In-class Demonstrations and Experiments effort led by Dina Gould Halme Since the MIT Introductory Biology course does not have a lab associated with it, we were interested in developing a set of intriguing and illustrative lab demonstrations that could be used in recitation sections. We designed designed and then tested several of these, receiving a very positive response. Examples of these were: i) an experiment in which DNA was spooled from a beaker, thereby stimulating a discussion of why DNA is soluble in water but not in ethanol and salt, ii) an experiment in which the students observed and analyzed the results of an Ames Test, thereby connecting mutagen to change in phenotype via the central dogma, iii) an actual in-class demonstration of gel electrophoresis that helped the students visualize molecular cloning.

If you wish to view the lesson plans and handouts for the in-class demos, please click on the appropriate link below. DNA Precipitation Demonstration and Discussion Ames Test Simulation and Problem Recombinant DNA - Electrophoresis Demonstration and Problem