• Recognize and explain how the scientific method is used to solve problems.
• Make observations and discriminate between scientific and pseudoscientific explanations.
• Weigh evidence and make decisions based on strengths and limitations of scientific knowledge and the scientific method.
• use knowledge of biological principles, the scientific method, and appropriate technologies to ask relevant questions, develop hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, interpret results, and draw conclusions
The timed, non-proctored, final examination represents the final assessment for the lecture portion of the class. You will have 3 hours to complete the multiple choice portion of the exam and 2 hours to complete the short answer portion of the final exam. You can start the exam any time during the last 72 hours of class, but once started, you must complete the exam within the allotted time. Failure to submit the timed final exam by the deadline will result in your exam not being accepted. The final exam may consist of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, matching, short answer, and essay questions.
Final Applied Lab Project (1 credit Lab Component)
Addresses course outcomes 1-4:
• recognize and explain how the scientific method is used to solve problems
• make observations and discriminate between scientific and pseudoscientific explanations
• weigh evidence and make decisions based on strengths and limitations of scientific knowledge and the scientific method
• use knowledge of biological principles, the scientific method, and appropriate technologies to ask relevant questions, develop hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, interpret results, and draw conclusions
This is the culminating lab assessment in BIOL 103. It is designed to assess your ability to apply the principles of the scientific method.
The Effect of Low pH Fluids on Enzyme Activity
Design an experiment in which you will test the effect of fluids having a variety of low pH values on enzymatic activity. Recall: enzymes are proteins! To complete this project, it may be useful for you to first review the Scientific Method Tutorial, your online textbook, the LEO module about pH and enzymes, Lab 1 (Introduction to Science) and Lab 4 (Enzymes). As you review Lab 4, you will be reminded that there are several factors that impact enzymatic activity: pH, temperature, and amount of reagent. It is acceptable to use the same enzyme/substrate as you did in lab 4 (but modify the treatment), or you can search on-line to find a different enzyme/substrate for measuring enzyme activity for your project (include all references).
As you design your experiment for this project, please remember that you are trying to examine how fluids having low pH values will modify the outcome of an enzymatic reaction. To successfully complete this project, you will need to identify the question(s) being asked in your experiment and the hypothesis that you are testing. In your experimental design, you must clearly explain what you are doing. That means that you will need to identify the enzyme, the substrate, the fluids used as treatment, the control treatment and the method of measuring enzyme activity, as well as explain your experimental protocol. You must also thoroughly explain how the fluids impacted enzyme activity based on the results from your own experiment as well as knowledge of enzymes and pH from the LEO modules, online textbook, lab manual and potentially additional information sources.
Hint: Keep in mind that the fluid will change the environmental conditions of the experiment (for example, a low pH value could change the shape of the active site on the enzyme protein), without directly participating in the reaction.

Lab Materials
You may need all or some of the following, depending on your experimental design:
Materials from your lab kit:
• pH paper
• hydrogen peroxide solution (you can purchase this at a pharmacy if you have used up the bottle that came with the lab kit)
• plastic beakers or cups
• vinegar
• yeast (can be purchased at grocery store if more is needed)
• balloons
• plastic bottle
• marker for labeling of beakers
• Cell phone/digital camera – pictures required
You may choose to use additional materials (different acidic fluids and/or different organisms and/or different substrate if you chose an enzyme other than catalase).
Outline:
Include the following in your outline:
• Name of enzyme you will use
• Name of organism (if applicable)
• The substrate and products in the chemical reaction
• Method for measuring enzyme activity
• Treatment: acidic fluid(s), pH, length of exposure, how you will treat your samples
• The control(s) in the experiment
• Hypothesis
• How you will present your data (table and/or type of graph)
• Anything else you would like to get feedback on before you start your experiment

Write a lab report that includes the following:
1. Title page: descriptive title, your name, course name, semester
2. Introduction: general background information about enzymes and specific information about your chosen enzyme, the question(s) that you are asking and a clear hypothesis for your experiment (20 points).
3. Experimental Design. Provide a detailed description of the materials and methods used to conduct the experiment. Identify control and experimental samples, as well as independent and dependent variables. Also include the methods used for data collection and analysis (20 points).
4. Recordation of results. Take pictures of the results as well as provide a written description of what you observed. Present your data in table and/or graph format. Remember to label everything and include the unit of measure with all numbers (20 points)
5. Interpretation and Discussion of Results. It may be necessary for you to refer to the text book and course modules, lab manual and/or use additional information resources. What effect does the acidic treatment have on enzyme activity? Did you get the expected results? Explain. If your results were not what you expected, provide an explanation of what you think happened including any problems with your original hypothesis (20 points)
6. Statement of a Specific and Accurate Conclusion. Is your hypothesis supported by the results? Looking back, how could you have improved your experiment? (10 points)
7. Include a list of references to all information sources used in APA format (5 points).