1. Spring Semester 2012-13
University of Puerto Rico - Cayey
RISE Program
Instructions for Laboratory Writing Assignments
1. For each assignment you should write a summaryparagraph of 8-10 sentences and a range
from 160 -170 words.
2. A template for each assignment is attached. Once you complete the template email it to Dr.
Elena Gonzalez; she will grade it using the rubric below and return it to you. Within the next two days,
you will email it to me with the corrections incorporated. In your summary include a reference to each
one of the criteria in the rubric below.
3. Email subject should include: Your register number; first name; Assignment # and hand-in date.
Example: 1. EdwinAssignment 1 February 22
Rubric for Assessing Laboratory Summaries
Name José A. Cruz Arzón Points
Date February 14, 2013 30 Points Total
Assignment Number Assignment 1
A. PURPOSE OF THE LAB
TECHNIQUE
1 2 3 4 5
Refers to purpose and objectives
of the lab techniques
B. BIOLOGICAL COMPETENCE
Demonstrates knowledge of
laboratory procedures
Reports findings adequately
C. ENGLISH COMPETENCE
Uses correct grammar, syntax,
spelling, and punctuation
Demonstrates clarity and
coherence
D. CRITICAL THINKING
In concluding identifies
applications and or implications of
the study

2. University of Puerto Rico - Cayey
RISE Program
Template for Laboratory Summaries of Assignment 1Biol. 4997-BiomedicalTechniques
Due dateFebruary 22, 2013
Reg.# 3 Name José A. Cuz Arzón Date: February 14, 2013
Summary 1. Importance and PipettingPractice January 25, 2013
The purpose and objectives of this exercise, was to make the student more familiarize with the instrument,
improve and practice their skills of micropipetting. Micropippeting is a very important technique that we
should master for future and more advanced lab exercises. The micropipette allows us to obtain very small
amounts of liquids in precise measurements that we could not obtain with a test tube or a beaker. For that
reason, the micropipette has to be an indispensable instrument for a scientist. Yet, the micropipette is a
very delicate instrument, and it should be handled with care, cleaned regularly, selected according to the
specific amounts to be measured, and used with a new tip after every measurement. For more precise and
accurate measurements, the micropipette is the perfect option. That is why, it is important to get the right
amount of substance, because lab procedures request a specific amount of a liquid.
Word Count___151____
Summary 2. Microscopy and Photomicrography February 1, 2013
The microscope it’s a very important lab instrument to be used by scientists in general. The microscope is a
great instrument for making observations of many microscopic organisms and organelles, and makes their
study easier. That is why, the purpose of this exercise is that the student acquires knowledge of the different
kinds of microscope, their techniques, and also learns to take pictures of the sample. Through the use of
different microscopes, a scientist can specialize in seeing different parts of a specimen to analyze it clearly.
Taking pictures also helps a scientist document what he or she has seen and may be useful for publishing.
A scientist can also utilize different techniques, such as whole mount, cross section, squash, and smear to
improve the resolution or clarity of the image. We can see an application of these techniques in the work
that Dr. Ross assigned us; each one of us was going to work in the observation of different parts of
organisms using a variety of microscopes and techniques.
Word Count___170____
Summary3. Workshop UNC - From DNA to ProteinFebruary 14, 15 and 16, 2013
DNA is one of the many molecules needed for life, which can produce proteins. Proteins are complex
molecules made of amino acids that can perform work in our cells. The objective of this workshop was to
see how DNA gene expression works to produce these proteins. In this exercise, we first worked on
isolating our own DNA. The next day, genetics concepts were applied to work on sequencing a DNA sample
and seeing if the “patient” had diabetes or not. Combining DNA replication techniques, we could run the
DNA on agarose gel electrophoresis to see the results; our sample did have diabetes. The following day we
studied LSD, a disorder in the cells’ lysosomes that is due to a miss-accumulation of amino acids toxic for

3. the cells. By detecting some biomarkers in the Protein Acrylamide gel, we could conclude that our patient
had LSD. This exercise is very important, because we can now understand that proteins could give
scientists information about the health of a patient at a cellular level.
Word Count____170___