Biological assays are important tools for detecting hazardous materials in water. Presented here is an inexpensive, reproducible assay that requires minimal preparation and equipment. Students are provided with a direct method of detecting potentially biohazardous materials in water by observing the reduction in bacterial luminescence in the non-pathogenic marine bacteria, Vibrio harveyi or Vibrio fischeri . This novel procedure, an attention getter, serves as a motivational tool, stimulating interest and evoking curiosity. This laboratory exercise utilizes a zoological collection to teach vertebrate zoology in an introductory biology lab.
Many colleges are near major vertebrate collections kept in zoos and aquariums.
Most of these institutions maintain education departments with extensive information about individual collections. Major zoos are engaged in research in the areas of conservation, behavior, genetics and reproduction of endangered species, and animal health and nutrition. Students utilize the animal collection to observe and identify distinguishing characteristics of the various orders of vertebrates, relate structures to physiological function, correlate physiological adaptations to habitat, and observe and interpret behavioral characteristics. Association for Biology Laboratory Education. All rights reserved.