology is required in order for students to participate in this green revolution. The novel experiments in this program are intended to provide this background. In the program, students extract and characterize enzymes and DNA from plant tissues, localize enzymes in plants at the tissue and cell levels, and analyze fundamental process common to all cells including mitosis, osmosis, and cell respiration. The program is ideal for introducing the beginning student to basic biological principles and plant biology and can serve as a supplement to elementary laboratory courses in botany, plant physiology, and agriculture.

Microscopes, slides, cover slips, a tabletop centrifuge, ethyl alcohol, and hydrochloric acid are needed, but not provided.

B4-1 Effects of Temperature on Cell Respiration. (View Individual Experiment)

Cell respiration can be viewed as a series of enzyme catalyzed reactions in which carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are broken down to carbon dioxide and water with the release of energy. During the process, hydrogen is removed from the fuel molecules and oxygen is consumed. With this background information, students measure oxygen consumption and hydrogen liberation in germinating barley at different temperatures. The program provides eight calibrated respirometers for measurement of oxygen consumption and the chemicals required to perform a graphic dye reduction assay.

B4-2 Extraction and Analysis of an Enzyme from Wheat . (View Individual Experiment)

Acid phosphatase is present in many plant tissues where it catalyzes the removal of phosphate groups from macromolecules at low pH. In this exercise, students prepare a cell-free extract from wheat germ and determine the amount of the enzyme present in the extract. The experiment offers practical experience with enzyme extraction procedures and is an excellent introduction to the analysis of enzyme activity and basic enzyme kinetics.

A colorimeter is desirable but not absolutely necessary for this exercise.

B4-4 Osmolarity and a Cytological Bioassay. (View Individual Experiment)

In this exercise, osmosis is examined in living onion epithelial cells which are used in a cytological assay to determine the osmolarity of an unknown sucrose solution provided with the program.

B4-5 Mitotic Activity and Cell Respiration. (View Individual Experiment)

The onion root has served as a model system for the study of mitosis, cell elongation, and cell differentiation in plants. In this experiment, students examine various segments of onion roots for cytological differences and then correlate their cytological findings with different respiration rates in the root segments. The exercise provides practical experience with tissue fixing, staining and slide making procedures, and introduces students to the concepts of cell division, the cell cycle, and differentiation in plant systems.

B4-6 Isolating DNA from Plants. (View Individual Experiment)

A first step in plant recombinant DNA research frequently involves the isolation of DNA from plant tissue. Students perform this procedure in the exercise where they prepare DNA from wheat germ by a simple procedure that uses a detergent, salt, and alcohol.

Prices

Catalog # Price Description
B4 240.31

The Chemical Package for 16 students working in pairs plus 17 student manuals and one instructor manual.
B4-C 185.69

The Chemical Package for 16 students working in pairs plus one student manual and one instructor manual.
B4-CR 146.86

Chemical Refill Package (contains the chemicals and biologicals only).
B4-SM 6.87

Sample Student Manual plus one instructor manual.

Basic Program 4 Contains:

  • Calibrated Respirometers
  • Tris Buffer (2 tubes)
  • Collection Plates
  • Chloronapthol
  • Wheat Germ
  • Macropipets
  • Glass Rods
  • Acid Phosphatase
  • Small Transfer Pipets
  • Extraction Buffer
  • Large Transfer Pipets
  • Sucrose Solution
  • Tetrazolium
  • Methylene Blue
  • Barley Seeds
  • Eosin
  • Potassium Hydroxide
  • Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
  • Corn Seeds
  • Cheese Cloth
  • Onion Bulbs
  • Ammonium Acetate
  • Hydrogen Peroxide (2 tubes)
  • Acid Phosphatase Substrate
  • Potassium Iodide
  • Nitrophenol Standard
  • EDTA
  • Large Test Tubes