Labs

The lab schedule corresponds to lab exercises in the Biology II Laboratory ManualΒ  Creative Commons LicenseΒ  available here. Students should read the scheduled lab exercises before coming to class.

For each lab session:

  • the learning outcomes/review sheets can be obtained by clicking on the lab title in the table below.
  • a link to the individual laboratory exercise PDF is available
Week 1

Lab I – PDF

How to use a dichotomous key (video)

How to use a dichotomous key (image)

Table of Contents

Systematics, Taxonomy & Phylogeny

  • List the taxonomic levels from the broadest to the most specific.
  • Explain the degree of similarity and difference between organisms classified in a taxonomic table.
  • Identify animals and plants through the use of a dichotomous key.
Week 2

Lab II – PDF

Prokaryote Concept Map

Virtual Lab

Introduction to Microbiology: Prokaryotes and Protists

  • Describe the distinguishing features of members of the Domain Bacteria.
  • Describe differences between bacteria and cyanobacteria.
  • Discuss the distinctive features of each group of algae and protozoans.
  • List examples, habitats, reproductive methods, and unique features of representative members of the Kingdom Protista.
Week 3

Lab III – PDF

Virtual Lab

Quiz 1 (Systematics, Taxonomy & Phylogeny, Prokaryotes and Protists)

Kingdom Fungi

  • Describe the characteristic features of Kingdom Fungi.
  • Explain the division names: Chytridiomycota, Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and AM Fungi.
  • Discuss variations in structure and the sequence of events for sexual reproduction for the major divisions of the Kingdom Fungi.
  • Understand the importance of fungi for ecosystems and in human life.
Week 4

Lab IV – PDF

Kingdom Plantae I – Bryophytes, Ferns

  • Describe the process of alternation of generations.
  • Explain the criteria for plants classification: conducting tissue, seeds and flowers and distinctive evolutionary features
  • Discuss similarities and differences between ferns and bryophytes.
  • Describe the life cycles of ferns and their allies.
Week 5

Lab V – PDF

Virtual Lab

Virtual Field Trip

Midterm Review Part 1
Midterm Practice I

Kingdom Plantae II – Gymnosperms & Angiosperms

  • Describe the life cycle of a pine tree (gymnosperm)
  • Describe the life cycle of flowering plants (angiosperms)
  • List and give the functions of the principal parts of a flower.
  • Describe the structure and function of roots, stems, and leaves.
  • Observe and explain characteristics of fresh monocots and eudicots sprouts
Week 6

Lab VI – PDF

Ctenophora and Cnidaria

Planaria Feeding

Quiz 2 (Fungi & Plants)

Kingdom Animalia I – Lower Invertebrates

  • Explain and discuss animal classification (levels of organization, body symmetry, coelom, protostomes, deuterostomes)
  • Describe the distinguishing features of members of the phylum Porifera and the phylum Cnidaria. Describe the body forms of cnidarians. Compare the feeding methods of sponges and jellyfish. Observe the feeding behavior of live hydra capturing live water fleas (daphnia; crustaceans).
  • Describe the general morphology of flatworms (phylum Platyhelminthes). Observe the morphology and behavior of live Planaria
Week 7

Lab VII – PDF

Live Rotifers

Earthworm Dissection

Annelids (Shape of Life)

Clam Dissection

Molluscs (Shape of Life)

Kingdom Animalia II – Lower Invertebrates (continued)

  • Describe the general morphology, major classes and advanced characteristics of roundworms (phylum Nematoda) and rotifers (phylum Rotifera). Observe the behavior of live rotifers.
  • Describe the general morphology of organisms of phylum Annelida and phylum Mollusca. Dissect preserved earthworms and bivalves (clams)
Week 8

Lab VIII – PDF

Grasshopper Observation

Terrestrial and Marine Arthropods (Shape of Life)

Sea Star Dissection

Echinoderms (Shape of Life)

Frog Dissection

Chordates (Shape of Life)

Midterm Review Part 2
Midterm Practice IIa
Midterm Practice IIb

Kingdom Animalia III – Arthropods and Chordates

  • Describe the general morphology, characteristics and major classes of phylum Arthropoda. Describe modifications of the exoskeleton and paired appendages of arthropods. Observe preserved insect specimens (grasshoppers)
  • Describe the morphology, characteristics of the phylum Echinodermata. Dissect preserved sea stars (if available).
  • Describe the morphology, characteristics of the phylum Chordata. Dissect preserved frogs
Week 9

Lab IX – PDF

Virtual Lab

A Quick Tour of Tissues

Uniform Midterm Practical + Quiz 3 (Animals)

Vertebrate Organization – Tissues and Organs

  • Describe the general properties of tissues versus single cells
  • Describe the characteristics of epithelial, connective, muscular and nervous tissues
  • Describe the organization of the skin as an organ made of several tissues working together
Week 10

Labs X & XI – PDF

Fetal Pig Dissection

Vertebrate Anatomy I – Real & Virtual Fetal Pig Dissection Β 

  • Understand the classification of the pig as a mammal; name the unique mammalian characteristics represented by the fetal pig.
  • Define all the anatomical terminology, planes and structures
  • Dissect and identify the components of the digestive and respiratory systems
Week 11

Vertebrate Anatomy II – Real & Virtual Fetal Pig Dissection

  • Identify, observe and dissect and the heart and pericardium; identify major blood vessels.
  • Define, identify, and describe components of the female and male urogenital system of the fetal pig.
Week 12

Lab XII – PDF

Urinalysis

Urinalysis Results

Quiz 4 (Vertebrate Anatomy: Tissues, Organs and Organ Systems)

Vertebrate Anatomy III – Organs of Homeostasis – Urinalysis

  • Define homeostasis and why it is an important characteristic of every life form
  • Describe the structure and function of the human lungs, liver and kidneys and their role in the maintenance of homeostasis
  • Describe the process of urine formation in the human kidney
  • Explain and discuss negative and positive feedback mechanisms.
  • Test urine samples, discuss and explain results
Week 13

Lab XIII – PDF

Sheep Brain Dissection Video

Sheep Brain Practice

The Nervous System – Sheep Brain Dissection

  • Define and describe the components of the central and peripheral nervous systems
  • Identify the components and basic function of the sheep brain and their human counterparts on the models available
  • Describe the structure of the spinal cord and the mechanism underlying reflexes
Week 14

Lab XIV – PDF

Quiz 5 (Physiology: Homeostasis, Organ Functions and Nervous System)

Reproduction & Development

  • Asexual and Sexual Reproduction in Animals
  • Human male and female reproductive systems and cycles
  • Describe the main steps in the embryological development of vertebrates
  • Identify the various stages in the developmental models provided

Review for Final Practicum

Week 15

Uniform Final: Fetal Pig/Brain Practicum