Biological Techniques

UNIVERSITY OF SARGODHA

DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY

 

 

COURSE OUTLINE                                                                                                    FALL 2020-21

 

Course Title: BIOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES                                                                                   

Course Code: ZOL-602

Credit Hours: 3 (2+1)

Instructor: Miss. Fiza Malik

Email: [email protected]

 

DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES

The course aims to:

  1. Develop scientific-technical expertise, culture and work habits.
  2. Familiarize with the basic tools and techniques of scientific study with emphasis on biological sciences
  3. Develop basic understanding of the equipment’s usage

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a general understanding of the standard laboratory tools, methodology, and process of biological research, and the basics of scientific writing.
  2. Design and conduct independent laboratory or field research that is consistent with the highest standards and practices of research in the relevant biological sub-discipline.

 

CONTENTS

 

  1. Microscopy: Principles of light microscopy. Magnification, Resolution, Contrast. Types of microscopy, Bright field (Compound Microscope), Scanning microscopy, Eyepiece micrometers, Camera Lucida Phase Contrast Darkfield Interference microscope, Electron microscope (Observation of wet mounts of human cheek cells employing bright and dark field microscopy ).
  2. Micrometery and Morphometry: Use of stage and ocular micrometer. Calibration of ocular micrometer. Size measurement (length, width, diameter), (Measurement of cell size: bacterial and eukaryotic ).
  3. Standard system for weight, length, volume: Calculations and related conversions of each:- Metric system- length; surface; weight- Square measures- Cubic measures (volumetric)- Circular or angular measure - Concentrations- percent volume; ppt; ppm - Chemical molarity, normality Temperature- Celsius, Centigrade, Fahrenheit. Preparation of stock solutions of various strengths
  4. Specimen preparation for optical microscopy: Microtomy: Fixation, embedding, Section cutting (transverse, longitudinal section, mounting and staining. Sections in paraffin and cryosections.
  5. Extraction techniques: Centrifugation, Ultracentrifugation, cell fractionation, filtration, Distillation, Use of Soxhlet, and Rotary evaporator for extraction.
  6. Separation Techniques: Chromatography: Principle, applications, types, thin layer, column, gas, ion-exchange chromatography. Electrophoresis: Principle, applications, types.
  7. Spectrophotometry: Principle, applications, types, visible spectrum, UV spectrum, atomic absorption.
  8. Basic principles of Sampling and Preservation: Sampling soil organisms, Invertebrates, Aquatic animals, Mammals, Estimation of population size, Preservation of dry and wet specimens. Preservation techniques – Taxidermy - Rearing techniques, Laboratory and field.

 

READINGS

 

  1. Dean, J. R. 1999. Extraction Methods for Environmental Analysis. John Wiley and Sons Ltd. UK.
  2. Cheesbrough, M. 1998. District Laboratory Practice in Tropical Countries. Part I. Cambridge University Press, UK.
  3. Cheesbrough, M. 1998. District Laboratory Practice in Tropical Countries. Part II. Cambridge University Press, UK.
  1. Curos, M. 1997.Environmental Sampling and Analysis: Lab Manual. CRC Press LLC. USA.
  2. Curos, M. 1997.Environmental Sampling and Analysis: For Technician. CRC Press LLC. USA.
  3. Slings by, D., Cock, C.1986. Practical Ecology. McMillan Education Ltd. London.
  4. De Robertis, E. D. P., De Robertis Jr. E. N. F. 1987. Cell and Molecular Biology, Lea & Febiger, New York.

 

COURSE SCHEDULE

Week 

Topics

Books with page no.

 1

Microscopy: Principles of light microscopy. Magnification, Resolution, Contrast. Types of microscopy, Bright field (Compound Microscope), Scanning microscopy, Eyepiece micrometers.

Cheesbrough, part I. pp. 109-126

 2

Camera Lucida Phase Contrast Darkfield Interference microscope, Electron microscope (Observation of wet mounts of human cheek cells employing bright and dark field microscopy ).

Internet source

 3

Specimen preparation for optical microscopy: Microtomy: Fixation, embedding.

De Robertis: pp 84-89.

 4

Section cutting (transverse, longitudinal section, mounting and staining. Sections in paraffin and cryosections.

De Robertis: pp 84-89.

 5

Micrometer and Morphometry: Use of stage and ocular micrometer. Calibration of ocular micrometer. Size measurement (length, width, diameter), (Measurement of cell size: bacterial and eukaryotic ).

Cheesbrough, part I. pp. 133-134

 6

Extraction techniques: Centrifugation, Ultracentrifugation, cell fractionation, filtration, Distillation, Use of Soxhlet, and Rotary evaporator for extraction.

Cheesbrough, part I. pp 139-143, 147-152,

Curos: pp. 82-100.

 7

Separation Techniques: Chromatography: Principle, applications, types, thin layer, column, gas, ion-exchange chromatography.

Internet source

 8

Standard system for weight, length, volume: Calculations and related conversions of each:- Metric system- length; surface; weight- Square measures.

Cheesbrough, part I. pp. 45-50

 10

Cubic measures (volumetric)- Circular or angular measure - Concentrations- percent volume; ppt; ppm - Chemical molarity, normality

Cheesbrough, part I. pp. 49-53

Curos: pp. 345-348

 11

Temperature- Celsius, Centigrade, Fahrenheit. Preparation of stock solutions of various strengths.

Cheesbrough, part I. pp. 49-53

 12

Electrophoresis: Principle, applications, types.

Internet source

13

Spectrophotometry: Principle, applications, types.

Curos, pp. 140-150

 14

The visible spectrum, UV spectrum, atomic absorption.

Curos, pp. 140-150

 15

Basic principles of Sampling and Preservation: Sampling soil organisms, Invertebrates, Aquatic animals, Mammals, Estimation of population size, Preservation of dry and wet specimens.

Curos, pp. 23-30 and

Internet source

 16

Preservation techniques – Taxidermy - Rearing techniques, Laboratory and field.

Internet source
 

           

RESEARCH PROJECT/PRACTICAL/LABS/ASSIGNMENTS

  1. Recording of microscopic observations with the help of camera lucida
  1. Liquid handling: proper use of pipettes and micropipettes
  2. Histological preparations: skeletal muscle, intestine liver, and testes
  3. Handling of centrifuge machines
  4. Thin-layer chromatography of amino acids
  5. Spectrophotometric estimation of glucose
  6. Spectrophotometric estimation of total proteins
  7. Preservation of representative animals of various phyla
  8. Electrophoretic separation of proteins
  9. Electrophoretic separation of DNA

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

  • Sessional: 15%
  • Presentation: 10%
  • Participation:  5%
  • Practical: 25%
  • Final exam: 38%
  • Midterm exam: 22 %

 

 

 

 

 [MH1]

Here week number is given

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