Polyphenoloxidase (catechol oxidase) Assay

Browning of the cut surface of some fruits and vegetables is due the presence of a group of enzymes called polyphenoloxidases, released by the broken cells. In this practical, the change from a colourless solution of catechol to coloured benzoquinone is followed with a colorimeter.

How can I model a plant cell at KS3?

What do you need to model a plant cell? Our team has some ideas to get you started - how creative can you be?

Measuring the rate of photosynthesis

A brief outline of various ways to measure the rate of photosynthesis - including measuring photosynthesis via the uptake of carbon dioxide (e.g. using immobilised algae), via the production of oxygen in pondweed, via the increase in dry mass, and via the production of carbohydrates.

Investigating Vernalisation & Creating Genetic Crosses

Certain plants require a cold spell in their life cycle to initiate the sequence of events that leads to flowering – known as vernalisation. This sheet describes the process of vernalisation and how it can be done to help induce flowering in Chinese cabbages. You can then use the resultant plants to carry out genetic crosses.

Bog Core Analysis and Climate Change

This activity looks at the change in vegetation in a location in Norfolk between c. 12,000 years before present and 2,000 years BP. Students carry out a simulation of a bog core analysis, and use the resulting data to think about either climate change (14-16 students) or succession and climate change (post-16 students)

Pollen and other Airborne Particles

Construct your own school pollen trap to isolate and identify the pollen and other airborne particles that contribute to respiratory illness

How Science Works - What do plants need to grow?

This resource takes a lively approach to the advantages of growing plants hydroponically, and looks at the nutrients the plants will need.

How Science Works - Copper Pollution from Mines

This resource considers how pollution from copper mines affects growth of plants, including a data analysis activity and a practical.

Photosynthesis - A Survival Guide for Teachers

Struggling to teach photosynthesis and keep it fresh? This resource collection includes Powerpoints, practical activities and student worksheets for KS3 (11-14) helps teachers take a new and refreshing look at photosynthesis.

Protoplast Isolation

Protoplasts (cells which have had their cell wall removed) can be isolated from a range of plant tissues. This resource introduces protoplasts and gives a technique for isolating them.

Ecology Practical 2 - The distribution of species across a footpath

A simple ecology practical simulation, giving students an opportunity to practice using systematic sampling to investigate changes in species richness across a footpath, before they carry out practical fieldwork.

'Fast Plants' - Rapid-Cycling Brassica Kits

Kits for 'fast plants' - follow the complete life-cycle of these fast plants in only half a term!

Investigating Photosynthesis with the SAPS / NCBE Photosynthesis Kit

This kit, supplied by the NCBE, allows students to investigate photosynthesis using algae immobilised in calcium alginate.

The SAPS ELISA kit for Botrytis

The SAPS ELISA kit for Botrytis has been developed as a low cost way to bring practical immunology into the classroom, including equipment, the necessary antibodies, the substrate and a Botrytis culture

Investigating Plant Evolution: amplifying chloroplast DNA using PCR

The protocols in this kit describe the extraction of DNA from fresh plant material, its treatment with room temperature-stable restriction enzymes and the use of simple gel electrophoresis to examine the results of this treatment.

Plants Fight Back: an article for post-16 students

When a plant is attacked by pests or diseases, plant cells on the front line switch on defence-related genes to make those cells more toxics and physically stronger. This article is written specifically for post-16 students, and includes teachers' notes.

Seeing without eyes - how plants learn from light: an article for post-16 Students

Plants detect the intensity, direction, colour, and duration of light and use this information to regulate their growth and metabolism. This article is written specifically for post-16 students, and includes teachers' notes.

Green Genes – DNA in (and out of) chloroplasts: an article for post-16 students

Chloroplasts evolved from photosynthetic bacteria living inside the primitive ancestors of plant cells. This article is written specifically for post-16 students, and includes teachers' notes.

Investigating transpiration with a potometer

In this practical experiment, students look at how at potometer can be used to measure factors affecting transpiration rates, and develop investigations to compare the transpiration rates under different circumstances.

Photosynthesis and leaf adaptation: how sun and shade plants respond to light

In this interesting practical investigations, students look at the rate of photosynthesis in plants from different habitats, and then consider what this demonstrates about adaptation. Leaf discs taken from sun and shade plants are immersed in a sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and exposed to either white or green light. The oxygen produced by photosynthesis causes the leaves to float. The time the leaves take to float can thus be used as an indirect measure of the rate of photosynthesis.