biochemistry experiments

Four Cool Biology Experiments for Teaching College Students

Biology survey courses in college sometimes turn on students to new careers in the health and life sciences. And survey courses in biology in college never have to be dull. Modern Biology Inc. produces complete kits — reagents , test materials , and teaching guides — every intro biology instructor can use to keep college students engaged. Here are four examples of cool and engaging experiments:

1. Gel Electrophoresis Many introductory biology students have not learned the concept of what proteins are, or how they might be observed and compared, until they participate in a lab exercise like our EXP-101 Electrophoretic Separation of Proteins. In this experiment, students are not just watching a demonstration of how scientists identify proteins. They will have a hands-on experience with electrophoresis in the lab in which they can compare the migration of a control against the migration of an experimental protein across a charged agarose gel.

2. Sickle Cell Anemia Just about all college biology students will have some knowledge of sickle cell disease. Most just haven’t dug deeper into learning about heterozygous sickle cell trait, or how it’s possible to test for the genes that cause it — until they do actual blood testing for sickle cell genes in our EXP 102: Genetics and Sickle Cell Anemia . In this experiment, students will first study the differences in electrophoretic dispersal of normal hemoglobin and hemoglobin from a person who has sickle cell trait. Then they can *optionally* test their own blood for sickle cell genes.

3. Cell Respiration There’s more to experimental biology than electrophoresis, of course. In B4-1: Effects of Temperature on Cell Respiration , your students will first rethink their understanding of how animals breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, but plants must somehow be oxygen producers 24/7. In this experiment, your students will measure oxygen consumption and hydrogen liberation of germinating seedlings with respirometers at varying temperature levels. They will use dyes to create a visual, analog measurement of respiration in plants for graphic confirmation or disconfirmation of their hypotheses about the nature of plant respiration in seedlings.

4. Cell Surface Receptors In EXP 702: Analysis of a Cell Surface Receptor, your students will learn about their own cell surface receptors from a buccal swab. They will study multiple sites for concanavalin A binding and the hemagglutination reaction in their own cells.

Great Experiments and Supplies for Your Students

Modern Biology’s products are always fully engaged experiments, never demonstrations. Our reagents and test solutions are the real deal.

Modern Biology ensures that our products are non-toxic and safe for student use. Student safety is paramount in every product we create.

Modern Biology takes the hassle out of sourcing reagents and test materials. Our experiments are complete with reagents, disposable labware and digital instructions. Modern Biology has tailored our experiments so that the same equipment can be used with either our Protein or DNA labs.

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5 biology experiments you can do at home

Try you hand in biochemistry!

Safe­ty pre­cau­tions

Con­duct this ex­per­i­ment only un­der adult su­per­vi­sion.

How can you iso­late DNA in your own kitchen?

DNA is a mol­e­cule with a com­plex struc­ture that stores and pass­es on the ge­net­ic in­for­ma­tion of ev­ery liv­ing or­gan­ism on Earth. This sim­ple method of DNA ex­trac­tion is based on us­ing sur­fac­tants (soap) to de­stroy the lipid lay­ers of ba­nana cells’ mem­branes and nu­clei. Then, sodi­um ions from the ta­ble salt con­vert the DNA mol­e­cules from the de­stroyed cell ma­te­ri­al into a form that eas­i­ly pre­cip­i­tates from the cold iso­propyl al­co­hol.

What is kom­bucha? Just a drink, or …?

A SCO­BY (Sym­bi­ot­ic Cul­ture Of Bac­te­ria and Yeast) is a sym­bi­ot­ic or­gan­ism con­sist­ing of two com­po­nents: bac­te­ria and yeast, as the name sug­gests. The yeast fer­ments sug­ar to form al­co­hol and car­bon diox­ide, and acetic acid bac­te­ria ox­i­dize the al­co­hol and con­vert it into or­gan­ic acids. They grad­u­al­ly cre­ate a com­plex sys­tem that forms a thin film on the liq­uid's sur­face. As the bac­te­ria and yeast mul­ti­ply, the film thick­ens and ac­quires a char­ac­ter­is­tic jel­ly­fish-like shape. This gives it its name: Medu­somyces gi­se­vii. Be sure to wash the glass con­tain­er thor­ough­ly with a bak­ing soda so­lu­tion and rinse it with boil­ing wa­ter to pre­vent the for­ma­tion of the usu­al mold in­stead of SCO­BY.

How to use cab­bage to make pH in­di­ca­tor strips Red cab­bage con­tains pig­ments known as an­tho­cyanins. An­tho­cyanins can also be found in many fruits, veg­eta­bles, and berries, such as blue­ber­ries, red grapes, red onions, and so on. They change col­ors in ac­cor­dance with the acid­i­ty of their en­vi­ron­ment – a prop­er­ty that can help you de­ter­mine the pH of var­i­ous sub­stances around you! They turn red in acidic medi­ums such as vine­gar, pur­ple in weak­ly acidic and neu­tral medi­ums such as wa­ter, blue in weak­ly ba­sic medi­ums such as a so­lu­tion of bak­ing soda, and green, then yel­low in strong­ly ba­sic so­lu­tions such as drain clean­er.

How to test for vi­ta­min C at home

Many fruits and veg­eta­bles con­tain ascor­bic acid, also known as vi­ta­min C . It plays a key func­tion in bi­o­log­i­cal pro­cess­es in the body as a good re­duc­er and con­se­quent­ly a strong an­tiox­i­dant. It helps lim­it the im­pact of var­i­ous free rad­i­cals (ox­i­diz­ing agents that can cause mu­ta­tions and de­struc­tion in cells) on the or­gan­ism. Io­dine can be used to test veg­eta­bles and fruits for ascor­bic acid con­tent. Io­dine is an ox­i­diz­er, so when it re­acts with ascor­bic acid, it is re­duced to col­or­less io­dide ions.

How to ob­tain oxy­gen with the help of a plant

Here is an in­ter­est­ing and en­ter­tain­ing ex­per­i­ment that lies on the bor­der­line of two sci­ences – chem­istry and bi­ol­o­gy. You can eas­i­ly try it at home and amaze your friends and fam­i­ly. Pho­to­syn­the­sis is a com­plex chem­i­cal process in which light en­er­gy is trans­formed into chem­i­cal bond en­er­gy. More sim­ply, it is a process in which car­bon diox­ide and wa­ter are made into or­gan­ic sub­stances and oxy­gen un­der the in­flu­ence of light.

It is easy to prove the pres­ence of oxy­gen in the test tube. As oxy­gen is a gas that sup­ports com­bus­tion, all you have to do is low­er a smol­der­ing splint or match into the test tube, and it will im­me­di­ate­ly flare up.

Why do we need a so­lu­tion of bak­ing soda? As the car­bon diox­ide in the air dis­solves poor­ly in wa­ter, we can use car­bon­ates or bi­car­bon­ates, which by their na­ture are salts of car­bon­ic acid, to in­crease its con­cen­tra­tion.

Dozens of experiments you can do at home

One of the most exciting and ambitious home-chemistry educational projects The Royal Society of Chemistry

Transform Science Classes with Free Virtual Labs

Our top-notch, ad-free virtual lab simulations are designed to help you achieve just that. Engage your learners with interactive, hands-on experiments that make science education more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. 100% free, forever.

Balance the centrifuge by dragging and dropping the test tubes

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Virtual labs provide a safe space for exploration, promote learning from mistakes, and different levels allow for differentiation across grade levels.

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Gel Electrophoresis

In this virtual lab simulation, gel electrophoresis is used to separate dyes and see them in an agarose gel.

Transforming Bacteria

In this virtual lab simulation, users will practice transforming bacterial cells with a recombinant plasmid using the heat shock method.

Micropipetting Solutions

This virtual lab simulation allows the user to practice using a micropipette in a virtual laboratory environment.

“Using science lab simulations has made my students more confident in both scientific thinking skills and familiarity with science equipment and tools. I love how it allows them to interact with the lab materials, make mistakes, and see how their actions impact the outcome. The ability to have autonomy in the virtual lab and try different things while getting feedback gives them a deeper understanding of the concepts.”

- Mary Liu, Science Teacher, Weston High School

Basic Techniques in Biochemistry, Microbiology and Molecular Biology

Principles and Techniques

• © 2020
• Aakanchha Jain 0 ,
• Richa Jain 1 ,
• Sourabh Jain 2

Bhagyoday Tirth Pharmacy College, Sagar, India

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Centre for Scientific Research and Development, People’s University, Bhopal, India

Sagar institute of pharmaceutical sciences, sagar, india.

• Describes experimental protocols in a simplified manner
• Covers all relevant practical details for a given experiment
• Introduces various tools used in molecular biology

Part of the book series: Springer Protocols Handbooks (SPH)

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This book presents key methodologies, tools and databases for biochemistry, microbiology and molecular biology in simple and straightforward language. Covering all aspects related to experimental principles and procedures, the protocols included here are brief and clearly defined, and include essential precautions to be taken while conducting experiments. The book is divided into two major sections: one on constructing, working with, and standard operating procedures for laboratory instruments; and one on practical procedures used in molecular biology, microbiology and biochemical analysis experiments, which are described in full.

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In Vitro Versus In Vivo: Concepts and Consequences

Concepts in Metabolism

Schlüsseltechnologie der Lebenswissenschaften

• Microorganisms
• Extremophiles
• Oxidative fermentation
• Thermophiles
• Psychrophiles

Table of contents (62 protocols)

Front matter, instruments, bod (biochemical oxygen demand or biological oxygen demand) incubator.

• Aakanchha Jain, Richa Jain, Sourabh Jain

Laminar Air Flow/Biosafety Cabinets

Aseptic hood, hot air oven, deep freezer (−20 °c) (low-temperature cabinet), refrigerator, compound microscope, digital colony counter, digital turbidity meter, digital nephelometer, digital photocolorimeter, digital uv/visible spectrophotometer, polymerase chain reaction, elisa reader, molecular biology, enzyme assay: qualitative and quantitative, authors and affiliations.

Aakanchha Jain

Sourabh Jain

About the authors

Bibliographic information.

Book Title : Basic Techniques in Biochemistry, Microbiology and Molecular Biology

Book Subtitle : Principles and Techniques

Authors : Aakanchha Jain, Richa Jain, Sourabh Jain

Series Title : Springer Protocols Handbooks

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9861-6

Publisher : Humana New York, NY

eBook Packages : Springer Protocols

Copyright Information : Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020

Hardcover ISBN : 978-1-4939-9860-9 Published: 28 February 2020

Softcover ISBN : 978-1-4939-9863-0 Published: 04 August 2021

eBook ISBN : 978-1-4939-9861-6 Published: 27 February 2020

Series ISSN : 1949-2448

Series E-ISSN : 1949-2456

Edition Number : 1

Number of Pages : XIV, 282

Number of Illustrations : 11 b/w illustrations, 39 illustrations in colour

Topics : Biomedical Engineering/Biotechnology , Biological Techniques , Pharmaceutical Sciences/Technology

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BIOCHEMISTRY LITERACY FOR KIDS

Biochemistry Literacy for Kids

College learning at any level, homeschool-friendly.

1000+ families enrolled

Loved by schools

Used in grades 1-12

Unique curriculum

24+ amazing units

Biochemistry Literacy for Kids revolutionizes STEM learning by making college-level science accessible to K-12 students.

Developed by a Yale-educated chemistry professor, the curriculum creates a unique visual and tactile learning environment that makes high-level chemistry and biochemistry fun and rewarding for kids of any age.

Perfect for school or homeschool use, detailed video lessons, model building activities, and computer modeling allow any student to succeed at biochemistry. No previous science background is required!

For less than $5 a lesson, your homeschooler can get a unique college-level STEM experience. If your student is interested in the periodic table, medicine, or just wants to understand the living world, this program is for them.

The program is very effective, even for young elementary school students, but is also deployed in public and private middle and high schools.

Check out the documentary trailer about the first ever Biochemistry Literacy for Kids Summer Institute

LISTEN TO WHAT KIDS SAY ABOUT BIOCHEMISTRY LITERACY!

Chemical Model Building

Computer Molecular Modeling

Drawing Biomolecules

Medicinal Chemistry

Media and parents reviews.

Hear’s what a parent and teacher, Dr, Emily Brewer, says about Biochemistry Literacy! Read her article in Medium.

Kids instinctively want to know what things are made of, how living things work, and why things are the way they are. Chemistry and biochemistry provide answers to so many of life’s great questions, but unfortunately, these subjects are not emphasized in standard school curricula. 

Biochemistry Literacy for Kids fast tracks students to a sophisticated molecular-level understanding of the world around them, helping them see their surroundings in ways they never imagined.

The curriculum illuminates the stunning, three-dimensional world of molecular architectures and the network of biochemical reactions that constitute every living thing.

Through the lesson series, students gain an intuitive understanding of chemistry that will serve them well in high school and college courses. Since the curriculum makes learning advanced material easy, students build remarkable enthusiasm and confidence towards STEM learning.

SAMPLE LESSON VIDEO

Watch the complete narrated video for Lesson 1 of the Biochemistry Literacy for Kids curriculum.

24 learning units, from the periodic table to genetics

Live weekly zoom classes.

A fun way to enhance the program is to participate in live weekly group classes. Students build molecules together, ask questions, explore new molecular modeling software, and apply their knowledge. These impressive Zoom sessions operate like college classes for kids! 

Access the Biochemistry Literacy curriculum for $100 per year.

Access includes 24 narrated video lessons, perfect for home study. Lessons include presentations, molecular modeling files, and worksheets and answer keys—enough material for a year of study. Purchase access here.

Add a custom molecular model set by MolyMod.

Manufactured in England, these sets are the original and highest quality molecular model sets available. The custom kits can only be purchased on this website and are tailored to the Biochemistry Literacy program. To learn more about the sets, click here.

Join a live class.

While the program is designed for independent study with minimal parental oversight, there’s no substitute for interaction with a teacher and other students. Remote classes help students apply what they learn in the video lessons and provide the opportunity for their questions to be answered. See what classes are now forming here.

The Biochemistry Literacy curriculum was developed by Professor Daniel Fried over 10 years in public and private schools in the New York area. It is designed so that every student feels empowered to learn science. Check out these documentary videos to hear from parents, students, teachers, and administrators, and to see how the program works in classrooms. Currently the program is being deployed at in public and private schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

See the publications page for peer-edited research articles about our school programs, and check the news page to see what schools are using the curriculum.

Kids talk about Molecular Modeling

Kids talk about Moles

Kids talk about periodic table

Kids talk about flavor molecules

We have 20k+ students & they share success stories.

In July 2023, we had our first in-person camp with 50 students from 17 states, Canada, and Australia! What an amazing community! Keep posted for news on the 2024 camp. The camp is an opportunity for kids to apply what they’ve learned in the Zoom classes, work together in lab, and make lifelong friends. 

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FOR AUSTRALIAN PARENTS

I have partnered with two great groups in Australia, HEA and GATCA WA, which distribute curriculum access and molecular model sets. Please contact them for access to my program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have questions? Check out these Frequently Asked Questions, or CONTACT me to ask for more information.

Kids as young as 5 have successfully participated in this program, but most Biochemistry Literacy students are in late elementary school. The program contains high school and college-level material, but is made kid friendly so that elementary students, as well as older students, can engage in it.

See the LESSONS page to check the topics covered by the 25 units. The program orients students to covalent bonding, the periodic table, acid/base chemistry, hydrogen bonding, protein chemistry, ionic bonding, lipids, carbohydrates, DNA and RNA, and nuclear chemistry.

You get access to the 25 lesson pages which contain links to video narrations, usually 1-2 hours in length. Each lesson also contains worksheet files and molecular modeling files that are used as students view the videos.

The custom kit is similar to the Molymod MMS-008 kit, available on Amazon and elsewhere, but contains a unique complement of pieces. The main difference between my custom kit and standard kits is that the custom kit contains pieces used to simulate hydrogen bonding, which is very important in biochemistry. See this video for more information.

No. The custom kit is only available through this site. It can be purchased bundled with the curriculum access. I can also organize larger orders for schools or homeschool groups.

Yes, the molecular modeling software, PyMol, is free for educational use. Engaging in the curriculum does not require PyMol, but it is highly recommended to have PyMol installed on your computer. For directions about how to install PyMol, see this video .

The homeschool license is for one year.

Please contact me if you are a teacher and administrator for pricing. I can work with you to provide professional development and support during your deployment of the program.

At this time, I do not include wet chemistry experiments in the program, although you will find that the theory provided by my curriculum supports a clearer interpretation of many common kid-friendly chemistry experiments. Many of the modeling activities that are part of Biochemistry Literacy could be considered to be virtual laboratory experiments. 

Standard K-12 curriculum does not emphasize biochemistry, despite its centrality to understanding living systems. It is the one of the most important subjects for the practice of medicine and for the research of new medicines and cures. Biochemistry explains how life works on the molecular level, so anyone interested in biology should also be interested in biochemistry.

Alignment to government standards was not central to how I designed Biochemistry Literacy, although teachers who use the program do align the program to the standards required at their grade level and state. The program is extremely rich and multifaceted, so it is easy to justify its use at various grade levels.

Not usually. The majority of kids from 3rd grade up can learn from the video lessons independently. Very young students may require more support. While parents sometimes enjoy learning alongside their students, the intention is that kids learn on their own from the videos and activities.

The 1-hour live classes support the independent learning of the curriculum. Every week, students prepare for a certain lesson by watching the unit’s video and practicing the modeling and drawing skills. In the live Zoom class, students ask questions and apply the material. The discussions in the live classes are not simply a reiteration of the video lessons, but allow students to direct the conversation.

Check here for currently-available classes.

Dr. Fried currently teaches 3 classes per week, and Dr, Emily Brewer teaches one class per week.

The lesson presentations are intended to work hand in hand with the model building activities. Without the models, the students don’t benefit from the active learning aspects of the program, and the program will not be as engaging. While the model kits are mandatory, access to the PyMol molecular modeling software is less critical, especially in the early lessons. 

No grant money was harmed in the making of this curriculum! I created this program myself, on my own time, without institutional funding. Families and schools that subscribe to the program are the only financial support for this endeavor. I’m very grateful to each and every one of them! 

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• Dr. Elizabeth Vogel Taylor

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• Biochemistry

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Biochemistry laboratory, course description.

The course, which spans two thirds of a semester, provides students with a research-inspired laboratory experience that introduces standard biochemical techniques in the context of investigating a current and exciting research topic, acquired resistance to the cancer drug Gleevec. Techniques include protein expression, …

The course, which spans two thirds of a semester, provides students with a research-inspired laboratory experience that introduces standard biochemical techniques in the context of investigating a current and exciting research topic, acquired resistance to the cancer drug Gleevec. Techniques include protein expression, purification, and gel analysis, PCR, site-directed mutagenesis, kinase activity assays, and protein structure viewing.

This class is part of the new laboratory curriculum in the MIT Department of Chemistry. Undergraduate Research-Inspired Experimental Chemistry Alternatives ( URIECA ) introduces students to cutting edge research topics in a modular format.

Acknowledgments

Development of this course was funded through an HHMI Professors grant to Professor Catherine L. Drennan.

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