The Yeast of Our Worries
Have you ever been to a hospital? Did you notice the smell? Hospitals go to great lengths to create a germ-free environment. Can you think of some things that may prevent microbe growth?
Materials:
3 beakers
spoons
thermometer
yeast
sugar
dropper
warm water
masking tape
stirring rod
soap, detergent, peroxide, ammonia, tooth paste
heating pad
Background Info:
Yeast are single-celled fungi. They reproduce by budding or producing spores, and can live in a variety of habitats. Yeast are found on plant leaves, flowers, and skin, and in soil, saltwater, and the intestines of warm-blooded animals. In some conditions, they multiply quickly. Other conditions prevent them from reproducing at all. Although some yeast are useful, other microbes are harmful. Consequently, we often try to rid areas of microbes. In hospitals, homes and even on our skin, we use things to prevent the growth of microbes.
Yeast are living things. What might they need to survive?
What is a control group? Why do you need one in your experiment?
Look at the yeast cup I have made. What does all of the foam mean? How high is the foam column?
If the yeast had been prevented from growing, what might have happened with the foam?
What substances could you use to stop yeast (microbe) growth?
How would you design an experiment to stop yeast growth?
Hypothesis:
Procedure:
Data: Graph Your Numbers!
Observations:
Conclusions: What did you learn? What does your data mean?: