Using Yeast Fermentation as a Context for Meaningful Learning of Procedural Understanding

Chan, Kin-man; West-Pratt, Jordan; Ng, Richard Chi Keung

doi:10.1525/abt.2021.83.1.26

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 22 publications

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“…Previous lessons have been developed to demonstrate different types of fermentation, such as preparation of yogurt to study lactic acid fermentation and isolation of yeast-a eukaryotic, single-celled, fungal microorganism-to utilize for brewing (2,3). For lessons studying alcoholic fermentation, collection of carbon dioxide in vessels relies heavily on access to laboratory equipment (4,5). With the switch to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we desired to create an effective lesson that engaged students to think critically about biochemistry and allowed them to do the experiments without the use of a formal laboratory space.…”

Section: Introduction Introduction To the Pedagogymentioning

confidence: 99%

Bringing Pasteur Back to Life: Studying the Biochemistry of Yeast Fermentation Through Discussion Groups and an At-Home Lab

Wodzanowski

Anonick

Genova

et al. 2023

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This hands-on, student-centered biochemistry lesson introduces beginner biochemistry students to the techniques of effectively reading and discussing primary literature, identifying fundamental biological concepts, and applying that knowledge to design their own experiments. Students begin by reading Louis Pasteur's article on the discovery of fermentation, a key biochemical concept in metabolism. Using guided questions while they read the primary literature, students dissect the key biochemical concepts of fermentation in student-led discussion groups. Following the group discussion, students "act like Pasteur" by designing their own lab experiment to collect similar data to that in the paper. For the lab activity, students utilize standard home-kitchen techniques and food-grade reagents to grow yeast in different microenvironmental conditions, such as temperature, pH, presence of oxygen, and substrate concentration in water. Here, students apply key laboratory skills such as designing experiments with proper controls, keeping a lab notebook, and communicating results. Students are given the opportunity to pursue variables they find interesting by performing experiments in their own home. Student understanding is assessed through group discussion, completion of learning issue questions, multiple choice quiz questions, midterm questions, and a lab report. This lesson features a diverse array of activities: reading and understanding the primary literature, participating in scientific discussion in small groups, and designing and performing experiments, all essential skills for any future biochemist.

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Section: Introduction Introduction To the Pedagogymentioning

confidence: 99%

Bringing Pasteur Back to Life: Studying the Biochemistry of Yeast Fermentation Through Discussion Groups and an At-Home Lab

Wodzanowski

Anonick

Genova

et al. 2023

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An Integrated Undergraduate Laboratory Exercise to Demonstrate Microbial Evolution

Qi,

Stacey,

Wright

et al. 2024

The American Biology Teacher

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Understanding that evolution progresses through generation of DNA variants followed by selection is a key learning outcome for biology students. We designed an integrated and innovative undergraduate laboratory exercise using Saccharomyces cerevisiae to demonstrate these principles. Students perform in vitro experimental evolution by repeatedly propagating large or small yeast colonies on a weekly basis. Small-colony variants known as petites arise by mutations that disrupt aerobic respiration. To demonstrate the effects of increased mutation rates, half of the selection lines are exposed to ultraviolet irradiation. To understand how the petite phenotype arises, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is performed to examine mitochondrial DNA, while biochemical assays are used to assess the ability of petites to undergo aerobic respiration. This exercise demonstrates evolution by artificial selection over a suitably short timeframe and links the results to a critical biochemical process: the role of mitochondria in aerobic respiration and ATP production. By implementing these experiments, we successfully demonstrated that the frequencies of petite mutants in evolved populations varied according to the selection pressure we applied, and that petite mutants carried deletions in mitochondrial DNA as anticipated. Through an integrated learning context, this practical exercise promotes fundamental understanding of evolutionary processes and fosters critical thinking skills.

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Using Yeast Fermentation as a Context for Meaningful Learning of Procedural Understanding

Cited by 2 publications

References 22 publications

Bringing Pasteur Back to Life: Studying the Biochemistry of Yeast Fermentation Through Discussion Groups and an At-Home Lab

Bringing Pasteur Back to Life: Studying the Biochemistry of Yeast Fermentation Through Discussion Groups and an At-Home Lab

An Integrated Undergraduate Laboratory Exercise to Demonstrate Microbial Evolution

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