Course Description
Students will perform experiments to evaluate mitochondrial content and function using spectrophotometry, histology, and electrophysiology to reinforce concepts discussed in the corequisite course Skeletal Muscle and Mitochondrial Physiology.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students are required to give a research presentation
for the lab portion proposing how their research could be
integrated with the laboratory techniques they are learning in
the lab section. Additionally, graduate students will have a
final laboratory practicum exam in which they will be presented
with a research question and must identify the appropriate
laboratory technique, control groups, and methodology.
Athena Title
Mitochondrial Physiol Lab
Undergraduate Prerequisite
BIOL 1107 or BIOL 1107E or BIOL 2107H or BIOL 1108 or BIOL 2108H or BCMB 3100 or BCMB 3100E or BCMB 3100H or KINS 4630/6630 or KINS 4630H or VPHY 3100 or VPHY 3100E or permission of department
Graduate Prerequisite
BIOL 1107 or BIOL 1107E or BIOL 2107H or BIOL 1108 or BIOL 2108H or BCMB 3100 or BCMB 3100E or BCMB 3100H or KINS 4630/6630 or KINS 4630H or VPHY 3100 or VPHY 3100E or permission of department
Undergraduate Corequisite
VPHY(KINS) 5690/7690
Graduate Corequisite
VPHY(KINS) 5690/7690
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
A. Demonstrate how to collect, analyze, and assimilate experimental laboratory data using basic science laboratory techniques B. Demonstrate how to collect, analyze, and assimilate experimental data using advanced biochemistry and electrophysiology devices such as Clark-type electrodes and spectrophotometers C. Use spreadsheet software to graph and statistically analyze electronically accumulated data D. Search traditional literature resources to evaluate data (e.g., pubmed) E. Write up laboratory procedures in a lab notebook F. Write up formal laboratory reports following each experiment (see below) G. Demonstrate how to generate a research question, form a hypothesis, and design a study to address the hypothesis using the skills acquired in the laboratory H. Perform end-of-year formal presentation to discuss research question/hypothesis/study design I. Obtain hands-on experience in methods to assess mitochondrial content and function in skeletal muscle J. Critically evaluate scientific literature on mitochondria and muscle physiology
Topical Outline
1. Lab basics refresher (pH, pipetting, reagent preparation, cleaning, safety) 2. Protein content determination using colorimetric spectrophotometry 3. Identifying rate limitations of isocitrate dehydrogenase (Krebs cycle) 4. Identifying rate limitations of beta-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase (Beta-oxidation) 5. Identifying rate limitations of succinate dehydrogenase (Electron transport chain) 6. Determining oxygen consumption rate of skeletal muscle 7. Determining oxygen consumption rate of brown adipose tissue 8. Histological analysis of skeletal muscle fiber-type metabolism 9. Determining fat oxidation during human performance 10. Self-directed research question/hypothesis/solution
Syllabus
Public CV