ERIC Number: EJ1273155
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9266
EISSN: N/A
Tried and True but Something New: Analyzing the Enzymatic Activity of Catalase
Latourelle, Sandra M.; Elwess, Nancy L.; Ryan, Amy B.
Journal of Biological Education, v54 n5 p540-547 2020
Enzymatic activity is at the core of biological reactions. Understanding them and the chemical and environmental factors that affect reaction rates is critical for biology students. The laboratory experiment proposed here investigated these concepts, while requiring students to document, graph data, analyse results using statistics, and effectively communicate results in writing. This assay is a redesign of another experiment, generating new protocols using a molecular approach, which greatly reduced the volume of reagents needed, while reinforcing pipetting skills and mathematical calculations for making solutions. Length and rigour were increased by adding an additional two weeks for the investigation of more catalase sources, thus more opportunity for thorough analysis of data. Student learning was measured using different types of assessment: pre-lab assignment, laboratory notebook checks, lab reports (individual sections as well as the complete document), and a laboratory skills practicum. A post-laboratory survey was administered to assess student perceptions on learning and skills acquisition. Average scores indicated success in achieving learning objectives varied between 74.4% and 89.56%. Survey results indicated that students had a positive impression of the activity and felt it helped improve the skills described in the student learning outcomes.
Descriptors: Biology, Science Instruction, Laboratory Experiments, Scientific Concepts, Graphs, Molecular Structure, Equations (Mathematics), Learning Processes, Skill Development, Outcomes of Education, Student Attitudes, High School Students, Laboratory Safety, Reaction Time, Teaching Methods, Student Evaluation, Scores
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A