EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE

Gov. D. Mangubat Ave., Brgy. Burol Main, City of Dasmariñas, Cavite 4114, Philippines
Tel. Nos. (046) 416-4341-42 www.eac.edu.ph

School of Optometry

COMPILATION OF LABORATORY ACTIVITIES

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
QDOP 1-1

Prepared by:

PROF. EDMERSON B. GERONIMO

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QF-ACD-008 (01.23.2020) Rev.2

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Gov. D. Mangubat Ave., Brgy. Burol Main, City of Dasmariñas, Cavite 4114, Philippines
Tel. Nos. (046) 416-4341-42 www.eac.edu.ph

School of Optometry

TABLE OF CONTENTS
WEEK
ACTIVITY NO. TITLE
NO.
PATHWAY TO THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
P1B LABORATORY ACTIVITY #1 *COMPETITION: LEARN TO IDENTIFY AND QUANTIFY COMPETITION BETWEEN
SPECIES
P2B LABORATORY ACTIVITY #2 THE COMPOUND MICROSCOPE
P3A LABORATORY ACTIVITY #3A MENDELIAN INHERITANCE: FROM GENES TO TRAITS
P3B LABORATORY ACTIVITY #3B PROTEIN SYNTHESIS
P4A LABORATORY ACTIVITY #3C INHERITANCE WITH PEDIGREE TREES AND PUNNET SQUARES
P5A LABORATORY ACTIVITY #4 CELL STRUCTURE: CELL THEORY AND INTERNAL ORGANELES
CELL MEMBRANE and TRANSPORT: TYPES OF TRANSPORTER PROTEINS
*CELL MEMBRANE AND TRANSPORT: MODIFYING THE CELL MEMBRANE
P5B LABORATORY ACTIVITY #5A
*CELL MEMBRANE AND TRANSPORT: LEARN HOW TRANSPORTERS KEEP THE CELLS
HEALTHY
P5B LABORATORY ACTIVITY #5B OSMOSIS: CHOOSE THE RIGHT SOLUTION FOR AN INTRAVENOUS DRUG
P6A LABORATORY ACTIVITY #6A CELLULAR RESPIRATION: GLYCOLYSIS
P6A LABORATORY ACTIVITY #6B CELLULAR RESPIRATION: THE KREBS CYCLE
CELLULAR RESPIRATION: THE ELECTRON TRANSPORT CHAIN
P6B LABORATORY ACTIVITY #6C
*CELLULAR RESPIRATION: MEASURING ENERGY CONSUMPTION DURING EXERCISE
M1A LABORATORY ACTIVITY #7A CELL DIVISION (PRINCIPLES): MITOSIS AND MEIOSIS
MEIOSIS: UNDERSTAND HOW TRAITS ARE INHERITED
M1B LABORATORY ACTIVITY #7B
*MEIOSIS: HOW IS COLOR-BLINDNESS INHERITED?
M2A LABORATORY ACTIVITY #8 HEMATOLOGY: INTRODUCTION TO BLOOD
M2B LABORATORY ACTIVITY #9 MUSCLE TISSUES: AN OVERVIEW
M2B LABORATORY ACTIVITY #10 SKELETAL MUSCLE: LEARN ABOUT THE MUSCLES WE USE TO WALK AND RUN
M3A LABORATORY ACTIVITY #11 SMOOTH MUSCLE: LEARN HOW YOUR GUT CONTRACTS
M3B LABORATORY ACTIVITY #12 ACTION POTENTIAL LAB: EXPERIMENT WITH SQUID NEURON
M4A LABORATORY ACTIVITY #13 SENSORY TRANSDUCTION: LEARN WHY YOU FEEL PAIN WHEN YOU GET HIT
M4B LABORATORY ACTIVITY #14 HOMEOSTATIC CONTROL: HOW DOES THE HUMAN BODY KEEP ITSELF IN BALANCE
M5A LABORATORY ACTIVITY #15 INTRODUCTION TO IMMUNOLOGY: EXPLORE THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
M5B LABORATORY ACTIVITY #16 ANTIBODIES: WHY ARE SOME BLODD TYPES INCOMPATIBLE?
M6A LABORATORY ACTIVITY #17 CARDIOVASCULAR FUNCTION
M6B LABORATORY ACTIVITY #18 RENAL PHYSIOLOGY: FIND THE MODE OF ACTION OF A DIURETIC DRUG
F1A LABORATORY ACTIVITY #19 EXPLORING HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE CELLS
F1B LABORATORY ACTIVITY #20 EVOLUTION: TAXONOMIC TREE OF LIFE
F2A LABORATORY ACTIVITY #21 BIOMES: IDENTIFY AND CREATE THE MAIN BIOMES ON EARTH
F2B LABORATORY ACTIVITY #22 ECOLOGICAL NICHES: CHOOSE THE RIGHT KUPPELFANG TO BRING ON EARTH
F3A LABORATORY ACTIVITY #23 FOOD WEBS: LEARN ABOUT INTERACTIONS BETWEEN TROPHIC LEVELS
F3B LABORATORY ACTIVITY #24 TROPHIC LEVELS: GRAZER VS. PREDATOR
Legend: P – Prelims, M – Midterms, F- Finals; A – Session 1, B – Session 2; *Optional

LABORATORY ACTIVITY #1: PATHWAY TO THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

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Gov. D. Mangubat Ave., Brgy. Burol Main, City of Dasmariñas, Cavite 4114, Philippines
Tel. Nos. (046) 416-4341-42 www.eac.edu.ph

School of Optometry

Introduction: Science is a systematized body of knowledge that attempts to provide explanations to

phenomena in the natural world. The Scientific Method provides the structure for this process and is
the bedrock of science.

Objectives: At the end of this exercise, the students should be able to:

1. List down the different steps in the scientific method

2. Explain the significance of each step in explaining natural phenomena

3. Apply scientific method in explaining the effects of interspecific competition in population growth
of two species of Paramecium

Methods:

1. To equip yourself with the knowledge and skills on the scientific methods, you are advised to visit
this website: https://www.labxchange.org/library/pathway/lx-pathway:1a565565-7b32-4d37-ba39-
a023770fa23b/items/lx-pb:1a565565-7b32-4d37-ba39-a023770fa23b:html:e185be61

2. To track your progress and ensure your compliance, take a screenshot of the accomplished
assessments in Steps 5 to 7. Paste the screenshots in your lab report.

3. Perform the analysis outlined in this document: Virtual Population Lab.pdf

Results:

1. Recreate the data table in your lab report. Populate the table with the data provided in the
document.

2. Construct graphs (as presented in the document) to reflect the effects of competition in the
growth of the population.

Questions:

1. On Scientific Method Pathway by LabXchange

A. What are the steps in the scientific methods?

B. What are the significance of each method?

C. What should be considered in designing an experiment?

D. What is the importance of including controls (both negative and positive) in the experiment?

E. What scientific attitudes should be demonstrated while conducting experiments?

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Tel. Nos. (046) 416-4341-42 www.eac.edu.ph

School of Optometry

2. On Virtual Population Lab

A. What are the objectives for this experiment? (you can summarize)

B. Make a hypothesis about how you think the two species of Paramecium will grow alone and how
they will grow when they are grown together.

C. Explain how you tested your hypothesis.

D. On what day did the Paramecium caudatum population reach the carrying capacity of the
environment when it was grown alone? How do you know?

5. On what day did the Paramecium aurelia population reach the carrying capacity of the
environment? How do you know?

6. Explain the differences in the population growth patterns of the two Paramecium species. What
does this tell you about how Paramecium aurelia uses available resources?

7. Describe what happened when the Paramecium populations were mixed in the same test tube.
Do the results support the principle of competitive exclusion? (you may need to briefly explain what
competitive exclusion is)

8. Explain how this experiment demonstrates that no two species can occupy the same niche.

LABORATORY ACTIVITY #2: THE COMPOUND MICROSCOPE

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 EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE
Gov. D. Mangubat Ave., Brgy. Burol Main, City of Dasmariñas, Cavite 4114, Philippines
Tel. Nos. (046) 416-4341-42 www.eac.edu.ph

School of Optometry

Introduction: The microscope is one of the principal tools of the biologist. It was invented through
the efforts of Dutch scientist Anton Van Leeuwenhoek. In the laboratory, the microscope serves as a
very useful tool to help you discover the fascinating secrets of the living world which the unaided
eye cannot see. In this exercise, you will study the proper use and care of this delicate instrument.

Objectives: At the end of this experiment, the students should be able to:
1. Identify the parts of a compound microscope and learn the function of each part;
2. Manipulate the different parts correctly;
3. Compute for the magnification of the apparent image; and
4. Differentiate the low power objective from the high power objective in relation to the size of
the field of vision, magnification, and resolving power.

Methods:
1. For this part, click the URL https://www.ncbionetwork.org/educational-
resources/elearning/interactive-elearning-tools/virtual-microscope). Once you are in the
URL, click the “Launch Activity” to proceed. Go through the “Guide” and “Learn” buttons
and see the following parts of the microscope.

Ocular or eyepiece. It is where you look into when examining objects in the microscope.
Inserted into the draw tube, it contains lenses to increase magnification.
Draw tube. A cylindrical part where the eyepiece is inserted.
Body tube. The barrel which holds the lenses of the eyepiece and objectives at a proper
distance from each other.
Coarse adjustment knob. A large wheel which moves the body tube up or down to bring the
specimen into focus. It is used when the low power objective is in place.
Fine adjustment knob. A smaller wheel which brings the specimen to its sharpest focus by
moving the body tube up or down very slightly.
Dust shield. A rounded metal directly attached to the end of the body tube which protects
the objectives from dust.
Revolving nosepiece. The bottom end of the body tube where the objectives are attached. It
rotates to allow changing from one objective to another.
Objectives. Small tubes attached to the nosepiece which contain lenses of different
magnifications. The objective marked 10x is the low power objective (LPO). Sometimes, a
much shorter objective marked 4x or 5x may be present; this is known as the scanning
objective. The high power objective (HPO) is the one marked 40x (44x or 45x in some
models). More advance microscope models also have the oil immersion objective (100x).

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Gov. D. Mangubat Ave., Brgy. Burol Main, City of Dasmariñas, Cavite 4114, Philippines
Tel. Nos. (046) 416-4341-42 www.eac.edu.ph

School of Optometry

Figure 1. Objective lenses of a compound microscope.

Source:https://www.amscope.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/458x458/9df78eab33525d
08d6e5fb8d27136e95/m/i/microscope-objective-lens-ax-b.jpg

Stage. The flat area where the slide to be examined is placed.

Stage aperture. The hole or opening at the center of the stage. It admits light from the
mirror.
Stage clips. Two pieces of metal which holds the slide in place.
Arm. Supports the body tube and is used for carrying the microscope.
Mirror. Directs reflected light through the stage aperture to light the specimen in the slide. It
usually has a concave and flat surface. The concave surface is used especially when the
microscope does not have a condenser. (The condenser is a series of lenses below the stage
that helps focus light on the specimen). If a condenser is present, the flat-surfaced mirror
may be used. In some microscopes, a lamp provides the light source instead of the mirror.
Pillar. The upright bar which provides support and connects the base with the other part of
the microscope,
Diaphragm. Regulates the amount of light passing through the specimen. The diaphragm
may be in the form of a rotating disk with holes of various sizes, or it may have an adjustable
iris opening. In the latter case, it is known as an iris diaphragm.
Inclination joint. Allows the microscope to be inclined at an angle.
Base. The horseshoe-shaped bottom part of the microscope which supports the whole
structure.

   Other important features of the microscope objectives. 

Focal length (mm) is an optical constant of the lens system, is the distance from the center
of the lens to the point where parallel rays entering the lens are brought to a focus.

Numerical aperture (N.A.) is a measure of the resolving power of an objective. An objective

with 0.25 N.A. allows the viewer to distinguish as separate 25000 lines per inch.

Working distance (mm) is the free space between the specimen surface and the objective.

2. Answer questions #1 and #2 in your lab report. Check other references to complete Table 1
in the worksheet. 

B. Microscope Manipulation
1. After familiarizing yourself with the parts of the microscope and the function(s) of each, click
this URL for the proper use and care of the microscope:
https://www.ncbionetwork.org/educational-resources/videos/use-and-care-microscope.
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Note which objective to start with in magnification and what to do when switching to OIO.
2. After watching the video, go back to the previous URL on virtual microscope and click the
“Launch Activity” followed by the “Explore” button.
3. Inside, hover towards the slide box, click the “?”. You will see several slides, click the
“sample slide”, then the “Letter E” sample specimen. By clicking the slide for “Letter E”, it is
now ready for viewing.
4. Start with 4X, adjust the “coarse focus”, “fine focus” and “light adjust”. Then, explore the
other objectives. Answer question #3 in your worksheet.
5. Try again with 4X but this time do not adjust the “coarse focus”. Shift to LPO, then HPO
without adjusting the “coarse focus”. Was the image clear? Compare this to the previous
step where you made clarity adjustment before going to the higher objective. What you just
observed is the parfocal property of the microscope. Answer question #4.

C. Orientation
1. While looking into the ocular, move the slide slightly to your right, then your left. Then, move
it upward and downward. Does the image of the letter “e” appear to move in the same
direction as your movement? Answer question #5.

D. Field of Vision

The field of vision is that circular lighted field where you see the image of the object or
specimen.
1. With the letter “e” at the center of the field of view under scanner, shift to LPO. Sharpen
the image by adjusting the coarse focus and light.
2. Answer question #6 in the worksheet.

E. Magnification and Reduction

1. Magnification of the objectives has been described in the virtual lab. The total
magnification (Mtotal) or the image you see in the microscope can be obtained by the
formula below. Answer question #7.
Mtotal = Mocular X Mobjective
Where M = magnification.
2. Another way of finding total magnification (Mtotal) is using the formula below. Watch
Video 3.1 in your Module 2 Lab Guide. Answer question #8.

Magnification or reduction =

F. Microscopic Observation of Prepared Slides

1. In the virtual microscope, find the “Explore” button, then the slide box “?” and then click
the “-slides”. Answer question #9.

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Tel. Nos. (046) 416-4341-42 www.eac.edu.ph

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G. Calibration of Ocular Micrometer

Fig 2. Ocular Micrometer Fig 3. Stage Micrometer

Microscopic objects can be measured by means of an ocular (Figure 2.) or a Filar micrometer.
It is a glass disc with mounted scale but no unit of measurement. It is inserted into the eyepiece and
must be calibrated for each objective, eyepiece, and tube length of the particular microscope unit
before measurements are made.

A stage micrometer (Figure 3) is used for calibrating ocular or filar micrometer. It is a glass
slide with graduations of known intervals. The length of the smallest division is 0.01 mm or 10 µm
and is a formula constant. There are 100 divisions in a stage, which gives it a total length of 1000
µm. The unit of linear measurement in microbiology is the micrometer (µm), which is equivalent to
1/1000 mm or 1/25400 inch.

See a summarize procedure for calibration below and watch the video tutorial Video # 3.2 in
BrightSpace.

1. A compound microscope with ocular micrometer is usually provided in the lab.

2. Place the stage micrometer on the stage and put to focus initially under scanner.
3. The eyepiece can be rotated to align the lines to the stage. Likewise, the stage
micrometer can be moved so that lines coincide perfectly with the lines on the ocular
scale. In general, we are measuring the total length of the ocular micrometer using our
ruler, the stage micrometer and then diving the total measurement to the number of
lines in the ocular to get the measure per ocular division. See Figure 6 for the proper way
of alignment.
4. Count the number of divisions on the ocular micrometer subtended (covered end to end)
by the number of divisions on the stage micrometer. It is important that the
lines coincide properly.

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5. Use the formula below to determine the value of one ocular micrometer division.

stage micrometer value of one stage

Calibration factor divisions subtended by X micrometer division (µm)
(Value of one ocular = ocular micrometer
micrometer division)
ocular micrometer divisions subtended by stage micrometer

6. Answer #10 Table 3 using the data from the video. Compute also for the calibration
factor in Table 4 with the given data obtained from our own laboratory.

References:
Duka. I. A. and M. G. Diaz. 2007. Biology 1 Laboratory Manual: An Investigative Approach.
th
8  ed. UPLB. pp. 6 – 13.

Fernandez, W.L. et al. 1986. General Microbiology Laboratory Manual. UPLB. pp. 1 – 15.

LABORATORY ACTIVITY #2: THE COMPOUND MICROSCOPE

1. Complete Table 1 below by supplying the characteristics of each objective.

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LPO HPO OIO

Focal length (mm)

Working distance (mm)

Linear magnification (X)

Numerical aperture (N.A.)

Features (color of the band,

diameter of the opening of the
lens, etc.)

Fig. 2. Cutout of Letter “e” Fig. 3. Letter “e” under LPO (mag. ____x)

2. Compare the size and position of the letter "e" as viewed under the LPO with the actual position
of the letter "e" on the slide.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

3. Orientation. While looking into the ocular, move the slide slightly to your right. Next move it to
your left. Then upward and downward.
a. In which direction does the image of the letter “e” appear to move in each case?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Move the slide towards you and then away from you.
b. In what direction does the image appear to move in each case?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

4. Field of Vision
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Fig. 4. Letter “e” under HPO (mag. ____x)

a.  Is there a change in the level of brightness of the field of view when the objective is shifted from
LPO to HPO? Describe the change.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

b. What portion of the letter “e” is magnified under HPO?

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

c. Is there an increase or a decrease in the area of specimen seen?

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

d. Is the orientation of the letter “e” changed by shifting from LPO to HPO?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

e. If the tail end of the letter “e” is to be viewed under HPO, where should it (tail end) be positioned
under LPO before shifting into the HPO?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

f. To ensure easier focusing, what should be done first before the HPO is swung into position?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

g. Complete Table 2. You may use other references. Do not forget to cite your sources.
Table 2.  Field of Vision Using Different Objectives.
4x 10x 40x
Magnifying power of objective 100x

Area of field of vision in mm.

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F. Microscopic Observation of Prepared Slides

Fig 4. Plant cell (_____ X) Fig 5. Plant cell (_____ X)

Fig 6. Onion root (_____ X) Fig 7. Onion root (_____ X)

Fig 8. Blood (_____ X) Fig 9. Blood (_____ X)

Fig 10. Adipose (_____ X) Fig 11. Adipose (_____ X)

Fig 12. Bone (_____ X) Fig 13. Bone (_____ X)

Fig 14. Bacteria Gram-stained Mix (_____ X)

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G. Record the number of divisions and value of the ocular and stage micrometers. Compute the
calibration factor for the specified objectives.
Table 3. Number of divisions and value of the ocular and stage micrometers.
stage ocular
Calibration factor
micrometer micrometer value of one
(Value of one
divisions divisions stage
Objectives ocular
subtended by subtended by micrometer
micrometer
ocular stage division (µm)
division)
micrometer micrometer
4x
10 x
Note: eyepiece has a magnifying power of 10x

Conclusion
_

References
_

____________

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Manuals for LABORATORY ACTIVITIES #3 TO #22 will be uploaded in BrightSpace. The link to the
virtual simulations will also be provided to the students as soon as possible.

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