Explorations in Basic Biology is a self-contained laboratory manual designed for one- or two-semester introductory biology courses for non-biology and mixed biology majors. The exercises are appropriate for three-hour laboratory sessions, but are also adaptable to a two-hour laboratory format.

Ideal for students with little hands-on science laboratory experience, this student-friendly text provides clear background information and directions for conducting laboratory activities. Students not only learn basic biological information but also gain experience practicing laboratory techniques.

The Twelfth Edition has been updated with new content, including several new or modified figures and procedures that have been clarified where necessary to facilitate student learning, a new Appendix, and guidelines for writing a scientific paper. Several exercises also feature significant improvements.

Table of Contents

Part I: Fundamentals

Exercise 1: Orientation

Exercise 2: The Microscope

Part II: Cell Biology

Exercise 3: The Cell

Exercise 4: Chemical Aspects

Exercise 5: Diffusion and Osmosis

Exercise 6: Enzymes

Exercise 7: Photosynthesis

Exercise 8: Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

Exercise 9: Cell Division

Part III: Diversity of Organisms

Exercise 10: Prokaryotes and Protists

Exercise 11: Green, Brown and Red Algae

Exercise 12: Fungi

Exercise 13: Terrestrial Plants

Exercise 14: Simple Animals

Exercise 15: Mollusks, Segmented Worms and Arthropods

Exercise 16: Echinoderms and Chordates

Part IV: Animal Biology

Exercise 17: Dissection of the Frog

Exercise 18: Dissection of the Fetal Pig

Exercise 19: Blood and Circulation

Exercise 20: Gas Exchange

Exercise 21: Digestion

Exercise 22: Excretion

Exercise 23: Neural Control

Exercise 24: Sensory Perception in Humans

Exercise 25: Chemical Control in Animals

Exercise 26: The Skeletal System

Exercise 27: Muscles and Movement

Exercise 28: Reproduction in Vertebrates

Exercise 29: Fertilization and Development

Exercise 30: Early Embryology of the Chick

Exercise 31: Structure of Flowering Plants

Exercise 32: Transport in Plants

Exercise 33: Chemical Control in Plants

Exercise 34: Heredity

Exercise 35: Molecular and Chromosomal Genetics

Exercise 36: DNA Fingerprinting

Exercise 37: Evolution

Exercise 38: Evolutionary Mechanisms

Exercise 39: Ecological Relationships

Exercise 40: Population Growth

Exercise 41: Animal Behavior

Appendix A. Common Prefixes, Suffixes, and Root Words

Appendix B. Common Metric Units and Temperature Conversions

Appendix C. Oil-Immersion Technique