Regents Biology Laboratory Investigations

          Below, you'll find all the labs that we'll be doing throughout the year.  They are presented in a rough chronological order.  Teachers, please feel free to download, use and edit any of these labs in any way that you see fit.  These labs may not be used for non-educational or for-profit purposes.  

Assignment	Description	Document Download	Associated Resources
The Scientific Method	Students use the classic "blue bottle" experiment to discover the finer points of the scientific process.	The Scientific Method	Directions to make the "blue bottle" solution
The Light Microscope	Here you'll find a basic primer on the care and use of that venerable workhorse of the biology laboratory, the light microscope.	The Light Microscope
Microscopy Techniques	There's no better way to impress that special someone than with your skillz on the light microscope. Whether you're trying to woo or work, this lab will help you learn several basic techniques that you will use throughout the year.	Microscopy Techniques
Measuring with the Microscope	How big are the things on your microscope stage? Or rather, how small? This investigation will help you learn how you can use your 'scope and a bit of math to figure out the answer to that question.	Measuring with the Microscope
Cell Microscopy	Since biology is the study of life, let's take a look at some actual living things under the microscope, and learn some techniques that will help you do so accurately and efficiently.	Cell Microscopy
Chemical Identification of Carbohydrates	In this investigation, you'll use a few tests to test for the presence of any type of carbohydrates, and then to discriminate between a few types.	Chemical Identification of Carbohydrates	Remember to properly neutralize and dispose of Molisch's reagent as well as iodine wastes.
Chemical Identification of Lipids	In this investigation, you'll learn how to determine if a substance is a lipid by determining with which other substances it will mix.	Chemical Identification of Lipids
Chemical Identification of Proteins	In this lab, two tests are used to test for the presence of proteins.	Chemical Identification of Proteins
Surface Area, Volume and Cell Size	Why are multicellular living things made out of billions of little cells instead of a few, large cells? In this lab, you'll use agar blocks to discover the reason why.	Surface Area, Volume and Cell Size
Bromelin Activity	Enzymes literally make life work. They can also ruin your Jell-O if you're not careful. In this lab, you'll learn about factors that can affect enzyme function, and some useful culinary tips, too!	The Activity of Bromelin
Calorimetry	Your body burns food, but it does it much slower than your marshmallow on a campfire. In this lab, we'll discover just how much energy there is in some common foods by releasing it...through fire1	Calorimetry
Salivary Amylase	Spit in a test tube in the name of Science! In this investigation, we'll discover what one of the enzymes that is present in your mouth does.	Salivary Amylase
The Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide	In this lab, we'll discover how well various things are at breaking apart hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water.	The Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide
Modeling Chemical Compounds	We're going old school and digging out the classic ball-and-stick models to learn about how different atoms get intimate.	Modeling Chemical Compounds
Classification of Fasteners	With so many living things out there, how does a biologist keep track of them all? Binomial nomenclature, dichotomous keys and cladograms, of course! Dive into the exciting world of fastener taxonomy with this lab.	Classification of Fasteners
Osmosis in Egg Cells	Water moving across a membrane is a recurring and important process in biology. Here, you'll study all about how you can influence this process.	Osmosis in Egg Cells
Onion Mitosis	In this investigation, you'll look at prepared onion cell root tips and locate cells in the various stages of mitosis. IPMAT!	Onion Mitosis
Bacterial Culture Techniques	Learn how to safely and properly prepare a home for your bacteria, and brush up on the finer points of sterile technique with this lab. You will analyze the bacteria you grow in another lab.	Bacterial Culture Techniques
Gram Staining	With this lab, you'll continue the fine tradition of Gram Staining (using Hucker's Modification) just as scientists have done for years.	Gram Staining
Yeast Respiration	Yeast is a single-celled fungus that is a facultative anerobe. It can do fermentation without oxygen present, but it can also make ATP in the presence of oxygen through cellular respiration. This lab will help you explore what factors affect respiration rate.	Yeast Respiration
General Plant Morphology	This lab will help you understand the basic layout of a plant, as well as take a peek inside the leaves and the flowers to see what microscopic wonders they hold.	General Plant Morphology
Seed Germination and Growth	In this investigation, you'll germinate seeds and see what type of factors, from light to hormones, affect their growth and development.	Seed Germination and Growth
Anatomy of Hydra vulgaris	Inn this investigation, you'll look at one of the more simple animals in existence, a brown hydra.	Anatomy of Hydra vulgaris
Microscopy of Protists	In this investigation, we'll take a look at an entire kingdom: protista, in a single drop of pond water. How Marvelous!	Microscopy of Protists	Associated Resources
Microscopy of Daphnia magna	In this investigation, you'll look at a member of the arthropoda and visualize their heart when exposed to various environmental conditions.	Microscopy of Daphnia magna
Diagnostic Urinalysis	In this lab, you'll find that one person's trash can be another's treasure. Looking at what comes out of your body is almost as important for diagnosing a problem as what goes in.	Diagnostic Urinalysis
Comparison of Muscle Types	In this lab, you'll use prepared slides of muscle cells to identify the various types present in the body. You'll also model how sets of models work together in the body to create movement.	Comparison of Muscle Types
Human Senses	In this investigation, you'll explore the various senses that allow you to perceive the world and respond to it.	Human Senses
Hyperactivation of Sperm	In this investigation, you'll use bull semen and various chemicals to observe behavior changes in sperm under different conditions.	Hyperactivation of Sperm
Influencing the Human Heart Rate	In this investigation, you'll see how oxygen consumption is an important thing to regulate for humans and other animals.	Influencing the Human Heart Rate
Goldfish Respiration	In this lab, you'll gently and slowly change the temperature of the water around a goldfish and see what affect this has on its rate of opercular opening.	Goldfish Respiration
The Human Lung	In this lab, you'll learn about and take several important measures of lungs and their function.	The Human Lung
Vitamin C Analysis	Vitamin C is but one of the very important components of a healthy diet. In this lab, we'll investigate the vitamin C content of various types of orange juice. You can bring your own beverage from home to test, too!	Vitamin C Analysis
Dissection of the Earthworm	Earthworms are invertebrates, but they do all the same life processes that we do, just with different equipment. This dissection will acquaint you with these ideas, as well as prepare you for the pig dissection later on in the year.	Dissection of the Earthworm
Dissection of the Fetal Pig	The pig is very similar to you in terms of its internal anatomy. You'll learn more this week about the insides of an animal than at any other point in your life.	Dissection of the Fetal Pig
The Genetics of Glucosephilia candymaxima	This lab will help you learn about the curious genetics of a very interesting creature, more commonly known as the Reebop.	The Genetics of Glucosephilia candymaxima
Population Genetics	This lab will allow you to *SIMULATE* mating with your classmates to learn about how gene frequencies change over time. It's a SIMULATION of mating. I don't need angry phone calls from parents, please.	Population Genetics