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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.
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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.
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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.
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Video clip - Chloroplasts and starch
This BBC video clip introduces chloroplasts and the accumulation of starch grains. This can be used as an introduction to the importance and then the structure of the chloroplast. Older students can then discuss the internal structure of the chloroplast and relate it to the different stages in photosynthesis.
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Video clip - Light and starch production
This BBC video clip demonstrates the classic experiment to show that light is needed for the production of starch. The process can be discussed in terms of what is being done to the leaf at each stage and why the demonstration is so elegant. Pupils can then do their own leaf shading and iodine tests. This can then be extended into tests on leaves which have also been deprived of carbon dioxide.
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Video clip - Van Helmont's experiments on plant growth
This BBC video clip demonstrates Van Helmont's classic experiment to investigate the puzzle of how plants grow. The clip also raises issues about the use of scientific evidence to support conclusion and can be used to emphasise that firm conclusions can only be drawn when clear evidence is found.
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Video clip - Production of oxygen in plants
This BBC video clip demonstrates a classic experiment to investigate the production of oxygen by plants in sunlight. The design of Ingenhousz’ experiments can be discussed. The control of variables controlling photosynthesis such as light and heat etc. can be considered, and the way that only one variable can be changed while all others are controlled if firm conclusions are to be drawn.
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Video clip - Leaf structure, stomata and the absorption of carbon dioxide
This BBC video clip introduces the role of stomata, with the surface structure of a leaf observed using increasingly larger magnifications.This can be used as an introduction to leaf structure and then developed into a discussion of the other features of a leaf and how it is adapted for efficient photosynthesis.
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Video clip - How commercial growers increase crop yield
This video clip from the BBC (from the TV series Botany: A Blooming History) looks at how commercial growers manipulate the limiting factors of photosynthesis to increase crop yield. A lesson 'starter' when discussing limiting factors.
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Video clip - The work of Calvin and Benson on photosynthesis
This BBC video clip looks at the work of Benson and Calvin investigating photosynthesis in the 20th century. This can be used as an introduction for higher level students to the light independent reactions of photosynthesis and the Calvin-Benson cycle.
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Video clip - Generation of clean fuels
This BBC video clip scientists at the University of Glasgow, whose research focuses on trying to replicate the process of photosynthesis in the laboratory. This can be used to introduce the idea of using natural processes as the basis for scientific innovation (biomimetics). It is also a good way to look at the need for ways to reduce the impact of global warming, and to produce clean fuels.
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Video clip - Thomas Fairchild, speciation and evolution
This BBC video clip introduces 18th century botanist and entrepreneur Thomas Fairchild and his pioneering work into speciation. Use in lessons covering evolution and speciation or as an example of artificial manipulation of life. Could contribute to discussions of genetic modification.
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Video clip - Classification techniques and the search for useful plants
This BBC video clip looks at the way in which classification techniques are used by research scientists at Kew Gardens in their search for new medicines and other useful plants. A real world use for this is demonstrated using a variety of sage plant with the ability to produce a chemical which may be effective in the treatment of malaria.
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Video clip - The discovery of gene switches in maize
This video clip from the BBC (from the TV series Botany: A Blooming History) introduces maize as a source of genetic variation, for use as an introduction to the principles of gene interactions and gene switching and the importance of collecting enough data to ensure reliability
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Video clip - Vavilov and the establishment of the first seed banks
This video clip from the BBC (from the TV series Botany: A Blooming History) introduces Russian scientist Nikolai Vavilov, and how his aim to cross different varieties of plants led him to establish the first seed bank. This method of storing genetic material is now internationally important. This video can be used to introduce the ideas of conservation of genetic resources, especially in the context of changes in climate and the damaging effects of human activity.
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Video clip - Variation, inheritance and the work of Mendel
This video clip from the BBC (from the TV series Botany: A Blooming History) introduces the ideas of inheritance of characteristics, with a discussion of Mendel's research into patterns of inheritance in pea plants. This can also be used to introduce a lesson on the history of science and ideas.
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Video clip - Muriel Wheldale and complex gene interactions
This video clip from the BBC (from the TV series Botany: A Blooming History) looks at how geneticists in the early 20th century investigated the puzzle of the inheritance of characteristics. This can be used to introduce more complex patterns of inheritance to more confident students. These can include ideas of co-dominance, epistasis etc.
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