Using “Leaf Prints” To Investigate a Common Bacterium

Abstract

Many people fear bacteria and other microorganisms, but in fact, only a small number cause disease. Many bacteria are helpful and even necessary to other organisms, often occuring in symbiotic relationships with them. One such micoorganism is the subject of this laboratory investigation. The activity described here was originally developed in the research laboratory of W.A. Corpe (1985) and has been adapted by us to fit a teaching laboratory format used by the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) in its publication, Encouraging Student Biological Research Through Teacher-Scientist Partnerships, K. Frame, editor, in press (NSF/ESI 915206). This publication is scheduled to be released in the summer of 2000 and can be accessed through the NABT Web site (www.nabt.or ). The format calls for students to complete a CORE experiment as a class. Following the completion of the CORE activity, the students design and carry out their own variations of the CORE experiment and relay their results to the class through discussion or presentations. Several variations of the CORE activity are included here as examples that anticipate and illustrate likely student experiments.