Sample cover and pages for sci-fi stories

 I don't own any pic. CR to the owners.

New Rubrics in Performing Laboratory Activity

Grading Rubrics for Lab Work

Score	Level	Description
Safety
4	Advance	Obeys all safety rules all of the time; a model of safety behavior; encourages others to be safe.
3	Proficient	Obeys all critical safety rules
2	Basic	May require an occasional reminder during perceived non-critical moments to obey safety rules; does not fool around; obeys most chemical and equipment rules
1	Novice	Consistent not following safety rules; endangers self and others
Participation / Effort
4	Advance	Efficiently utilizes all class time; professional work habits; completes lab
3	Proficient	Utilizes class time constructively; completes lab.
2	Basic	Stays on task most of the time; may or may not complete lab time allotted
1	Novice	Needs consistent monitoring to stay on task; may or may not complete lab
Data Collection/Observation
4	Advance	Actively shares idea; observation, and answers in each question in the activity; follows all the procedures in conducting experiments and recording observations; observations are exemplary; helps in identifying errors in data gathered
3	Proficient	Observations are adequate though more could have been recorded. Instruments have been read to limits and all units have been recorded. Sources of error and effect on data have been recorded
2	Basic	Critical data needed to meet basic lab objectives has been collected. May not have used correct format or followed all guidelines in expectations. Attempts to identify sources of error and effect on data
1	Novice	Critical data needed to meet basic objectives is missing. No attempt to identify sources of errors.
Techniques
4	Advance	Uses all equipment properly. Procedure taken and decisions made during experiment exemplify chemical literacy. Techniques employed insure accurate data collection
3	Proficient	Uses all equipment properly. Procedure taken and decisions made during experiment indicate good chemical literacy. Techniques used allow for accurate data collection
2	Basic	Most equipment is used properly. Techniques may lead to inaccurate data collection
1	Novice	Misuse equipment. Appears to have minimal understanding of how to conduct experiment
Clean-Up Procedure
4	Advance	Cleans working areas efficiently ( includes table, floor, and sink) ; returns stools and all equipment clean and in their proper places; Helps in cleaning working areas without being told
3	Proficient	Cleans working areas; returns all equipment clean and in their proper places; Helps in cleaning working areas without being told
2	Basic	May require constant reminder in cleaning up procedure
1	Novice	Helping in the cleaning up is inefficient

Second Quarter Activities for Biotechniques

PLANT PRESS

Materials:
Two pcs of plywood, 30cm X 30cm X 1cm
Rubber straps from old bicycle or motorcycle interior tubes

Procedure:
1. Cut the pieces of wood to size.
2. Cut the rubber straps from old interior tires of bicycles or motorcycles.

Illustration:

Notes:
1. Place the plant between several layers of newspapers between the press plates. Wrap the rubber straps around the plates and newspapers to hold them securely.
2. Ropes or heavy strings may be used instead of the rubber straps.

FLOWER MOUNTING

BOTTLE AQUARIUM

Example of bottle aquarium:

BOTTLE TERRARIUM

Examples of bottled terrarium:

Credits to the owners of the pics.

Activity for Biotechniques: Measuring Pollen Size Using a Razor Blade Scores Scale and Microscope

One technique used to determine the size of objects under the microscope is to compare it to an external standard as a razor score scale. This however, is made possible only on straight body tube, monocular microscopes.

OBJECTIVES:
1. To describe pollen grains seen under the microscope.
2. To determine how many times a pollen is magnified under the HPO of the microscope.
3. To illustrate pollen grains as seen under the HPO of the microscope.
4. To measure the size of pollen grains under the microscope using the razor blade scores scale.

MATERIALS:
glass slides
compound microscope
dissecting needle
razor blade scores scale
flowers with pollen grains

PROCEDURE:
1. Dust off some pollen on the surface of the glass slide.

2. Observe under the LPO of the microscope.

Q1. Describe the pollen grains.

3. Then shift to the HPO.
Q2. How many times have these pollen grains been magnified?
Q3. Draw 2 or 3 pollen grains as seen under the HPO. Indicate the magnification.

4. Ussing the dissecting needle, transfer dew pollen grains directly over the razor glade scores scale.

5. Observe the pollen grains under the LPO.
Q4. Describe what you have observed.
Q5. Make an estimated of the size of the specific pollen you are observing.
Q6. If four pollen grains can fit in one scale, What is its estimated size.

Activity for Biotechniques: Making a Razor Blade Scores Scale

In this activity, you will make a scale to measure sizes of objects seen under the microscope.

OBJECTIVES:
1. To use the HPO of the microscope in checking score made by razor blades on TP.
2. To describe the steps in making a razor blade score scale.

MATERIALS:
glass slides
Rubber band transparent tape
razor blades transparency sheet (TP)
Cutting mat or chopping board
scissors / cutter

PROCEDURE
1. Bundle 5 razor blades with rubber band.
2. Place the TP sheet on a cutting mat or chopping board to make scores on the TP sheet with one stroke of the bundle razor blades.
3. Cut out the scored TP sheet about the size of a cover slip.
4. Tape on the sides the scored TP sheet to a glass slide.
5. View under the LPO of the microscope.
6. Are the four spaces even or equidistant to one another? if not repeat 2-4 until you have an equidistant scored sheet.
7. You may have a razor blade scores scale. You will scale in activity.

Proper Handling of Lab. Apparatus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mGYahQf5rI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73Tl3aL2i1Y

DNA History

Discovery of the DNA structure

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VegLVn_1oCE

DNA Structure and Function

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLGGid17Wno

Molecular Genetics - Central Dogma

DNA Replication

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdDkiRw1PdU

Transcription
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtYz_3rkvPk

Translation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6O6uRb1D38&list=PL60C69E2C64C29289

Microbes Used in Biotech

Techniques

·         Microbes are tools used in many basic biotechnology procedures. For example, when scientists want to clone or make copies of genes, they will typically introduce the genes into lab strains of E. coli. Likewise, if they wish to produce large amounts of an isolated protein for analysis or medical treatment, they will introduce the gene for that protein into bacteria. Some bacteria even serve as vectors for introducing a gene of interest into plants. For example, when genetically engineering crops, biotech scientists often use Agrobacterium tumefaciens to insert genes into the plant cells' genomes. Viruses are simpler than bacteria but tremendously useful as well. Scientists use viruses when they want to introduce a gene into an animal cell. Moreover, viruses potentially offer a way to conduct gene therapy or replace a defective copy of a patient's gene with a functional one.

Potential

·         Microbes are more than just handy tools for the biotech industry. They also serve as platforms for better technology. The field of red biotechnology seeks to develop new drugs to treat disease. Some of these drugs are proteins that are produced by bacteria. The field of white biotechnology seeks new sources for industrial materials. For example, specially tailored microbes are used to help produce valuable chemicals. The field of green biotechnology works to improve crops, sometimes by inserting genes taken from microbes (as in the case of Bt cotton). Finally, black biotechnology works to invent new sources of fuel--many of which involve microbes. Specially designed bacteria or genetically altered algae, for example, are possible sources of fuel that could help to replace oil in the future.

Common Bacteria in Biotech

·         Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the best-known and most useful microbe in the field of biotechnology. While many people connect the name E. coli with food poisoning, it is important to remember that E. coli is a normal inhabitant of the human intestine. Although certain strains of E. coli are pathogenic and cause illness, most strains do not. Moreover, the strains generally used in laboratories have already been altered or selected for desirable characteristics. Another famous bacterium that is often used in biotechnology is Agrobacterium tumefaciens--a bacterium that in nature causes a disease called crown gall. The same attribute that makes this bacterium a disease of plants--its ability to insert its genetic material into the cells of its host plant--makes it useful to biotechnology researchers.

Common Algae and Viruses in Biotech

·         Although researchers in the field of black biotechnology are working with many different strains of algae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is perhaps the most popular algae in biotech and biology labs today. Because it is relatively simple to culture, it is useful in a wide variety of experiments. Popular viruses in biotechnology and biomedical research include retroviruses like HIV, which incorporate their genetic material into their host cells' genomes; adenoviruses, which cause respiratory tract infections but may also be useful as gene therapy vectors; and phages (viruses that infect bacteria), which are useful in a variety of molecular biology techniques.

Credits to the owner**

Traditional and Modern Biotechnology

Biotechnology

Ø  “bio” stands for biology, the science of life and “technology” – the tools and techniques used to achieve a particular purpose.

Ø  Any technique that uses living organisms or parts of the organisms to make or modify products, to improve plants or animals, or to develop microorganisms for specific use.

Ø  Its scope of application covers agriculture, industry, medicine, environment, and other fields utilizing innovative technologies.

Traditional and Modern Biotechnology

Ø  Consists of current well-established and widely used commercial processes based on properties of living organism.

Ø  Includes the following processes:

·         Brewing

·         Silage making

·         Dairy products

·         Food fermentation

·         Animal vaccine production

Modern Biotechnology

Ø  Involves the integration and use of complex techniques and procedures with the well- established approaches of traditional biotechnology.

Ø  Includes the following processes:

1.       Genetic engineering

·         also termed as “genetic manipulation”.

·         involves taking genes from their normal location in one organism and either transferring them elsewhere or putting them back into the original organism in different combinations.

2.       Bioprocessing

·         A type of advanced manufacturing that involves chemical, physical, and biological processes employed by living organisms or their cellular components.

·         Offers new production opportunities of wide ranges of items including:

ü  Alternative fuels such as ethanol, methane, and diesel hydrocarbons,

ü  Commodity chemicals such as enzymes, organic acids, and solvents,

ü  Polymers for films, coating, and other specialty uses,

ü  Foods, such as glucose and glucose-fructose syrups

ü  Improved high-value products, such as naturally-occurring non-toxic pesticides, flavoring agents, and pharmaceuticals.

3.       Antisense

Ø  Involves the use of synthetic segments of DNA or RNA called oligonucleotides to stop the production of disease-related proteins.

Ø  Antisense therapeutics have the potential to treat many life-threatening diseases such as: hepatitis, cancers, coronary artery restenosis

4.       Protein engineering

Ø  Judging from the diversity of function found among enzymes in nature, protein is the good medium to use in the design of molecular devices

Ø  The production of virtually any protein we can dream up to perform specific functions.

5.       Monoclonal Antibody

Ø  A super-specific type of antibody used as process aids in the manufacture of high value biochemicals, and as highly specific diagnostic kits for the determination of diseases, hormone levels, etc.

6.       Biosensor Technology

Ø  Analytical devices which are capable of providing either qualitative or quantitative results

Ø  Involves the “marriage” of the biological world and the physical electronic  world

Ø  In medical field, biosensors allow clinical analysis to be performed at the bedside, in critical care units and doctors’ offices rather than in centralized laboratories.

Rubrics for Group Collaboration

Group No. _______                                   Yr. & Sec. ___________________

Title __________________________________

CATEGORY	5 - Exceptional	3 – Acceptable	1 - Minimum	0 – Needs Improvement
Attitude	Never is publicly critical of the project or the work of others. Always has a positive attitude about the task(s).	Rarely is publicly critical of the project or the work of others. Often has a positive attitude about the task(s).	Occasionally is publicly critical of the project or the work of other members of the group. Usually has a positive attitude about the task(s).	Often is publicly critical of the project or the work of other members of the group. Often has a negative attitude about the task(s).
Focus on the task	Consistently stays focused on the task and what needs to be done. Very self-directed.	Focuses on the task and what needs to be done most of the time. Other group members can count on this person.	Focuses on the task and what needs to be done some of the time. Other group members must sometimes nag, prod, and remind to keep this person on-task.	Rarely focuses on the task and what needs to be done. Lets others do the work.
Working with Others	Almost always listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others. Tries to keep people working well together.	Usually listens to, shares, with, and supports the efforts of others. Does not cause "waves" in the group.	Often listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others, but sometimes is not a good team member.	Rarely listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others. Often is not a good team player.
Contributions	Routinely provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A definite leader who contributes a lot of effort.	Usually provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A strong group member who tries hard!	Sometimes provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A satisfactory group member who does what is required.	Rarely provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. May refuse to participate.
Quality of Work	Provides work of the highest quality.	Provides high quality work.	Provides work that occasionally needs to be checked/redone by other group members to ensure quality.	Provides work that usually needs to be checked/redone by others to ensure quality.
Time-management	Routinely uses time well throughout the project to ensure things get done on time. Group does not have to adjust deadlines or work responsibilities.	Usually uses time well throughout the project, but may have procrastinated or wasted time on one thing. Group does not have to adjust deadlines or work responsibilities because of this person's procrastination or time wasting.	Tends to procrastinate or waste time, but always gets things done by the deadlines. Group does not have to adjust deadlines or work responsibilities because of this person's procrastination.	Rarely gets things done by the deadlines AND group has to adjust deadlines or work responsibilities because of this person's inadequate time management.
Preparedness	Brings needed materials to class and is always ready to work.	Almost always brings needed materials to class and is ready to work.	Almost always brings needed materials but sometimes needs to settle down and get to work	Often forgets needed materials or is rarely ready to get to work.