BIO2408: Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology

Course Description

This course provides hands-on training in practical biology within a laboratory setting, emphasizing both theoretical principles and experimental skills. Students will learn proper laboratory safety procedures, the correct use of laboratory equipment, and the handling of light and electrical microscopes. The course also introduces fundamental biological experiments. Designed for future science educators, the course equips students with the practical competence and pedagogical skills necessary to conduct and teach biology laboratory work effectively.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Apply laboratory safety procedures and demonstrate proper use of standard biology laboratory equipment.
2. Operate and maintain light and electrical microscopes for biological observation and analysis.
3. Conduct biochemical tests for detecting starch, glucose, and amino acids in various food samples.
4. Perform experiments on photosynthesis, analyzing the role of starch storage and the necessity of oxygen, water, and carbon dioxide in the process.
5. Integrate laboratory practices into teaching strategies, enabling them to design, demonstrate, and guide biology experiments for learners at secondary levels.

Required Materials

1. Microscopes (light & electronic if available).
2. Glassware: test tubes, beakers, flasks, pipettes.
3. Reagents: iodine, methylene blue, Benedict’s, Biuret, Sudan III.
4. Agar plates and microbial cultures.
5. Field equipment: quadrats, transect tape, potometers.

Books and References

1. Brown, A. F. (2015). Biology Laboratory Manual. Pearson.
2. Vodopich, D. S. & Moore, R. (2016). Biology Laboratory Manual. McGraw-Hill.
3. Alberts, B. et al. (2014). Molecular Biology of the Cell. Garland Science.
4. Cappuccino, J. G. & Sherman, N. (2014). Microbiology: A Laboratory Manual. Pearson.