Bio-Process Lab

This event was run in 2008, 2009, and 2010. It will once again be an event for the 2015 season.

Description
Bio-Process Lab is a lab-oriented competition involving the fundamental science processes of a middle school science program (Div. B) or introductory biology (Div. C). It consists of a series of biological questions or tasks which involve the use of one or more process skills such as formulating and/or evaluating hypotheses and procedures, using scientific instruments to collect data, making observations, presenting and/or interpreting data, or making inferences and conclusions.

That was straight from the rule book. In short, this event is about biology, the scientific method, and knowing how to use equipment like microscopes, etc. It is usually station-based, and often the difficult part is the time constraint rather than the actual material.

Students must bring Z87 chemical splash goggles, and are strongly encouraged to bring a calculator, which must be non-programmable. In addition, each team is allowed to bring one note sheet.

Things to Know
The basics of the event can be found in a high school Biology textbook (in fact, most of the information for Bio-Process should be there).
 * Know how to use/read a lot of scientific instruments (e.g., microscope, balance, ruler, pipette, thermometer, graduated cylinder, calipers, beakers, etc.)
 * Acids, bases, and the indicators used to identify them (including what colors they turn, etc)
 * The scientific method
 * How to use or formulate a taxonomic key
 * Genetics: DNA, RNA, Punnett squares, genotype and phenotype ratios, chromosomal deficiencies (e.g., trisomy 13-Patau syndrome), etc.
 * Know the difference between monocots and dicots in plants, and be familiar with the different plant parts. Competitors may have to dissect a plant or answer questions on the results of such a dissection.
 * How to read food chains and food webs, as well as other basic ecological concepts.
 * How to make graphs. Usually, you will be given the data to graph, although you may have to collect it if it's a simple experiment.
 * Other important topics include: respiration, photosynthesis, active transport, transpiration, osmosis and diffusion, cell division (meiosis and mitosis), cells parts and functions, and the difference between an animal and plant cell.

In addition to those topics, which will probably show up on nearly every event, there are some more minor topics that may also be useful. A knowledge of anatomy might be useful, including the bones and muscles as well as the other body systems. Blood typing, especially its connection to genetics, may also come up. Calculations on a food label have been mentioned in connection to this event as well.

Compound Microscopes
The compound microscope uses lenses and light to enlarge the image and is also called an optical or light microscope (versus an electron microscope). The simplest optical microscope is the magnifying glass and is good to about ten times (10X) magnification. The compound microscope has two systems of lenses for greater magnification, 1) the ocular, or eyepiece lens that one looks into and 2) the objective lens, or the lens closest to the object. Before purchasing or using a microscope, it is important to know the functions of each part.

Eyepiece Lens: the lens at the top that an observer looks through. They are usually 10X or 15X power.

Tube: Connects the eyepiece to the objective lenses

Arm: Supports the tube and connects it to the base

Base: The bottom of the microscope, used for support

Illuminator: A steady light source (110 volts) used in place of a mirror. If your microscope has a mirror, it is used to reflect light from an external light source up through the bottom of the stage.

Stage: The flat platform where an observer places theirr slides. Stage clips hold the slides in place. If your microscope has a mechanical stage, you will be able to move the slide around by turning two knobs. One moves it left and right, the other moves it up and down.

Revolving Nosepiece or Turret: This is the part that holds two or more objective lenses and can be rotated to easily change power.

Objective Lenses: Usually you will find 3 or 4 objective lenses on a microscope. They almost always consist of 4X, 10X, 40X and 100X powers. When coupled with a 10X (most common) eyepiece lens, we get total magnifications of 40X (4X times 10X), 100X, 400X and 1000X. To have good resolution at 1000X, you will need a relatively sophisticated microscope with an Abbe condenser. The shortest lens is the lowest power, the longest one is the lens with the greatest power. Lenses are color coded and if built to DIN standards are interchangeable between microscopes. The high power objective lenses are retractable (i.e. 40XR). This means that if they hit a slide, the end of the lens will push in (spring loaded) thereby protecting the lens and the slide. All quality microscopes have achromatic, parcentered, parfocal lenses.

Rack Stop: This is an adjustment that determines how close the objective lens can get to the slide. It is set at the factory and keeps students from cranking the high power objective lens down into the slide and breaking things. You would only need to adjust this if you were using very thin slides and you weren't able to focus on the specimen at high power. (Tip: If you are using thin slides and can't focus, rather than adjust the rack stop, place a clear glass slide under the original slide to raise it a bit higher)

Condenser Lens: The purpose of the condenser lens is to focus the light onto the specimen. Condenser lenses are most useful at the highest powers (400X and above). Microscopes with in stage condenser lenses render a sharper image than those with no lens (at 400X). If your microscope has a maximum power of 400X, you will get the maximum benefit by using a condenser lenses rated at 0.65 NA or greater. 0.65 NA condenser lenses may be mounted in the stage and work quite well. A big advantage to a stage mounted lens is that there is one less focusing item to deal with. If you go to 1000X then you should have a focusable condenser lens with an N.A. of 1.25 or greater. Most 1000X microscopes use 1.25 Abbe condenser lens systems. The Abbe condenser lens can be moved up and down. It is set very close to the slide at 1000X and moved further away at the lower powers.

Diaphragm or Iris: Many microscopes have a rotating disk under the stage. This diaphragm has different sized holes and is used to vary the intensity and size of the cone of light that is projected upward into the slide. There is no set rule regarding which setting to use for a particular power. Rather, the setting is a function of the transparency of the specimen, the degree of contrast you desire and the particular objective lens in use.

Genetics
For additional information abut genetics, please see the main Heredity page.

Genotype
This is the "internally coded, inheritable information" carried by all living organisms. This stored information is used as a "blueprint" or set of instructions for building and maintaining a living creature. These instructions are found within almost all cells (the "internal" part), they are written in a coded language (the genetic code), they are copied at the time of cell division or reproduction and are passed from one generation to the next ("inheritable"). These instructions are intimately involved with all aspects of the life of a cell or an organism. They control everything from the formation of protein macromolecules, to the regulation of metabolism and synthesis.

Phenotype
This is the "outward, physical manifestation" of the organism. These are the physical parts, the sum of the atoms, molecules, macromolecules, cells, structures, metabolism, energy utilization, tissues, organs, reflexes and behaviors; anything that is part of the observable structure, function or behavior of a living organism.

Pedigree charts
A pedigree chart is a chart which tells one all of the known phenotypes for an organism and its ancestors, most commonly humans, show dogs, and race horses. The word pedigree is a corruption of the French "pied de gru" or crane's foot, because the typical lines and split lines (each split leading to different offspring of the one parent line) resemble the thin leg and foot of a crane.

Cells
A cell is a collection of living matter enclosed by a membrane. Cells are the basic unit of all forms of life.

Cell Theory
Cell Theory is a widely accepted theory which describes properties of cells. It is based on several key points:
 * All living things are composed of at least on cell
 * Cells are the most basic of life
 * All cells are produced from pre-existing cells

Prokaryotic Cells
Main article: Prokaryote

Prokaryotic cells or prokaryotes are cells whose genetic material is not contained within a nucleus and lack membrane-bound organelles. Despite lacking membrane-bound organelles, some prokaryotes contain protein-based microcompartments, which are believed to serve as primordial organelles. Prokaryotes can be split into two domains, Bacteria and Archaea. Prokaryotes reproduce asexually, usually by means of binary fission.

Bacteria
Bacteria are one of two domains of single-celled prokaryotes. Being some of the first known life forms on Earth, bacteria constitute a large chunk of Earth's biomass, and are found in an extremely wide range of environments. Bacteria reproduce asexually by means of binary fission. Some bacteria are autotrophic and obtain their energy by chemosynthesis or photosynthesis, while others are heterotrophic and break down organic matter as a source of energy. While some bacteria are pathogenic and cause disease in organisms, many are mutualistic and carry out extremely important biological processes, such as nitrogen fixation.

Archaea
Archaea are one of two domains of single-celled prokayotes. Archaea share some characteristics with bacteria and eukaryotes, but also have unique characteristics of their own, such as their cell wall structure. Archaea utilize a variety of different energy sources, some undergoing forms of photosynthesis, while others being chemoautotrophic. No archaea have been distinctly identified as directly causing disease, and many are known to be commensalistic or mutualistic. Although many archaea have been identified in seemingly inhospitable environments, such as volcanic hot springs, many also inhabit much more favorable environments, such as oceans, marshes, and even the human body.

Eukaryotic Cells
Main article: Eukaryote

Eukaryotic cells are cells whose genetic material is contained within a nucleus. In addition, eukaryotic cells also almost always contain membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria. Organisms comprised of eukaryotic cells are called eukaryotes. All multicellular organisms are eukaryotes, and some unicellular organisms are eukaryotes. Eukaryotic cells divide either by mitosis or meiosis. Likewise, eukaryotic cells are usually a lot bigger than prokaryotic cells.

Cytoplasm
Cytoplasm refers the portion of a cell outside the nucleus. Since prokaryotes don't have a nucleus, all of their contents are considered part of the cytoplasm. The materials composing the cytoplasm can be split into three main categories; organelles, cytosol, and small, insoluble particles called inclusions. Cytosol refers to the area of the cytoplasm not confined within an organelle, and is made of water, organic molecules, and salts. The cytosol also includes the cytoskeleton and other small structures (e.g., ribosomes, etc.). In cell division, the cytoplasm is split between the two daughter cells during cytokinesis.

Organelles
Organelles are specialized structures within a cell. While most eukaryotic cells contain a multitude of organelles, prokaryotes only sometimes contain protein-based microcompartments.

Cell Wall
Structure–a tough layer that surrounds plants, fungi, and prokaryotic cells

Function–protection and support, prevents over-expansion of cell

Cell Membrane
Structure–selectively permeable phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins

Function–protect the cell from its surroundings

Nucleus
Structure–double-membrane compartment, membranes contain pores to regulate transport

Function–DNA maintenance, controls all activities of the cell, RNA transcription

Nucleolus
Structure–a round, membraneless body located inside the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell

Function–the site of ribosome synthesis and assembly

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
Structure–sheets of unit membrane with ribosomes on the outside and forms a tubular network throughout the cell

Function–transports chemicals between cells and within cell and provides a large surface area for the organization of chemical reactions and synthesis

Ribosome
Structure–non-membraneous, spherical bodies composed of RNA (ribonucleic acid) and protein enzymes

Function–site of protein synthesis

Golgi Apparatus
Structure–stacks of flattened sacs of unit membrane (cisternae), vesicles pinch off the edges

Function–modifies chemicals to make them functional, secretes chemicals in tiny vesicles, stores chemicals, may produce endoplasmic reticulum

Lysosome
Structure–membrane bound bag containing hydrolytic enzymes
 * Hydrolytic Enzyme-water split biological catalyst i.e. using water to split chemical bonds

Function–break large molecules into small molecules by inserting a molecule of water into the chemical bond

Mitochondrion
Structure–composed of modified double unit membrane (protein, lipid), inner membrane infolded to form cristae

Function–site of cellular respiration ie. the release of chemical energy from food

Glucose +  Oxygen -> Carbon Dioxide  +  Water  + Energy (ATP)

Chloroplast
Structure–composed of a double layer of modified membrane (protein, chlorophyll, lipid), inner membrane invaginates to form layers called "grana" (sing., granum) where chlorophyll is concentrated

Function–site of photosynthesis

Light + Carbon Dioxide + Water -> Glucose + Oxygen

Measurement Devices
In Bio-Process Lab, competitors are expected to be able to use many different common measurement devices. Some examples of measurement devices competitors might be asked to use are highlighted in the table below.

Metric Scale
Competitors in this event should be familiar with the metric scale. Although the table below displays all metric prefixes, the prefixes above giga- and below nano- are rarely used.

Other Units

 * A metric ton or tonne is 1,000 kilograms, or 1 megagram
 * Kelvin is degrees Celsius plus 273.15

Tips

 * If you have anyone on your team taking Biology, it is advisable that you put them on this event. It will give them the ability to study in class and already know a lot of the material
 * Whenever performing a calculation, use significant figures
 * Make sure to include the proper units in your answer when necessary
 * This event contains many aspects of the following events: Anatomy, Heredity, Ecology, and Microbe Mission

Links

 * Scioly Test Exchange
 * Microscope Glossary
 * How to read a triple beam balance