CH 402: Biochemistry Lab

Syllabus

Objective: These laboratory procedures are designed to introduce students to the essential concepts of classical biochemistry and fundamental laboratory techniques.  The laboratory exercises are designed to teach skills required for the proper handling of biochemicals as well as to emphasize the concepts presented in CH 422 (Biochemistry Lecture).

 Text Book:  This laboratory manual web site will guide you through the experiments.  In addition, reading assignments will be required from Modern Experimental Biochemistry, 3^rd Edition by Rodney Boyer (Benjamin Cummings 2000).  This text is an excellent reference book to keep.  Your lecture class text book

 Grading: There are 5 lab reports due, each of which will count 10 % of the final grade.  Additionally, you will complete a "Protein Project" where in you will purify a specific protein from a mixture.  The entire "Protein Project" will account for the remaining 50 % of your total grade.  Visit the "Protein Project" link for additional details. 

As instrument access is limited, you will be working in pairs: members of each group must participate and contribute equally to the performance of each task.  As a team, you will collect data and analyze your results.  However, each individual must submit a separate lab report and keep a separate lab notebook.  You may collaborate with each other in terms of data analysis and solutions to the problems. However, your lab report must be your own independent composition.  It is VERY EASY for me to spot copying between lab partners, so DO NOT  do it!!!

 Laboratory Notebooks: You are required individually to keep a laboratory notebook containing the title, date, objectives, materials and methods, and results for each experiment. Visit the following link to review a sample laboratory notebook entry. For the procedures section, a list of steps or a flow chart is most easily followed. Include tables for all dilutions and show all calculations in this section.  Prepare the title, objectives and procedures sections BEFORE coming to the laboratory! It is also best to prepare tables for results ahead of time as well.  Be sure to note any problems or observations in the results section. Such observations will aid in your discussion in the laboratory report.

 Try to keep your notebook as neat as possible.  I realize that mistakes are made and are common, but be neat about crossing-out “wrong” sections.  DO NOT ERASE!!!  Always write in INK!!  A research notebook must be organized and neat such that ANYONE could pick it up and repeat your work without any questions (and hopefully get the same results and observations).  Laboratory notebooks are scientific records and can be submitted as evidence in court trials, so learn now how to keep a neat, detailed (but succinct) notebook!!

 Laboratory Reports:   Type-written laboratory reports are required from each individual. View a sample laboratory report by following the link.  Each report will be due at the beginning of class on the week following completion of the laboratory exercises, or as noted in the syllabus.  Computer exercises and use of spreadsheets are required for data presentation and manipulation.  Excel is now on most of the computers on Post, and it is MUCH easier to use than Quattro-Pro for most of the data analyses we will be doing.  You are welcome, however, to use whatever spreadsheet program you wish.

          Each report must follow the format presented below.  A separate cover/title page is not necessary; just be sure your name is somewhere on the top of the first page.  Also include the name of your lab partner(s). Each report should be in straightforward, readable, and grammatically correct prose.  Use complete, simple declarative statements.  Please proofread your report to be sure it is logically presented and easy to understand.  Do not include extraneous information (test or numbers).  If you report seems confusing to you, it will probably be confusing to me, too!  

        Each of these lab reports may be resubmitted one time each to be regraded based on comments from the first submission.  This is to encourage you to learn and master the proper format for your lab reports and lab notebook.  Be sure to hand in the first submission with your revised version. Resubmissions are due one week after the graded report is returned to you.

 Lab Report Format

 Title: The title section should include the experiment number, experiment name, the date(s) performed, the date due, your name and the names of your lab partners.  Be sure it is clear that the report is yours and NOT that of your partners.

Objective: Include a short statement of the objective or purpose of the experiment.

Methods: DO NOT reproduce the experimental protocol provided.  Use numbered steps or a flow chart.  If the procedure required the preparation of reaction mixtures (for example, creation of standard curves) from stock solutions, tables showing volumes of components used should be included in this section.

Results:  Whenever possible, results should be presented in a table or as a graph.    

Tables:  Each column should have the name of the quantity and units at the top.  If one column of data was generated from another, show a sample calculation.

Graphs:  Each graph must have a title and the axes must be labeled with the name and units of the quantity plotted.  Graphs should be plotted with the quantities, units, and axes assignments (x-axis: independent variable; y-axis: dependent variable) given in the protocol.  Include the data points on all graphs.  If several sets of data are plotted in the same graph, use a different point marker for each set.  Include a legend to identify the various markers.  In most cases the spreadsheet graphics-routine will draw lines connecting the points. A line of best fit, however, will often be required, in which case you must repress the computer “dot-to-dot” line and generate a line of best fit.  (It is a real pain to do this in Quattro, but it can be done.  Excel is much more friendly in this regard.)

   Final answers should be underlined so that there is no doubt as to which value is your answer.  These answers should have the appropriate number of significant figures.  UNITS ARE IMPORTANT!! Provide the final answer in the units requested in the protocol.  Also, be sure to indicate which unknown you are investigating.

 Discussion:  Succinctly summarize your results.  Answer all the questions or problems from the protocol.  Be sure to cite any references you use.  Do not include a detailed theoretical discussion of the experimental results.

 Copy of Lab Notebook Pages:  Add a copy the pages from your lab notebook as an appendix at the end of each lab report. This helps me see where any problems have come from.