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.

Investigating Fertilisers: the effects of minerals on plant growth

Fertilisers play a key role in increasing the productivity of food crops, whether that's tomatoes in a school greenhouse or vast fields of maize.In this SAPS Scotland Higher Still, students investigate the effects of different levels of minerals (nitrates, phosphates and potassium) on the growth of radishes. It generates plenty of quantitative results, suitable for analysis.

Stomatal opening and closing in Commelina communis

This investigation looks at the function of stomata in transpiration, with a focus on how osmosis and the state of turgor in guard cells affects the opening and closing of stomata. It will also develop students' microscope skills.

Scottish Higher Still Resources - now archived

This Scotland Higher Still Practical is designed to develop knowledge and understanding of the effect of competitive and non-competitive inhibitors on enzyme activity.

Symbols and Units: A survival guide for your extended project

Is the symbol for a million M or m? Does it matter which symbol we use? Read this guide to find out, and to make sure that your reports for your extended project or investigation are accurate.