Welcome to the Open Educational Resource (OER) laboratory manual
Welcome to Biology 1 Cellular Processes Laboratory
Get ready to dive into the world of scientific discovery—where questions spark curiosity, experiments reveal hidden patterns, and living systems come alive right before your eyes. In this Biology 1 laboratory, you won’t just learn science—you’ll do science.
We’ll begin with the scientific method, learning how to design experiments, collect data, and interpret results like real scientists. You’ll build essential skills in graphing, data analysis, and using the metric system—the universal language of science. Early on, you’ll explore the chemistry of life by identifying biological molecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, and discovering how they shape every organism.
You’ll investigate the power and precision of enzymes, watch osmosis and diffusion in action, and explore the structure and function of DNA—along with exciting tools in modern biotechnology. As we move forward, you’ll uncover how cells capture and use energy through cellular respiration and photosynthesis, two of the most important processes sustaining life on Earth.
Throughout the semester, you’ll make observations, ask questions, test ideas, and uncover connections between biology and the world around you. Whether you’re pursuing a future in science or simply curious about how life works, this lab will open your eyes to the elegance, complexity, and excitement of biology.
Welcome to the adventure—your journey as a scientist starts now!
Acknowledgements
The contents of this laboratory manual have been adapted from the BioScience I Laboratory Manual by Jamie Colson-Moon and Denise Bristol, as well as the Biology I: Cellular Processes Laboratory Manual by Debarati Ghosh and Taylor Kelsay. Their work and dedication are sincerely acknowledged and appreciated, having served as valuable resources in shaping the material presented here.
In addition I want to acknowledge the support provided by Josh Hill, Ilene Frank, the Center For Innovative Teaching and Technology (CITT) and the administration at Hillsborough College.
