http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ A search of MERLOT learning exercises Copyright 1997-2013 MERLOT. All rights reserved. Fri, 24 May 2013 02:21:43 PDT Fri, 24 May 2013 02:21:43 PDT http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/images/merlot.gif http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ 44 34 http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewAssignment.htm?id=407896 This activity allows students to use bioinformatics tools to identify mutations found in hemophilia and cystic fibrosis. In the process key concepts about transcription and translation are also reinforced. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewAssignment.htm?id=407895 A one page activity that takes students to several websites related to the obesity epidemic. First they can calculate BMI, then learn about national trends in the rate of obesity and finally use a tutorial on insulin and diabetes. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewAssignment.htm?id=407888 This is an out of class exercise that allows students to explore biological molecules that contain heme like molecules with metals bound in them. The properties of these molecules give them different colors and functions, but all are related evolutionarily. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewAssignment.htm?id=407885 In an introductory biology course, a lecture is often devoted to describing the functions of each organelle. While this information is important, it can be fairly dry and presented more as a laundry list. The purpose of this activity is to get students to engage the material out of class for a fir http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewAssignment.htm?id=407878 This module focuses on the generation of a standard curve based on the activity of an enzyme. A plasma cholesterol assay is used as an example. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewAssignment.htm?id=407877 This module focuses on the generation of a standard curve based on the sizes of protein or nucleic acids separated on a gel. Students learn how to use a spreadsheet to generate the standard curve. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewAssignment.htm?id=407870 This module explores half life and how the declining amount of a parent radioactive isotope can be expressed by an exponential-decay function. Student use spreadsheets to generate decay curves and calculate half life. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewAssignment.htm?id=407869 This module introduces the math behind PCR reactions and precedes a second module on quantitative PCR. The PCR reaction is best described as an exponential growth function. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewAssignment.htm?id=407868 This module introduces the math behind quantitative PCR reactions and follows a module on PCR. The PCR reaction is best described as an exponential growth function. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewAssignment.htm?id=407867 This is designed as an in-class activity in which students are asked to predict which biomes would be present at a different location based on the temperature and precipitation.