Articles tagged as "Practical"

Sugar, starch or cellulose? What carbohydrates do plants make?

This resource tackles the learning objective ‘“Carbohydrates can be found in a range of plant organs”. This is activity 4 in the ‘Photosynthesis: A Survival Guide’ scheme. Pupils can test a variety of plant products for different sorts of carbohydrates, including glucose, starch and cellulose. These plant products can be fresh fruit and vegetables, but it is also interesting to test materials such as cotton wool and egg boxes, which contain a high proportion of cellulose. This is another good opportunity to get students engaged in practical work related to photosynthesis and will stretch their understanding of the carbohydrates.

Investigating photosynthesis and respiration using a carbon dioxide probe

This resource looks at photosynthesis and respiration through using a datalogger and carbon dioxide probe to measure amounts of carbon dioxide under different conditions. For schools with a carbon dioxide probe and a datalogger, this resource outlines a lesson plan making use of it to look at the different amounts of carbon dioxide detected as students enter the room, when a Bunsen burner is lit and when placed beside a plant in the dark or the light. For those without access to this equipment, the accompanying student sheet and Powerpoint gives an example graph that can be used for discussion and analysis.

Photosynthesis: what are chloroplasts?

In this resource, part of the 'Photosynthesis - A Survival Guide' scheme for 11-14 pupils, students investigate chloroplasts and starch production. Students observe chloroplasts directly under the microscope using a plant such as Elodea pondweed. Following this they take a thin section of potato tissue and stain it to show starch grains. Students then use their knowledge to hypothesise how variegated leaves might affect a plant’s growth.

Investigating leaf adaptations - why do nettles sting?

In this activity, students investigate a selection of plant leaves to discover how they are adapted to deter herbivores, looking specifically at stinging nettles and docks.

Investigating the antibacterial properties of plants: Introducing STEM Careers

In this resource, students investigate the antibacterial properties of plants. Their investigation is placed in the context of a case study of Prof Julian Ma who specialises in ‘pharming’ – the production of medicines by plants. Students read the case study and watch the video about Julian's medical research, and then carry out a practical using the disc diffusion method, testing various plants to see if they make chemicals which have antimicrobial properties.

Investigating how plants use colour to attract pollinators: Introducing STEM Careers

In this investigation, students look at the way in which flowering plants use colour to attract pollinators, and particularly bees. They carry out a variety of short practicals and research activities.The investigation is put in a STEM Careers context through a case study of plant scientist Dr Beverley Glover,

Investigating the anti-cancer properties of plants: Introducing STEM Careers

This resource, aimed at 11-14 (KS3) students, is part of the SAPS Careers in Science series, a set of resources to support science teachers in integrating STEM careers information with practical activities. Students are introduced to Dr Jess Chu, a young scientist researching Malaysian rainforest plants to see if they have antioxidant, anti-cancer or antibacterial properties. Students then carry out their own investigations into the presence of vitamin C, an antioxidant, in the different parts of different plants.

Investigating the difference between organic and non-organic food: Introducing STEM Careers

In this investigation for KS3 (11-14), students design a fair test by carrying out a blind trial into the difference between organic and non-organic herbs. This resource is part of the SAPS Careers in Science series.

Using tissue culture and 'cloning' for rare plant conservation: Introducing STEM Careers

In this resource, students carry out a 'cauliflower cloning' tissue culture practical to investigate totipotency in plants. The practical is placed in the context of a STEM careers case study, to give students a broader understanding of the underlying science.

Extracting oil from plants

GCSE science students need to understand that plant oils can be extracted by both crushing and pressing plant material and by the more complex process of steam distillation. This resource describes a simple technique that can be run as a demonstration or as a class practical to extract a plant oil. There are also a couple of quick demonstrations based on plant oils and instructions for a student activity.

Phytoremediation and phytomining: a practical activity

Phytoremediation is the use of green plants to decontaminate soils in situ. Soils can become contaminated from activities such as mining & manufacturing. This practical activity investigates the use of hyperaccumulating plants to clean up copper contaminated soils. In turn, the copper can be extracted from the plants, known as phytomining.

Hydroponics

This practical activity outlines how to grow plants hydroponically in the classroom. It aims to give students an understanding of the basic growth needs of plants. It also shows how hydroponics can be utilised to provide food to humans as our population expands.

Microscopy - Amazing African Violets

Take a look at all sorts of specialised cells and structures, including stomata, trichomes, xylem and pollen grains, with this cheap, easily available and versatile plant. You can even see cytoplasmic streaming. This resource includes a worksheet, powerpoint and two videos.

Microscopy - Looking at xylem and specialised cells

Resources to show how you can use microscopes for quick, cheap and easy practicals in your lab. These two resources focus on looking at the structure and function of xylem and other specialised plant cells.

Cauliflower Cloning - Tissue Culture and Micropropagation

'Cauliflower cloning' is an enjoyable way for students to see totipotency at work, and is now a key practical for GCSE specifications. This updated protocol, including technical instructions and a student sheet, is a reliable way to demonstrate this in the lab, with much less risk of contamination.

Investigating Gravitropism with Dandelions

This experiment offers a simple, cheap and fun way to look at gravitropism over the course of a double lesson, using the strong gravitropic response of common dandelions.

Investigations into eutrophication

This brief resource gives five starter ideas for students and classes who want to investigate eutrophication, with options including using duckweed, algae and other plants.

Student Sheet 21 - Measuring the biomass of duckweed (Lemna minor)

A useful way to calculate the amount of duckweed in a pond or an aquarium.

Light Banks for use in the classroom

If you're planning to use fast plants in the classroom, you'll need a light bank. Here are some details of suppliers.

Video demo - How do nettles sting?

This video demo shows a quick and easy plant practical for your biology lab. Using Universal Indicator paper, students investigate the pH of nettle stings. This can easily be built up into a broader investigation, or used as a quick practical to introduce the topics of plant defences, adaptations and specialised cells.