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What is the Effect of Temperature on Enzymatic Reaction?

Modern Biology offers students a hands-on introduction to the role of enzymes in plant development with IND-22: Characterization of Peroxidases in Plants. As with every experiment with Modern Biology, you will find everything you need for each experiment, other than general lab supplies with the complete kits we provide. But how do you introduce this topic to your biology class?

If we were substitutes teaching your class, our presentation would go something like this:

Temperature has a significant effect on enzymatic reactions. Enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. However, like all proteins, enzymes are sensitive to changes in temperature.

At low temperatures, enzymatic reactions occur more slowly. That’s because the enzymes have less kinetic energy. 

As temperature increases, the rate of the enzymatic reaction also increases. This is because the molecules move faster, resulting in more frequent collisions between the enzyme and substrate.

Higher temperatures don’t always increase the speed of the chemical reaction.

If the temperature becomes too high, the enzyme may denature. It loses its structure, leading to a loss of enzymatic activity. Denaturing can occur because high temperatures cause the protein structure to vibrate more vigorously, disrupting the weak bonds that hold the protein in its specific conformation. Once the enzyme has denatured, it cannot bind to its substrate, and the reaction will not occur.

Each enzyme has a temperature optimum at which it functions best. The temperature optimum for enzymes varies between species, but it is typically between 30 and 40°C for enzymes in human cells. Enzymes from extremophilic organisms, such as those that live in hot springs or deep-sea hydrothermal vents, can have temperature optima that exceed 100°C.

Explaining Peroxidases in Plants

We will be looking especially closely at peroxidases in plants.

Peroxidases are important enzymes in plants because they play several roles in growth, development, and stress responses. Some of the important functions of peroxidases in plants include:

  1. Lignin biosynthesis: Peroxidases are involved in the biosynthesis of lignin, the complex polymer that provides structural support to plant cells. Peroxidases catalyze the polymerization of monolignols, which are precursors of lignin, into lignin polymers. This process helps plants to form rigid cell walls. It helps them resist environmental stress.
  2. Defense against pathogens: Peroxidases play a role in the plant’s defense against infections by pathogens. When a plant is infected, peroxidases are produced and secreted into the extracellular matrix. They crosslink the cell wall polymers. This strengthens the cell wall and slows or stops the spread of the pathogen.
  3. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging: Peroxidases neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated as byproducts of various metabolic processes.
  4. Abiotic stress response: Plants face various environmental stressors, such as drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures. Peroxidases are part of the way the plant responds to such stresses. Under drought stress, for example, peroxidases regulate water transport by modifying the cell wall composition and maintaining cell turgor pressure.
  5. Seed germination: Peroxidases play a role in seed germination. They break down the seed coat and release stored nutrients for seedling growth.

The bottom line is that peroxidases are important in plant growth, development, and stress responses. They are involved in lignin biosynthesis, defense against pathogens, ROS scavenging, abiotic stress response, and seed germination. The functions of peroxidases in plants highlight their importance in plant survival and adaptation to changing environmental conditions.

What is the effect of temperature on peroxidases?

Peroxidases are an enzyme that catalyzes a substrate’s oxidation by hydrogen peroxide, using a heme group as a cofactor. The activity of peroxidases is influenced by temperature; like other enzymes, they have an optimal temperature range.

At low temperatures, the activity of peroxidases is slow due to a lack of kinetic energy; at very low temperatures, the enzyme may become completely inactive. As the temperature increases within the optimal range, the rate of reaction increases due to more frequent collisions between the enzyme and the substrate, and the enzyme-catalyzed reaction becomes more efficient.

At temperatures above the optimal range, the enzyme activity begins to decline, and above a certain temperature, the enzyme may denature, resulting in a complete loss of activity. This temperature at which the enzyme activity starts to decline and denaturation begins is known as the denaturation temperature.

The optimal temperature range for peroxidases varies depending on the source of the enzyme. For example, horseradish peroxidase has an optimal temperature range between 20-30°C, while peroxidase from the fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium has an optimal temperature range between 30-45°C.

Where are peroxidases found in plants?

Different types of peroxidases can be found in different locations. For example, lignin peroxidases are mainly found in the cell wall. That’s where they are involved in the polymerization of lignin. Cytosolic peroxidases are involved in ROS scavenging and oxidative stress responses.

Some examples of plant peroxidases and their locations are:

  • Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) – found in the cell wall and apoplast of horseradish roots.
  • Catalase-peroxidase (KatG) – found in the cytosol and peroxisomes of plant cells.
  • Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) – found in the cytosol, chloroplasts, and mitochondria of plant cells.
  • Guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) – found in the cell wall, apoplast, and vacuole of plant cells.

Do all plants contain peroxidases?

Peroxidases are ubiquitous enzymes found in all plant tissues, including leaves, stems, roots, and seeds. Different types of peroxidases are present in various plant species and are involved in diverse biochemical pathways.

What happens to the hydrogen peroxide released by peroxidases in plants?

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a toxic byproduct of many cellular processes, including those catalyzed by peroxidases in plants. Peroxidases are enzymes involved in various processes, such as lignin biosynthesis, suberin formation, and defense against pathogens.

Plants have several mechanisms to detoxify hydrogen peroxide released by peroxidases. One of the primary mechanisms is the activity of enzymes such as catalase and peroxiredoxins that decompose hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. This process helps to reduce the toxicity of hydrogen peroxide and prevent damage to the plant’s cells.

Another mechanism involves the transport of hydrogen peroxide to specific sites within the plant cell where it is required for signaling purposes. Hydrogen peroxide has been shown to act as a signaling molecule in various plant processes, such as defense responses, stomatal closure, and programmed cell death.

But isn’t peroxide harmful to plants?

Refer your students to the above. Point out that peroxidases regulate reactions that take thousandths of a second in tiny, tiny amounts.

When your students master these concepts, they are ready to formulate their own hypotheses to test in the lab!

Modern Biology is a leader in providing biology teachers with the tools to inspire students to embrace the sciences. We are here to help your students excel. Call us at (765) 446-4220 or email us today!

How Does Music Affect Plant Growth?

How Does Music Affect Plant Growth?

Music for plants is a real thing.

Your students’ grandparents could have been familiar with an album released in 1976 called Plantasia, a collection of music played on a Moog synthesizer specifically for plants to listen to. Your student’s parents could have come across “Brainwave” music for plants. And plant lovers of all ages can find a collection of music for plants on Spotify.

And there is a growing collection of scientific research that confirms the idea that sound, in general, and music, in particular, affect plant growth.

  • Some plants can sense sound and make sounds through the motion of fluids through the xylem.
  • In one experiment, sound stimulated oxygen uptake in cabbage, cucumber seedlings, and mature plants.
  • In other experiments, sound was shown to direct plant growth, increase plant survival, accelerate germination, increase fruit nutrient content, delay fruit ripening, and increase pollination.

The TV show MythBusters tackled this topic in 2004. They set up seven greenhouses with the same kinds of plants, playing seven types of sound. In one greenhouse, they played death metal. In another, they played classical music. They exposed plants to two different recordings of speech, one of negative speech, one of positive speech, and one with no sound. Plants grew best when exposed to death metal and poorest when they received no sound.

The idea that music can affect the physiology of plants is easy for students to understand. Even better, from the point of view of teaching young scientists, it lends itself to testable hypotheses. So, how can your students verify that music has an effect on—or has no effect on—growth at various stages of plant development?

We at Modern Biology, Inc. have two suggestions. One involves approximate measurements and leaves your results open to confounding variables, and the second allows your students to make precise measurements and eliminates confounding variables.

A Traditional Method of Testing the Effect of Music on Plant Growth

The quick and easy setup for a test of the effects of music on plant growth only requires similar plants in similar pots given similar care, a quiet growing area, a growing area exposed to music all the time (such as Muzak), and a smartphone app for making measurements. You could also compare your control plant to a specimen where a news station is played 24 hours a day and compare it to one with a different network.

Use your smartphone app to record the dimensions of each plant at the beginning of the experiment. Make sure the two locations have similar lighting and climate control. Give all of your plants the same amount of water and fertilizer. Measure them again at the end of a month and see if there are differences.

If you worked with trays of seedlings, you could collect enough data to apply simple statistical analyses. After students confirm or fail to confirm their hypotheses, they can take a second look at the experiment for confounding variables.

Modern Biology, Inc.’s Method of Testing the Effect of Music on Plant Growth

A cleaner method of measuring the effects of music on plant growth can be accomplished through a simple modification of Modern Biology, Inc.’s Experiment B4-1: Effects of Temperature on Cell Respiration. Instead of measuring changes in O2 consumption at different temperatures, measure the difference in O2 consumption in different chambers, each wrapped with its own bone-conduction headphones. This way, you can bathe the seedings in their own sound regime without disturbing the class or interfering with other test groups or your control. Complete instructions for this experiment are included with the kit.

Modern Biology, Inc. is the supplier of choice for over 80,000 teachers in the United States. We are available on weekdays to answer your questions. Contact us at (765) 446-4220 or email us today!

What Are Some Good and Easy Science Fair Projects?

There are a lot of reasons to encourage students to participate in science fairs.

Science fairs develop critical thinking skills. Just like Modern Biology, Inc.’s complete experimental kits, science fairs require students to identify a question or a problem, come up with a hypothesis about it, and design an experiment to test their hypothesis. In the process, they develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Science fairs give students an opportunity to think creatively as they work through an algorithm of their own design. This process gives them a justifiable boost to self-esteem and builds their confidence for tackling problems in real life.

Science fairs give students a chance to practice their communication skills. They will have to communicate their thought process, their experimental process, and their findings on their posters. They will have to explain their thought processes to judges.

Like lab activities from Modern Biology, Inc., science fairs afford new opportunities for experiencing the scientific method firsthand. Science fairs help student participants develop a lifelong habit of scientific thinking.

What are some great ideas for your students’ participation in a science fair?

The best biology-related projects put an intuitive twist on a simple concept. Consider these five starting points.

Consider tissue printing. The project could involve using different types of bionics to see which one produces the most realistic tissue model. The project could also involve testing different printing techniques, such as layer-by-layer printing or continuous printing, to see which method produces the best results.

A tissue printing project could also involve analyzing the tissue model to determine its structural and functional properties. This could involve using various techniques, such as microscopy or biochemical assays, to examine the tissue model in detail.

Or find out whether there is a relationship between sickle cell trait and exercise performance. Measure changes in heart rate in students after exercise. Then see if sickle cell genes moderate performance. Give your student an opportunity to show their understanding of experiment design by explaining how they chose a sample size with enough statistical power to confirm a conclusion.

Find out whether music has an effect on plant physiology, using the same equipment used in the study of the effects of temperature on cell respiration. See if different kinds of music affect plant physiology in different ways, and whether temperature, humidity, and growing medium present confounding effects.

Or consider the applications of an introduction to electrophoresis. Electrophoresis is a technique used to separate charged molecules, such as proteins or nucleic acids, based on their size and charge. It can be used in a science fair experiment to examine the composition of a sample or to identify specific molecules within a sample.

Here are four ideas for science fair projects involving electrophoresis:

  1. Separating and identifying the components of a mixture: Students could use electrophoresis to separate the components of a mixture, such as proteins or DNA fragments, and identify the different molecules present. They could use electrophoresis to detect surprising impurities in products teenagers use every day, such as skin care products, candy, snacks, or toothpaste.
  2. Examining the effect of a mutation on the structure of a protein: Students could use electrophoresis to compare the structure of a wild-type protein with a mutant version of the protein and observe any differences in size or charge. Generate a project around the theme of “Tracking Down the Amazing Mutant ….:
  3. Analyzing the purity of a protein sample: Students could use electrophoresis to determine the purity of a protein sample and identify any contaminants present. Apply this technique to products with an “eww” factor.
  4. Examining the effect of a chemical treatment on the structure of a protein: Students can use electrophoresis to compare the structure of a protein before and after it has been treated with a chemical, such as a denaturant, and observe any changes in size or charge. Apply this knowledge to explain why some common product goes bad.

Modern Biology, Inc. isn’t just a terrific way to simplify lab work. It is also the source of everything your students need for science fair projects. Contact us today for more information.

What Are the Most Important Safety Rules for Your School Science Lab?

Safety rules are essential in every school science lab because they help to prevent accidents and injuries. Working with chemicals and scientific equipment from Modern Biology, Inc. can be dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. Accidents in the science lab can result in serious injuries or even death.

Additionally, following safety rules helps to ensure that experiments are conducted correctly. It increases the likelihood that the results students get with their experiments can be documented and duplicated.

Proper safety measures also help to protect the lab environment and prevent damage to equipment and materials. Following safety rules is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone in the lab, as well as the integrity of the scientific work being conducted.

Here are the three most important safety rules for every school science lab.

1. Review the instructions before you start the lab.

There are several reasons why students should study their instructions before conducting a science lab:

  • To understand the purpose and objectives of the lab: Reading the instructions will help students understand the goals of the lab and what they are expected to learn or demonstrate. They won’t get into trouble by choosing the wrong reagents or trying to make the wrong equipment work.
  • To know how to set up the lab: The instructions will typically include information on how to set up the lab, including where to find the necessary equipment and reagents. Sticking to the supplies that come in the Modern Biology, Inc. experiment kit ensures that students are not exposed to toxic agents.
  • To follow the correct procedures: It is important that students follow the steps of the lab in the correct order to ensure that the experiment is conducted correctly and that the results are reliable.
  • To know what to do with potentially hazardous equipment. Students need to know how to use equipment so they don’t accidentally mishandle it. This is particularly important when working with electrophoresis equipment.
  • To know what to do in case of an emergency: The instructions should include information on what to do in case of an accident or emergency, such as how to properly evacuate the lab or how to seek medical attention.

Students need to understand what they are testing and how they will recognize results. Sticking to the script for the experiment reduces the risk of accidents.

2. Keep your workspace well-organized and clean.

Clutter-free workspaces are safer workspaces. Students who focus on the task at hand are not likely to waste materials, lose reagents or test samples, or ruin their notes. Cleanliness reduces the risk of chemical contamination and electrical shorts and increases the likelihood of getting meaningful results from the experiment.

3. Return reagents and equipment to their designated places.

Supplies cost money. It is important to keep them where the teacher can monitor their use. But even more importantly, it is important for students to be working with the right reagents for the experiment at hand, both to test their hypothesis, and also to avoid mishandling or inadvertently creating toxic or explosive materials.

Those rules are the big three, but they aren’t the only safety rules for the science lab. Students need to avoid eating, drinking, and (yes, it happens) smoking in the lab. That way, they do not ingest hazardous substances or ignite flammable chemicals.

Students must make sure electrical equipment is not plugged in when they are cleaning or repairing it. And there really is a need, in some cases, to remind students not to use their sense of taste to identify reagents.

Our individual biology experiments are designed with safety in mind. No toxic reagents or test materials are included in any Modern Biology, Inc. experiment kit.

Want to know more? Contact us for more information.

5 Ways to Be a Great Science Teacher

If you teach science in the public schools, chances are that you teach in one of the 40 states that have adopted Next Generation Science Standards. Guiding science curriculum since 2013, these standards emphasize real-world, hands-on experiences over rote recitation of vocabulary and facts. These experiences are intended to engage students with science and engineering practices, also known as SEPs. 

The Next Generation Science Standards are a great guiding principle for science education in the twenty-first century, but one simple fact stands in the way of implementing them:

Many schools prioritize math and language learning over science,

This is particularly true in financially distressed schools that desperately need to boost math and language scores to keep their funding. So, how can you be a great science teacher despite the limitations of time, budget, and administrative support?

The first rule may surprise you.

Maintain a line of sight with your students

Great science teachers keep a literal eye on their students, especially during laboratory work. Arrange the seats, desks, and equipment in your classroom and your lab so you can maintain eye contact with every student in your class. This modification won’t take a lot of time and it need not cost any money, but it can make a tremendous difference in how much your students learn.

Encourage a scientific mindset

Unless you are teaching at Hogwarts, your students can benefit from developing a scientific mindset. They can benefit from finding rational, repeatable, and testable connections between the events they observe in the natural world around them. This doesn’t mean that your job is to deflate any belief in the mysterious and the mystical. Use scientific method to make searching for the reasons exciting, always leading to the next question.

Nurture curiosity

Don’t just lecture on facts. Encourage your classes to use scientific method to figure things out on their own.

The ability to nurture curiosity is the mark of a master science teacher. The reason this ability is more rare than one might think it would be is that students sustain an attitude of curiosity with successful experimentation. Teachers must choose topics that students have the scientific background, laboratory tools, and lab time to explore to a scientific conclusion.

Stay organized

How many of us have had a wonderfully engaging teacher who was hopelessly disorganized? Be engaging but stay organized.

This means you need lesson plans, and you need to know how much time to spend on each topic. It also means that everything needs a designated storage place in your lab, and you need to make sure reusable items and reagents are put back during every lab period.

Introduce your students to phenomenon-based assessments

It’s relatively easy to prepare students for standardized, multiple-choice exams—and the simple fact is that doing well on multiple choice exams is critically important to the success of students, teachers, and schools. But natural phenomena don’t conveniently present outcomes neatly arranged A, B, C, D.

Open-ended, phenomenon-based classroom assessments give students an opportunity to show their understanding. They don’t have to pose a stressful situation for students. For instance, a biology teacher may relate the story of buffalo on the Great Plains. Students can explain how buffalo maintained the Great Plains ecosystem, and changes in the Great Plains ecosystem affect modern buffalo.

Students used to fill-in-the-blank and multiple-choice tests may be intimidated by phenomenon-based assessment. You can remove grade pressure. But students need to master skills of divergent thinking to thrive in their adult life.Modern Biology provides everything you need for hands-on learning experiences in the lab for students from middle school to college. Have questions about how Modern Biology can help you implement Next Generation Science Standards in your biology classroom? Contact Modern Biology weekdays at (765) 446-4220.

How Do You Set Up a School Science Lab?

Modern biology teaching incorporates laboratory experiences for every student. Lab work gives students vital opportunities to develop their skills in scientific method. Learning in the lab trains students to make observations, record them, and then organize and share them. But the success of hands-on education for biology students depends a great deal on how you and your school set up your school science lab.

We have identified five essentials for success in setting up school science labs.

Plan for safety in every aspect of your lab

Student safety is paramount in every laboratory experience. Lapses in safety don’t just harm the students involved in them. They also damage the reputation of your science program and can jeopardize your career.

What are the basics of school lab safety?

  • Make sure your lab is properly ventilated. All indoor spaces tend to accumulate carbon dioxide, making for drowsy students. Good air circulation helps your students and you stay alert.
  • Have a hood for those occasions your students use potentially toxic chemicals.
  • Invest in safety equipment. Students may need safety glasses, goggles, gloves, and lab coats.
  • Get into the habit of storing reagents, test materials, glassware, and other lab equipment in designated locations. Knowing exactly where you keep needed supplies helps you avoid time pressures that lead to accidents.
  • Have smoke detectors, CO2 detectors, CO detectors, and fire extinguishers strategically located for immediate use as needed.
  • Lay out your lab so you can see every student. Don’t have any work stations obscured by tables, lab desks, or bulky equipment.
  • Plan experiments that use non-toxic reagents and test materials. Every component of every experiment kit from Modern Biology is school-tested and safety certified.

Choose a room with good natural lighting

Many experiments involve color changes in reagents and test strips. Students need full-spectrum lighting, preferably natural lighting, to see what they are working with. When natural lighting is not possible, good natural lighting reduces the risk of accidents.

Plan your storage systems for ease of use

Extra care in planning your storage spaces reduces preparation time. It helps you avoid reordering chemicals and equipment you already have on hand. Labeling every item’s place on every shelf saves everyone time.

Keeping your storage systems organized, however, requires communicating the rules for using lab equipment to your students. Make keeping the lab clean, organized, and safe part of every student’s evaluation for their lab grade.

Have a line of sight to every lab station

It is important for every teacher to have a line of sight to every work station in the lab at all times. Teachers need to be able to monitor students to maintain safety. They also need to maintain a line of sight to students for purposes of pedagogy. Being able to interact with students as they work helps them complete the experiment successfully, gives them opportunities to demonstrate their understanding, and keeps tensions to a minimum.

Plan your labs around Modern Biology materials

Modern Biology offers complete learning experiences for over four dozen laboratory topics. Not only will you have all the materials you need for each experiment (assuming you have the basics, like laboratory balances and microscopes), but you will also have a lesson plan, test materials, and student guides. There is no need to requisition supplies, and you can easily set your budget to incorporate Modern Biology affordably into your curriculum.

Modern Biology provides everything you need for hands-on learning experiences in the lab for students from middle school to college. Have questions about how Modern Biology can help you implement Next Generation Science Standards in your biology classroom? Contact Modern Biology weekdays at (765) 446-4220.

3 Easy Biology Experiments Related to Plants

If you’re a biology teacher for students K-12 and you’re currently or will soon be focusing on lessons about plants, then you may want to engage your students in some fitting experiments. The sky is the limit when it comes to choosing some experiments that pertain to plants. However, if you want to choose the absolute best biology experiments related to plants, then here are three possibilities.

Creating Oxygen in a Jar

Your school-age students will truly enjoy creating oxygen with this exciting plant-themed biological experiment. This experiment will show how plants undergo the process of photosynthesis in order to create their own food by utilizing the sun. Students can also learn how the leaf uses energy from the sun to change the water into oxygen from carbon dioxide, making the bubbles of oxygen visible. Here is an overview of this particular experiment that your students will find fascinating:

Materials needed:

  • Water
  • A wide-mouth glass jar
  • A freshly picked green leaf
  • A Magnifying glass

Instructions:

  1. Place the water into the jar and add the leaf
  2. Place the jar in a sunny location.
  3. Allow the jar to become warm before using a magnifying glass to examine the leaf
  4. Your students will be able to see thousands of tiny bubbles that have materialized on the leaf and inside the jar. The tiny bubbles are the oxygen that is being excreted from the leaf.

After performing this experiment with one leaf, you can have your students try the same experiment with other types of leaves and vegetables. You could even have them add salt or sugar to the water, use a straw to blow bubbles into the water before adding the leaf or vegetable, and more.

Growing Plant Seeds in a Jar

This is another biology lab experiment that your students will enjoy, and here are the materials that you’ll need as well as the instructions:

Materials:

  • A quart-sized glass or plastic jar/container
  • Water
  • Several paper towels
  • Various seeds of your choice (you can use dry beans from your kitchen, apple seeds, or any other type of seeds that you believe your students would enjoy watching grow.)

Instructions:

  1. Fill the jar with paper towels.
  2. Moisten the paper towels with water and make certain that you saturate them without filling the jar with water.
  3. Carefully place the seeds in the jar. Make certain that they are in a position that allows you to watch them as they grow. Ensure they’re in a comfortable position and cannot move.
  4. The more seeds you decide to experiment with, the more seeds your students can watch grow. Your students will also be able to determine which seeds thrive in this type of environment, and which don’t.

If you desire, you can vary this experiment in order to make it more interesting. You could ask your students to explain how the seeds obtain their water in order to grow. You can also have them write down the results that they find, which can be used for future reference.

Growing a Colony of Mold

Your students are likely to find this experiment extremely fun and interesting. Mold is usually a biological item that people want to refrain from growing but growing a full colony of mold for experimental purposes could be quite fun. Here is an overview of this experiment:

Materials:

  • A lemon
  • A jar
  • Water
  • Some aluminum foil
  • A magnifying glass

Instructions:

  1. Place the lemon in the jar and add a small amount of water.
  2. Using the aluminum foil, cover the lid tightly before placing the jar in a warm, dark place.
  3. Allow the container to remain in the chosen area for a week or more.
  4. Remove the lemon and use the magnifying glass to inspect the mold that has grown.
  5. Once you have finished inspecting the mold, throw the lemon in the trash and wash your hands thoroughly. Return the aluminum foil cover.

This experiment can be performed using different fruits in order to see if there are any differences. Your students will learn how mold is useful in breaking down organic material, as mold consumes the decaying fruit for food. You can also instruct your students to add salt or vinegar to the water to determine if this slows down the rate of decay.

These three plant-based biology lab experiments are just some of the many possible choices available. If you’re struggling to find new ideas for the latest and the best biology lab experiments and possibly even materials and equipment, then you should visit Modern Biology, Inc. Modern Biology, Inc. is a comprehensive online store that offers biology teachers and instructors access to a wide variety of everything needed in order to teach effectively and keep students interested and engaged. You can find unlimited biological experiments, supplies, equipment, and much more. Contact us and order yours today!

What Are the Best Biology Topics for Lab Experiments?

Whether you teach biology to middle school, high school, or college-level students, performing lab experiments is likely to be an important part of your curriculum. Lab experiments have the ability to stimulate your students’ interest as well as their level of comprehension through exciting hands-on experience. However, choosing the most successful biology topics for lab experiments can sometimes be a challenge for many different reasons. One main reason why it might be such a challenge is that you may not know your students well or what topics they might be most responsive to. Regardless of why you might experience difficulty determining the best biology topics, here is an overview of some of the most popular topics to choose from, courtesy of Modern Biology, Inc.

Nurture a Butterfly from Birth to Adulthood

Butterflies undergo a fascinating metamorphosis from a hatched egg into adulthood, as this beautiful and amazing insect hatches into a caterpillar, before becoming a chrysalis, and finally a butterfly. Each stage is absolutely amazing, and your students, regardless of age, will learn a great deal while thoroughly enjoying the entire process. You definitely want to give your students the pleasure of participating in this particular lab experiment, as it will be a memorable one.

Learn About Flowers Through Dissection

Nothing is more beautiful and captivating than a flower, which is why springtime is a favorite season for many. Instead of dissecting animals, which could be gross for some students, dissecting flowers can be a very pleasing alternative that can allow your students’ love of flowers to flourish even more. Not only will your students learn about the composition of a flower, but they will be able to examine the flowers step-by-step, which will enable them to gain a great deal of knowledge about them and how they grow.

Create a Seed Board

Your students are likely to find distinguishing the differences between various seeds of a multitude of plants very intriguing. There are numerous different seeds that your students can collect and compare in order to determine which seeds are similar, and which aren’t. Each student can choose which seeds they want to add to their board, as well as how they want the seeds positioned.

Examine Your Own Fingerprints

There aren’t many students that wouldn’t find examining their own fingerprints interesting and fun. Since everyone’s fingerprints are unique and unlike another person’s, your students will delight in examining each other’s prints, which will inspire them to learn as much as they can about anything related to their fingerprints.

Create a Habitat Diorama

Not only will your students enjoy choosing an animal to focus on, but they will also enjoy creating a habitat diorama. What exactly is a habitat diorama? A habitat diorama is a 3D model showing the specific details of an animal’s specific habitat. Habitat dioramas can be as detailed or as basic as a student desires. For your students who are extremely creative and artistic, you can expect that their habitat diorama will be so high quality that it might appear like an actual habitat.

By choosing the animal of their choice and then creating the habitat diorama of that animal, your students must conduct an immense amount of research. While they’re conducting research and building the habitat diorama, your students will learn a significant amount, and much of it will be retained, since they must gather some in-depth information in order to create a suitable habitat diorama.

Consume the Model of a Cell

A biology experiment that you can consume? This will almost always cause your students to become very enthusiastic as well as curious about the makeup of a cell. In addition to being curious about the overall makeup of a cell, tasting it will take their curiosity to the next level. What will the texture be like? The taste? The smell? Your students will discover the answers to these questions, and more. You can give the students a choice of different cell models to sample, such as gummy bears, Jell-O, or even lemonade or candy crystals.

Not many students are interested in the outdated biology lab experiments like dissecting worms, fetal pigs, or similar animals. Fortunately, the lab experiment ideas recommended in this article are fresh, contemporary, and extremely exciting. As a result of offering more interesting experiments, your students will be more eager and engaged. So, if you’re looking for additional biology lab experiment ideas or other ways to keep your students engaged, then you should visit Modern Biology, Inc. Modern Biology, Inc. offers an extensive selection of science-related equipment, experiments, and much more, which can dramatically improve your student’s level of engagement, as well as your access to stimulating, new material that will make teaching biology as enjoyable as it should be. Contact us today to order yours!

What Are the Best Resources to Learn About Biology?

If you are a biology teacher at a junior high or high school, if you homeschool your children, or if you are simply a student who is fascinated by biology, you may be looking for some of the best resources to learn more about biology. Fortunately, the Internet has made it easier than ever to find out a lot about biology, including websites that offer very specific information or can even help with experiments. Read on to learn more about some of the best resources that are available for people of all ages to learn about biology.

iBiology

iBiology is a website that is committed to bringing the world’s best biology to you for free. The website has many different features on it which can be helpful to individuals of all ages, regardless of where they are in their biological journey and understanding. There are many free videos that help to teach you about modern biology. There are many features that help to show and explain how recent scientific discoveries were made. There are also forums where people can interact and ask specific questions and conduct their own research. In many cases, leading biologists chime in with their opinions and perspectives.

Microbes.info

Another great website that is a great resource for learning about biology is Microbes.info. This website has a focus on microbiology. If you are looking to learn more about microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, this is definitely the website for you. The site has many resources, including articles that you can use to study or cite information from, images so you can see exactly how microorganisms grow and look under microscopes, and a news section, which provides information on new case studies and experiments. This website is one of the best resources when you need information pertaining to microbiology.

The Biology Project

The Biology Project is a website that is maintained by the University of Arizona. The website is designed to be an interactive online resource to help people of all ages learn about biology. While many of the resources are geared toward biology students who are at a college level, there are some resources that younger individuals, including middle schoolers and high schoolers would find interesting. There are also higher-end pieces of information that can help medical students, teachers, physicians, and science writers. The website has a lot of information, including real-life applications related to biology, up-to-date research findings, and recorded experiments, ensuring students can watch along if they cannot participate in the experiment themselves. One of the features that this website has that most of the others do not is that it also has a careers section. This is a great resource for students who have a love of biology to learn about the various careers available to them in which they can use biology. This can help them find a career path that they may wish to go down in the future.

Allen Institute Resources for Teachers

The Allen Institute Resources for Teachers is a website that is primarily geared toward high school science teachers and college biology instructors. The website provides customizable lesson plans that help to introduce students to some of the most fundamental concepts in biology. These lesson plans also include guided experiments and real research experiences that students can use. This is a great resource because a lot of the lesson plans actually use information from the Allen Institute’s ongoing research projects. This ensures students are learning about biology in real time, as scientists are conducting experiments and research.

Modern Biology

Modern Biology is a website that is dedicated to helping science come to life. The website features all of the equipment that you will need to conduct science and biology experiments in a classroom setting. While the website is primarily geared toward teachers who are teaching large classes, there are also kits that individuals can buy to perform science experiments on their own. In addition to selling the equipment needed for these experiments, the website also provides resources to help you find experiments that you can perform in your class to teach.

Contact Modern Biology Today to Get the Equipment You Need to Conduct Experiments

There are many online resources that make learning about biology and teaching biology easier than ever. If you are a teacher who is looking for new ways to teach your students, or you are a student who is looking to learn on your own, these resources can make learning helpful and easy. Here at Modern Biology, Inc., we sell all of the equipment that you will need to conduct science and biology experiments in a classroom setting. Visit our website or contact us today if you need to order science equipment for science experiments.

How Can We Use Botany in Our Daily Lives?

You may not realize everything plants bring to our lives. Yes, we see how they beautify our landscaping, enjoy the shade of a tall tree, and enjoy eating them in our favorite recipes. Plants are a very important source of life in our world. They are the reason we have oxygen to breathe thanks to photosynthesis, food to eat, and many raw materials that are used to manufacture everyday products we rely on.

The study of plants is called botany. It’s a scientific term in biology that comes from the root word, botanic; a Greek word, botane. Someone who studies plants is a botanist. Botany is the world’s oldest natural science and has evolved throughout the years to include structure, properties, and biochemical processes. Botany also studies how plants interact with the environment and plant diseases.

Six Reasons We Need to Study Botany

Agriculture

Farmers are constantly facing issues with their crops and livestock. Too much rain, not enough rain, disease, insect infestation, animal illnesses, etc. These problems are not just on the farm. They affect everyone in the food chain including right down to the consumers. Understanding plants and what issues are encountered, botanists can recommend solutions to help create better seeds for better crops, give advice on healthier food for livestock, offer scientific based knowledge for organic gardening and help prevent future outbreaks and infestations.

Gardening

Gardening is part of agriculture but focuses on plants. Questions for landscapers and other gardeners include what plants will grow and thrive in what environment and climates? Botanists study everything about plants and their individual needs so we can eat fresh, healthy foods throughout the entire year.

Plant Based Textiles

Most fabrics you are familiar with are plant-based. Cotton and linen are the most common. However, through the years, plants have been used in creating modal and lyocell, newer blends. In addition to clothing, other everyday items are possible thanks to botanists and the study of plants. This includes furniture, shoes, bedding, flooring and so many other products. Botanists study and research new ways to improve these everyday household products that make our everyday lives better.

Construction

It’s common knowledge that most of the wood used in constructing homes and other structures comes from trees and hardy plants like bamboo. Many home improvement products rely on plants as their foundation. Botanists study how to sustain our forests, while coming up with innovative ways to grow trees and other plants more rapidly to keep up with the demands of a growing population. They are also responsible for providing information that assists other branches of science to maintain forests and the ecosystems within.

Energy

Plants are now playing an important role and are essential in providing the world with a new source of energy. As we become more dependent on the depleting fossil fuels and other countries for energy sources, plants are coming to the rescue. Botany is key to studying how to develop biofuels to use as alternatives to fossil fuels. Studies are ongoing that have proven photosynthesis can be converted into electrical energy. Botanists and researchers delve deep into a plant’s composition and find innovative ways like this for future generations.

Medicine

Plants are a key ingredient in medicine for hundreds of years and date back to prehistoric times. Botanists study how plants, especially herbs, grow and synthesize different chemicals that work to improve health, treat ailments and illnesses, fight off diseases, prevent cancer and other autoimmune disorders. The bark of willow is responsible for creating aspirin, the most notable pain reliever. Plants are also used to create products that prevent insect and pest infestations. As new illnesses enter the world and common ones evolve, plants will play a key role and function in creating effective medicines. Botanists also study what plants are poisonous, also critical in creating medicine.

How Did Botany Improve Life on Earth?

Botany constantly plays an important role in improving life. Learning more about plants can make life better and could save one too. As mentioned earlier, plants not only provide oxygen for the air we breathe, and medicine to keep us healthy but they also provide ingredients for the food we eat and clothes we wear, cosmetics for beauty, and the list goes on and on. Botanists study and research new innovate ways that plants can continue to play an important role in our lifestyles in the future. The bottom line is that plants nourish us with food, provide us with shelter, fuel, energy, clothing, beauty and so much more.

Best Ways to Learn Botany

Modern Biology, Inc. has a variety of quality educational courses, experiments, and equipment to help any student learn about botany. Have questions about throw to get started with our educational materials? Contact us today and let’s get started.