Basic Bioscience Laboratory Techniques

Preface ix
 
Glossary xi
 
Abbreviations xvii
 
1 The preparation of solutions in bioscience research 1
 
1.1 Introduction 1
 
1.2 Concentration 2
 
1.3 Using balances to weigh out reagents 3
 
1.4 Practical considerations when making a 1.0 M solution 6
 
1.5 Dilutions and the use of pipettes 11
 
1.6 Water, acids and bases 15
 
1.7 Buffers 21
 
1.8 The equilibrium/dissociation constant (Ka) for an acid or base and the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation 24
 
1.9 Summary 26
 
2 Microscopy 27
 
2.1 Introduction 27
 
2.2 Microscopes - general principles 29
 
2.3 Principles of image formation 30
 

2.4 Light microscopy 32
 
2.5 Electron microscopy 46
 
2.6 Summary 49
 
3 Spectrophotometry 51
 
3.1 Introduction 51
 
3.2 The electromagnetic spectrum 51
 
3.3 The absorbance of light 54
 
3.4 Absorbtion spectrophotometry 56
 
3.5 The laws of the absorbance of light 57
 
3.6 The Beer Lambert law 61
 
3.7 Spectrophotometers 63
 
3.8 Applications of spectrophotometry in bioscience 68
 
3.9 Summary 73
 
4 Data analysis and presentation 74
 
4.1 Introduction 74
 
4.2 Statistical analysis of data: some key definitions 76
 
4.3 Distributions 79
 
4.4 Statistical comparison of data 85
 
4.5 Presentation, structure and organization of data in laboratory reports 94
 
4.6 Summary 100
 
5 The extraction and clarification of biological material 103
 
5.1 General introduction 103
 
5.2 Extraction 103
 
5.3 Extraction methods for animal and plant tissue 105
 
5.4 Extraction methods for bacteria 107
 
5.5 Clarification 108
 
5.6 Centrifugation techniques 115
 
5.7 Points of good practice in centrifugation 119
 
5.8 Summary 120
 
6 Electrophoresis of proteins and nucleic acids

"This would be a useful guide for those at the very beginning of their bioscience research career wanting in-depth information on very basic laboratory methods." (Doody's, 19 August 2011) "Basic Bioscience Laboratory Techniques is a unique, practical, pocket-sized guide and reference provides every first year bioscience student with all they need to know to prepare reagents correctly and perform fundamental laboratory techniques." (Laboratory Journal, 10 March 2011)

"This would be a useful guide for those at the very beginning of their bioscience research career wanting in-depth information on very basic laboratory methods." (Doody's, 19 August 2011)
 
"Basic Bioscience Laboratory Techniques is a unique, practical, pocket-sized guide and reference provides every first year bioscience student with all they need to know to prepare reagents correctly and perform fundamental laboratory techniques." (Laboratory Journal, 10 March 2011)