Practical Biology

Monitoring water pollution with invertebrate indicator species

Observing patterns in the distribution of a simple plant

Observing the growth of pollen tubes

Investigating photosynthesis using immobilised algae

Food production

Growing plants to eat is one of the simplest ways to produce food. We can apply our knowledge and understanding of biology to make even this simple process more efficient and productive. This could involve improving the quality of the soil and the...

Factors affecting plant growth

Apart from light, air and water, plants also need mineral nutrients. These practicals explore the needs of plants in more detail. Experiments

Photosynthesis

Plants make their own food – absorbing and converting sunlight energy into chemical energy stored in carbohydrates such as glucose and other biomolecules. Photosynthesis is vital for the life of plants and for all animals on the planet. Explore the...

Gas balance in respiration and photosynthesis

What plants make by photosynthesis, plants and animals break down by respiration. In any community, the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen is essential to all elements of the community. In individual organisms, detailed analysis of gas exchange can...

Observing protoctista in water using the hanging drop technique

Estimating rate of transpiration from a plant cutting

Tracking active uptake of minerals by plant roots

Investigating the light dependent reaction in photosynthesis

What lives where?

Animals and plants populate every habitat on Earth. Living things are well adapted to their life in each habitat. Experiments

Energy

and to cellular respiration, linked by the concept of energy transfer in living systems, and making connections between plants, animals and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Experiment collections

Plant responses to stimuli

Although students often think of plants as unresponsive, they are useful subjects for work on responses to stimuli. There is scope here for extended practical investigations on plant responses. Experiments

Microscopic organisms

school microscope. A closer look at microscopic organisms may challenge existing ideas about the differences between plants and animals, and reinforce key ideas about the importance of each in ecosystems. Experiments

Using a spirometer to investigate human lung function

Observing earthworm locomotion

Microscale investigations of catalase activity in plant extracts

Recording variation in ivy leaves