DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

FACULTY SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

SULTAN IDRIS EDUCATION UNIVERSITY

SBL 1023

TECHNIQUE IN BIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY

AYU ILYANA BT ZULKIFLI

STUDENT`S NAME
( E20161014077)
EXPERIMENT`S NO REFLECTION
Group B
LECTURE`S NAME Professor Madya Dr. Shakinaz Binti Desa
Through all of the experiment that we had done in about 2 months and 1 weeks, we had
obtained many experiences and also new knowledge with this labs, although some of the
experiment, we had through it before, but with this technique in biology and biochemistry
laboratory course, we got a deep learning about a few of the laboratory techniques. So, here
is the reflection through all of the weeks that we had done, which include experiment 2 to
experiment 7.

Reflection experiment 2: Titration

On 21 November 2017, we had done the titration lab. Through this lab, we conclude that
if the higher the pH value, the higher the amounts of volume NaOH were used until it reached
the equivalent point. Then, after it approach the end point the volume is high again as, the pH
is higher. Based on the result, I can conclude that the volume of titrant required to completely
neutralize an acid depends on the amount of hydrogen ions contained in an acid. Besides, the
difference between the acetic acid and phosphoric acid is in the donation of the hydrogen ions.
This is the reason why the acetic acid required less volume of NaOH than phosphoric acid, to
reach the equilibrium point. The concentration of the acids was determined by doing some
calculation. Lastly, in a titration, the parallax error must been avoided for more precise and
accurate results. For example, we must take accurate reading of the data. Besides, we must
use a right technique such as drop the titrant slowly and be patient until it reach the equivalent
points. Furthermore, we must sure all the equipment were clean, not broken and in a good
condition. Thus, that are a few precaution that we can take through this titration laboratory.
Reflection experiment 3:

Spectrophotometry and Protein Concentration Measurement

On 28 November 2017, we had done the spectrophotometry and protein concentration

measurement. This lab include learned how to use the spectrophotometry, and also how to
prepare the protein concentration to get the absorbance value from the spectrophotometry
and lastly how to read the concentration of pH from the graph. Through the graph, we can
know the concentration of pH, with the absorbance value. Lastly, this lab was done to know
whether our specimen has protein or not. In this lab, we use cucumber as our specimen and
the result show that the cucumber has a protein, but in a very small quantity. We determined
the protein by the biuret and the spectrophotometry test. Our result show that, the sample A
which is cucumber peel contained higher protein concentration than the sample B, which are
cucumber flesh. Thus, my lab partner, Dava and I, we highly recommended people to eat more
cucumber peel than the cucumber flesh and don’t just throughout the cucumber peel when we
ate it because there are various nutrient and advantages in a slice of cucumber.

Reflection experiment 4: Lipid

On 5 December 2017, we had done the lipid analysis lab. This technique include in
extraction of lipids from foods and also how to calculate the percentage of lipid extraction.
From our observation on lipid, we conclude that lipids was an organic compounds that are
very soluble in organic solvents, but it only sparingly soluble in water. Lipid can dissolve in
organic solvent such as in petroleum ether. Through heated, petroleum ether will lost as a
gas. The percent of lipid extraction for the three sample that we observed, which are a biscuit,
a potato chips and a sunflower seed was 12.40%, 24.12% and 34.38% respectively. Thus,
from the result show that the sunflower seeds have the highest contain of lipid than the others
two sample. So, eat a lot of sunflower seed might cause us been obese. Thus, we must reduce
food that contained lipid for a healthy lifestyle.

Reflection experiment 5: Microbiology

On 12 December 2017, we have done microbiology lab. This lab include streak plate
technique and determination of best handwashing technique. In the conclusion, Gram staining
is important in differentiating Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria in which the Gram
positive bacteria stained purple colour while Gram negative organisms stained pink. Besides,
streak plate technique and handwashing on bacteria on thumb is one of aseptic technique in
the microbiology lab. The purpose of the streak plate technique is to produce isolated colonies
of an organism on an agar plate. This is useful to study the colony morphology of an organism,
thus we need to separate organisms in a mixed culture. Streaked plate are incubated at 37°C
for 24 hours. All colonies should have the same general appearance. If there is more than one
type of colony, each type should be streaked again on a separate plate to obtain a pure culture.

In the same time, the results demonstrate that handwashing with hand sanitizer is
much more effective in removing bacteria than handwashing with non-antibacterial soap or
water only. Although handwashing with non-antibacterial or water alone reduced the presence
of bacteria on hands substantially, the study supports the policy of many current hand hygiene
campaigns promoting the use of hand sanitizer and soap. Hand sanitizer also is the best
handwashing used in a medical, as to treat a patient, we must always in a sterile condition.
Thus, hand sanitizer is the most important hand hygiene in medical and best effective
handwashing.
Reflection experiment 6: Plant physiology (Paper Chromatography)

On 19 December 2017 before midterms holiday start, we had done the plant
physiology lab. The hypothesis was correct which are if the pigments are separated, then the
RF values can been determined. The RF value was determined by the distance travelled by
compound divide by the distance travelled by solvent. Thus, from the RF value we can
determine the affinity of the solute to the solvent. The greater the RF value, the greater the
affinity of a dot of chloroplast extract into various colours of pigment. The chloroplast contain
mixture of various pigment together. The first colour of pigment to been seen on the filter paper
was pale yellow. The colours was separated because of the differences in their molecular
characteristics, specifically, their solubility in water and their rate of absorption by the paper.
The most soluble and readily absorbed chloroplast was the pale yellow green in colour. The
least soluble and least absorbable of chloroplast pigment was blue in colour. There are some
precautions that could been take in this technique. Such as, we must always keep in eye
where the pigment go, so that the colour would not disappeared and could been determined.
Besides, we should have large chloroplast sample to been observe, so that the colour was
clearer. So, we can determine where the colour are. The others precaution that we could take
are such like we must prepared the solvent mixture fresh before used and don’t let our paper
chromatogram run too long.
Reflection Experiment 7: Human Physiology

Figure 3. Blood pressure sensor and spirometer

On 9/1/2018 and 16/1/2018, we had done the human physiology lab. This lab include
determined of human blood pressure and also human respiratory volume. By doing this lab, I
got many new knowledge. Such as, how to use the blood pressure sensor and also learned
of how to use the spirometer. This tool, can determined our health. If we healthy or not and so
on. The blood pressure sensor can determined the blood pressure, where when the health
pump the blood and when the heart was relax and also the heartbeat per minutes. That is
called, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heartbeat respectively. Thus, from
the determination, we can know someone health condition, whether he or she has a
hypertension or not or in a good condition. Thus, with this tool, it can save life.

Next, the spirometer, by the measurement of spirometer, we can determine, the total
lung capacity of human respiratory volume. By measured the tidal volume where a normal
expiration occur and also measured expiratory reserve volume. Expiratory reserved volume is
a normal expiration but with force exhale. Then, we can measured the vital capacity which
we inhale as deeply as possible. Then, exhale with maximum effort. We cannot measured
IRV, RV, TLC, VC, FRC and IC by spirometer. Thus, we can determined it by some
mathematical calculations.

In the conclusion, by the laboratory exercise, we had understand how to determine the
blood pressure by using the blood pressure sensor and also examine respiratory function in
humans and how to calibrate values obtained with independent measures by using spirometer.
By using this tools, we determine our own health.
This is some mathematical calculation for determined of the human respiratory volume:
1. Tidal volume (TV) = TV x Respiratory rate per minute.
2. Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) = VC - (TV + ERV)
3. Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) = just exhale air through spirometer and get the reading.
4. Residual Volume (RV) = A constant volume
= male 1.2 L (1200) and female 1.1 L (1100)
5. Total Lung capacity (TLC) = TV + IRV + ERV + RV
6. Vital capacity (VC) = exhale on spirometer
7. Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) = RV + ERV
8. Inspiratory Capacity (IC) = IRV + TV
In the conclusion, by the laboratory exercise, we had understand how to determine the blood
pressure by using the blood pressure sensor and also examine respiratory function in humans
and how to calibrate values obtained with independent measures by using spirometer. By
using this tools, we determine our own health.

Volume-Time Spirogram
Figure 4. Volume- Time spirogram