Reports design of an interactive computer program (FORTRAN) in microbial genetics. The program is divided into three stages: background information, simulation, and data treatment. Results obtained from the simulation allow four genes to be sequenced along the bacterial chromosome. The simulation mimics experimental errors and production of…

By using intense pulsed coherent x-ray sources it will be possible to obtain magnified three-dimensional images of living elementary biological structures at precisely defined instants. Discussed are sources/geometrics for x-ray holography, x-radiation interactions, factors affecting resolution, recording the hologram, high-intensity holography,…

The nature of liquid crystals and several important liquid crystal devices are described. Ideas for practical experiments to illustrate the properties of liquid crystals and their operation in devices are also described. (Author/JN)

Discusses a set of relations (addressing changes in volume and refractivity) for use in the study of binary systems. Suggests including such an experiment in undergraduate physical chemistry courses (measuring density/refractive index of pure compounds and their mixtures) to predict even small changes occurring during mixing process. (Author/JN)

Describes use of activation volumes derived from the effect of pressure reaction rates in aiding the understanding of reaction mechanism. Topics discussed include determination and interpretation of activation volumes, high pressure equipment/techniques, and application of activation volumes in mechanistic elucidation of several inorganic…

Although a large number of experiments on aquation kinetics of inert octahedral complexes exist, few exist on the reverse (anation) reaction. Preliminary considerations and laboratory procedures for a kinetic study of the anation reaction are provided. Several pairs of students can complete the experiment in a three-hour period. (Author/JN)

Describes an experiment illustrating how such chemical concepts as light absorption, thermodynamics, and solid-state photovoltaics can be incorporated into solar energy education. Completed in a three-hour period, the experiment requires about two hours for data collections with the remaining hour devoted to calculations and comparison of results.…

Background information, procedures, and results, are provided for an undergraduate experiment in which analgesic tablets are analyzed using liquid chromatography. The experiment, an improved, modified version of the Waters Associates Inc. experiment, is simple to prepare, requiring little glassware and minimal sample manipulation by students. (JN)

Background information, procedures, and results are provided for an experiment demonstrating techniques of solvent selection, gradient elution, pH control, and ion-pairing in the analysis of an analgesic mixture using reversed-phase liquid chromatography on an octadecylsilane column. Although developed using sophisticated/expensive equipment, less…

Describes an exercise (using Apple microcomputer) which provides an introduction to computer simulation as a biological research tool. Includes examples of students' modeling programs and partial program listings for programs developed by students from an original model. (JN)

Discusses the acylation version of malonic synthesis of three-ketoesters. Includes advantages of this method over other methodologies including a final selective removal of the "activating" ester function in such mild conditions that most of the organic functions may survive. (JN)

Describes an experiment which gives students experience with uncertainties encountered in studying metabolic pathways; handling/use of radioisotopes; application of thin layer chromatography; and liquid scintillation counting and fluorography as methods of detecting radioactivity. The experiment can be accomplished in two to three laboratory…

Provides an answer to the question of why it is easy to miss when shooting uphill or downhill. Experimental results indicate that when shooting uphill or downhill, sight should not be adjusted to actual distance but to distance multiplied by the cosine of the inclination angle. (JN)

Describes use of brass electrodes (replacing conductive ink and push pins) in the field-mapping experiment. Also describes use of birch plywood for building a circuit board and a demonstration in which a resemblance of the Cheshire Cat is made to appear and reappear. (JN)

Briefly surveys the main structural types of sulfur-nitrogen compounds, and describes syntheses, suitable as undergraduate experiments, which illustrate four of the five types of cyclic species. Laboratory procedures, background information, and discussion of results for these experiments are provided. (Author/JN)