9451763 Chelberg This project is intended to improve the laboratory experience for Augsburg College biology majors in the study of cell biology. Students will gain an appreciation of the relationships between intact cells, functioning cell organelles, and their components through investigations designed to improve both their thinking skills and their laboratory skills. Effects of the project will be felt in lab exercises and student projects in introductory and advanced cell biology courses and in independent student research. A rapid cycling ultracentrifuge, a multipurpose preparative centrifuge, electrophoretic equipment and a refrigerated water bath will be used for separation and analysis of subcellular components. For colorimetric and spectrophotometric analysis of mitochondrial function, vacuolar proton pumping, nucleic acid and protein determinations and a variety of related procedures we propose to acquire six student grade spectrophotometers and a versatile high quality spectrophotometer with plotting and analytical capability. Students will use a very sensitive pH meter and a "cool" high intensity light source to monitor pH changes as isolated chloroplasts pump protons in the light reactions of photosynthesis. All our planned improvements are designed to give our students experience in framing questions in cell biology and then learning how these may, and may not, be answered with modern analytical tools.
