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Laboratory II

Code: 101946 ECTS Credits: 3
2024/2025
Degree Type Year
2500890 Genetics OB 1

Contact

Name:
Jordi Surralles Calonge
Email:
jordi.surralles@uab.cat

Teachers

Vicente Martinez Perea
Sara Maria Dallares Villar
Miquel Llimos Turet
Helena Borras Gas
Joan Gomà Martínez

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

Students enrolled in this course for the first time should be enrolled simultaneously in the subjects: Animal and Plant Biology, Biochemistry and Animal Physiology. This course develops practical aspects of theoretical concepts studied in these courses.

Student must have passed the laboratory safety and biosecurity test, and be knowledgeable and accept the laboratories operating regulations of the Biosciences School. The test and the information needed to properly answer its questions can be found in the “Campus Virtual” area (http://cv.uab.cat)

Students should review the theoretical contents of each laboratory unit.

All the laboratory units are mandatory.

Students who do not wear a laboratory coat cannot enter the laboratory.


Objectives and Contextualisation

The Integrated Laboratory II is the second laboratory course of a set of six that are distributed throughout six semesters of the first three years of the Genetics Degree.
These laboratory courses aim to provide a solid basis for experimental procedures, techniques and skills in genetics and related sciences.
The laboratory practices reinforce the theoretical concepts acquired in the theory classes, allowing to fully understanding the essential dialogue between conceptual and experimentation that comprise the genetics science.
The Integrated Laboratory II has as its training objectives the acquisition of experimental competencies in 3 specific modules:

  • Animal and Plant Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Animal Physiology

Animal and Plant Biology

Botany

To learn how to recognize cyanobacteria, photosynthetic aquatic eukaryotes, higher plants and fungi through their morphological characteristics.

To identify the fundamental structures and their relevance through their most common representatives, in order to understand the evolution and morphological diversity.

Plant physiology

Learn how to determine the hydric potential of a fresh vegetal tissue and to observe the plasmolysis phenomena

To study the Hill Reaction in a suspension of isolated chloroplasts, using DPIP as an artificial electron acceptor. In addition, it will simultaneously determine in those chloroplasts the effect of a product commercially known as Diuron ® and used as an herbicide in agriculture.

To analyze water lost due to transpiration through the determination of the speed and rate of transpiration of plants exposed to different environmental conditions.

Zoology

To identify the anatomical and morphological characteristics of different animal groups.
Taxonomical identification and location ofthe different animal species observed.
To learn how to use dichotomous keys for animal determination.

Biochemistry

Be able to apply spectrophotometric techniques for the quantification and analysis of biomolecules.
Be able to use liquid chromatography, as one of the most common tools in the analysis and separation of biomolecules, interpreting the obtained results.
Be able to separate and analyze polypeptides by denaturing electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel (PAGE-SDS).
Be able to perform simple tests to analyze the catalytic capacity of enzymes.

Animal Physiology

This module is complementary to the theoretical concepts studied in the course "Animal Physiology". The objectives of these laboratory practices are that the students:
Acquire and consolidate basic notions of behaviour in an experimental biomedical laboratory.
Become familiar with some of the experimental techniques that have allowed the development of Physiology as a science, which are the basis of some of the principles addressed in the theoretical classes and seminars of the course "Animal Physiology."
Interpret and critically evaluate laboratory results relative to real or induced situations from a physiological perspective.
Recognize a professional path in Physiology.
Develop critical, organization and synthesis abilities.


Competences

  • Apply scientific method to problem solving.
  • Be able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
  • Be able to organise and plan.
  • Describe and identify the structural and functional characteristics of nucleic acids and proteins including their different organisational levels.
  • Describe the diversity of living beings and interpret it evolutionally.
  • Design experiments and interpret the results.
  • Know and interpret the metabolic and physiological bases of organisms.
  • Recognise and structurally and functionally describe the different levels of biological organisation, from macromolecules to ecosystems.
  • Use and manage bibliographic information or computer or Internet resources in the field of study, in one's own languages and in English.
  • Work individually and in teams.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply biochemical and genetic engineering techniques to identify and characterise nucleic acids and proteins.
  2. Apply enzymatic and biomolecule analysis techniques.
  3. Apply scientific method to problem solving.
  4. Apply suitable methodologies to classify animal and plant specimens.
  5. Apply the methodologies to identify animal and plant specimens.
  6. Be able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
  7. Be able to organise and plan.
  8. Design experiments and interpret the results.
  9. Determine and interpret physiological parameters in animal and plants.
  10. Determine environmental variables of ecosystems.
  11. Obtain, handle, preserve and observe animal and plant specimens.
  12. Use and manage bibliographic information or computer or Internet resources in the field of study, in one's own languages and in English.
  13. Use techniques for the detection, separation and purification of biomolecules.
  14. Work individually and in teams.

Content

Animal and Plant Biology module

Botany
Practice 1: Cyanobacteria and Eukaryotic Aquatic Photosynthesis
Practice 2: Spermatophytes (Angiosperms)
Practice 3: Fungi and Lichens.

Plant Physiology

Session 1: Water relations: measurement of water potential and observation of plasmolysis

Session 2: Photosynthesis - Hill's reaction in isolated chloroplasts and its inhibition by DCMU - Demonstration of the need for CO2

Session 3: Measurement of transpiration rate and velocity under different environmental conditions - Stomatal morphology

Zoology
Pr. 1. Sponges, Cnidarians and Flatworms
Pr. 2. Mollusks and Annelíds
Pr. 3. Arthropods
Pr. 4. Chordata

Biochemistry module

Practice 1: Determination of the concentration of glucose by a colorimetric method. Absorption spectrum of a glucose derived compound. Preparation of buffers.
Practice 2: Chromatography of gel filtration: Separation of hemoglobin from vitamin B12 and dextrase blue. Separation of proteins by PAGE-SDS electrophoresis.
Practice 3: Enzymatic activity of acid phosphatase. Determination of initial speeds to calculate kinetic parameters.

Animal Physiology module

1. Nervous action potential - LabAXON (computer simulation)

Place: Computer room
Estimated duration: 3h
Contents: Study of neuronal action potential characteristics with a computer simulation.
Definition and calculation of neuronal activity parameters.

2. Electrical activity of the heart: Electrocardiography - Performance and interpretation of an electrocardiogram.

Place: Laboratory (to be determined)
Estimated duration: 3h
Contents: Performance and interpretation of an electrocardiogram in different conditions.

Calculation of parameters related to cardiac electrical function.

Electrocardiogram analysis.

3. Enzymatic digestion - Determination of enzymatic activity of human salivary amylase

Place: Laboratory of practices (to be determined)
Estimated duration: 3h
Contents: Obtaining human salivary amylase.
Evaluation of the enzymatic activity in different experimental conditions: Type of substrate, temperature and pH.

4. Comparative anatomy: Dissection of a laboratory rodent

Place: Laboratory (to be determined)
Estimated duration: 3h
Contents: Necropsy (partially regulated) of a laboratory rodent.
Recognition of the basic anatomical organization of a mammal.
Recognition of the main organs.
Making basic anatomical-functional relationships

 


Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Laboratory ( Bio Animal and Vegetal: Bot 9, FV 9 and Zoo 10; BQ 10,5; FA 12) 50.5 2.02 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Type: Supervised      
Individual tutorials 1 0.04
Type: Autonomous      
Lab booknote 3 0.12 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Study 14.5 0.58

The subject is taught in small groups of students (maximum 20 per session) in the laboratory. Students have a manual or practice guide for each Module. It is necessary to read the corresponding part of each session carefully before starting the practice to obtain the maximum advantage. Students will have to produce the results obtained.

Module - Animal and Plant Biology

Botany

In each practical session it is mandatory for the student to bring their own dressing gown and the practice guides and the description sheets, both will be available on the Virtual Campus or when indicated by the teaching staff. You also have to bring a notebook, where each student will write down the observations made. For the realization of the practices, the students will workalone or in pairs and under the supervision of the professor. At the beginning of each session the teacher will make a brief theoretical explanation of the content of the practice and of the experiences and observations to be carried out by the students.

Plant Physiology

The student must prepare previously each practice session. You need to dedicate approximately 1 hour to review the theoretical concepts, the foundation of the practice, the methodology to follow and the objectives that you want to achieve.

After the preparation of the practice, another approximate time will be necessary to prepare the results obtained in each practice and answer the questions in the practice guide.

Zoology

Module - Biochemistry

Autonomous process based on guided observation and experimentation. Students will have to elaborate the results obtained and / or answer the questions posed in the practice manual.

Module - Animal Physiology

The programmed training activities include time of directed learning and time of self-learning.

Laboratory sessions / computer classroom: Classroom sessions to which students develop protocols and experimental situations contained in the practice scripts. These sessions are always carried out with a current teacher that explains the work to do and supervise the tasks that must be carried out in the laboratory / computer room.

Tutorials: Time of discussion and resolution of doubts / problems that appear during the time of directed learning or the one of autoaprendizaje. They will be done individually or in small groups depending on the requirements and the areas of the issues to be discussed. This activity will be programmed at the request of the students themselves.

Self-learning: Autonomous training activities (individual or in group) in which the student works and deepens both the content of the practical scripts and the experimental data generated in the computer lab / classroom. These activities include the reading and understanding of the scripts of practices before their development laboratory as well as the preparation of the corresponding questionnaires.

 

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Biochemistry (Continuous assessment of the results worked) 20% 1.2 0.05 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14
Module Animal Physiology (continuous assesment of the results) 20% 1.2 0.05 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14
Module Botanics (continuous assesment of the results) 20% 1.2 0.05 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Module Plant Physiology (Continuous evaluation of the results worked) 20% 1.2 0.05 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Module Zoology (Continuous evaluation of the results worked) 20% 1.2 0.05 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Attendance to practical sessions is mandatory. Students missing more than 20% of programmed sessions will be graded as "No Avaluable"

Module Animal and Plant Biology

Botany

The use of practices will be evaluated through a small test at the end of the laboratory session (15%), and an exam (85%) consisting of two parts: Visum, and Description of a fruit / fruit or corm modification.

Plant Physiology

A final individual written test will be done that represents an 80% of the mark. The practice notebook will be carried out in groups and will account the remaining 20% of the mark. The notebook will be delivered via Virtual Campus until one week after the end of the practical course.

Zoology

At the end of each practice the student will have to answer a questionnaire to evaluate that he has achieved the knowledge and the specific competences of each practice. The note of this module will be calculated based on the average mark of the questionnaires.

Biochemistry module

The student's attitude in the laboratory will be evaluated, punctuality, wearing the appropriate material such as a dressing gown, goggles and practical guides, previously worked at home for the student, as well as his work in the laboratory. The student on the day the teacher will give a questionnaire that will respond outside the laboratory. The evaluation of the attitude will represent 25% of the mark, and the evaluation of its degree by using the questionnaire presented the other 75% of the total of the module's note.

Animal PhysiologyModule

The final score for this module depends on:

1 - Assistance.

Attendance to the practicals is mandatory and is considered a requirement to be evaluated. Failure to attend any of the sessions, without adequate justification in accordance with UAB regulations, implies failure of the module.

2 - Laboratory work.

Scripts and questionnaires to be completed during the practices and that will be submitted for evaluation, following the instructions of the teacher.

Individual realization

40% of the final mark.

3 - Examination of practices

Exercises including short questions and/or multiple choice questions to be taken at the end of each of the practical sessions. These tests will be conducted online through  Moodle and will be scheduled outside the academic hours and in the period between 48 hours after the full completion (all groups of practices) of the practice to be evaluated.

60% of the final grade.

A grade equal to or higher than 4.5 must be obtained in all evaluation activities in order to calculate an average grade. To pass this module, all practicals must be passed with a grade equal to or higher than 5.0. Practical sessions a grade lower than 5.0 will be recovered in a final exam, which will determine the final grade. There is no possibility of improving the final grade obtained in this module.

To pass the course, it is necessary to first approve each module with a note = 5.

Students who do not pass the different modules of the subject will be able to recover them on the scheduled date for the recovery evaluation of the subject. Students who have not passed one of the modules after the recovery evaluation willnot approve the subject. In spite of this, it will not be necessary for a repeating student to carry out the teaching activities or the evaluations of that module passed after the second enrollment. Repeaters will only have to be evaluated for the specific module that has not been exceeded. This exemption will be maintained for a period of three additional license plates.

The final grade is the weighted average of the notes of each module, where evey modul is 20% of the final mark.

To be eligible for the retake process, the student should have been previously evaluated in a set of activities equaling at least two thirds of the final score of the module.

This subject does not contemplate the single evaluation system.

 

 


Bibliography

Module Animal and Vegetal Biology

Guide at Campus Virtual

Botanics

1. LLIMONA, X. (ed.) 1985. Plantes inferiors. Història Natural dels Països Catalans. Vol. 4. Enciclopèdia Catalana. Barcelona.

2. LLIMONA, X. (ed.) 1991. Fongs i líquens. Història Natural dels Països Catalans. Vol. 5. Enciclopèdia Catalana. Barcelona.

3. IZCO, J. et al. 2004. Botánica. McGraw-Hill-Interamericana. Madrid.

4. STRASBURGER, E. et al. 2004. Tratado de Botànica. 9ª edic. Omega. Barcelona.

5. Herbari Virtual UAB. http://blogs.uab.cat/herbari/

Vegetal Physiology

- Barceló, J. et al. 2005. Fisiología Vegetal, Ed. Piràmide, Madrid
- Taiz L i Zeiger E. 2010. Plant Physiology. 5th edition, Sinauer, Sunderland, MA (USA)

Zoology

BARNES (2009). Zoología de los Invertebrados. Ed. MacGraw-Hill. Interamericana. Setena edició.

MUNILLA,T. (1992). Prácticas de Zoología General. I. Invertebrados no Artrópodos. Ed. Oiokos-Tau.

BARRIENTOS, J.A. (2004) Curso Práctico de Entomología. Manuals de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Asociación Española de Entomología, CIBIO-Centro Iberoamericano de Biodiversidad & Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

 

Module Biochemistry

Guide at Campus Virtual.

Module Animal Physioology

Laboratory guide accessible at Campus Virtual.

The laboratory guides will include bibliographical references, to web pages or other media considered appropriate, as well as a correspondence to the theoretical topics, treated in the subject "Animal Physiology", which are considered relevant for the correct monitoring and understanding of each of the practices.


Software

No applicable


Language list

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 611 Catalan/Spanish second semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 612 Catalan/Spanish second semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 613 Catalan/Spanish second semester morning-mixed