Evolution and Antibacterial Resistance
Evolution can be a difficult and abstract concept to teach. Students may have heard about antibiotics that no longer kill or inhibit the growth of certain bacteria, but they may not understand the evolutionary changes that occur within bacteria to make this possible. It is a great example of how living organisms can change and […]
Bacteria and Media Reference Guide
Lab Skills: Oil Immersion
Using an oil immersion lens in microscopyis essential for viewing fine details in a sample. Use these resources to learn how to master this lab skill.
Lab Skills: Aseptic Technique
Aseptic technique is the most fundamental skill for working with microorganisms or biological materials because it prevents contamination of experiments and cultures and reduces the spread of disease.
Protists: Key to Algae Mixtures
Carolina LabSheets™ Overview In this lab activity students use a simple dichotomous key to identify several genera of algae contained in our algae mixtures. The key avoids the use of highly technical terms so that even beginning students can use it. Student Lab Sheet Key to Algae Mixtures Needed Materials Algae Mixture (see recommendations below) […]
Bacterial Growth on MacConkey Agar
Carolina LabSheets™ Overview In this lab studentsculture three bacteria on nutrient agar and MacConkey agar and record the results. Nutrient agar is nonselective, meaning that it supports the growth of a broad range of bacteria. MacConkey agar inhibits the growth of Gram-positive bacteria and is thus a selective medium. MacConkey agar is also a differential […]
Introduction to Protists: Euglena
Carolina LabSheets™ Overview In this lab, students observe Euglena, a protist that combines some characteristics of animals with the plant-like ability to photosynthesize. Traditionally, Euglenas were classified under Domain Eukarya, Kingdom Protista, and Phylum Euglenozoa (sometimes Euglenophyta). However, it is widely recognized that Protista is not a natural grouping. Currently, Euglena is classified in the […]
Introduction to Prokaryotes: Cyanobacteria
CAROLINA LABSHEETS Overview Materials Procedures Quick Links Close Quick Links Open Quick Links Overview Materials Procedures Overview Materials Procedures Overview In this lab students observe two examples of cyanobacteria and make a simple comparison to a eukaryotic green alga. arrow-icon-size3 Download Activity Guide Materials Introductory Bacteria Sets arrow-icon-size3 Shop Cyanobacteria Needed Materials culture of Anabaena […]
Introduction to Prokaryotes: Bacteria
Carolina LabSheets™ Overview In this lab students are introduced to the Domain Bacteria (Eubacteria). They will make smears of bacteria on microscope slides from pure cultures, perform a simple stain, and observe their stained slides under a microscope. The stained slides are best observed at 700–1000× with oil immersion; however, they can be viewed under […]
Introduction to Fungi
Carolina LabSheets™ Overview This lab introduces students to the Kingdom Fungi through study of two phyla, the zygomycetes and basidiomycetes. Download Student Lab Sheet Needed Materials Phycomyces (+) plate culture (156182) Phycomyces (–) plate culture (156183) Coprinus mushroom, c.s. (298176) Potato Dextrose Agar plates (821902) scalpels* Bunsen burners alcohol lamps eatable mushrooms from grocery stereomicroscopes […]