Bio 3625
Techniques in Physiology and Biochemistry
In this course, we will explore aspects of both plant and animal physiology and biochemistry. Using a well-defined barley chlorophyll b-less mutant, we will explore the functional analysis of a specific protein and the consequence of its mis-expression in adaptation to stress. Using migratory and non-migratory moths we will examine the phenotypic plasticity of physiology in response to different environmental conditions.
We hope that as you complete the requirements of this course, you will not only learn some new techniques but also gain an appreciation for the beauty and complexity of biological systems as well as the integrated nature in which they function. However, it is important to recognize that even though there are specific laboratory exercises outlined in this manual, it is not our intention to merely have you follow through a set of “canned” labs with known outcomes. Instead we hope to teach you something about a number of techniques (e.g., liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, enzyme assays) in the context of examining the systems outlined above.
