Inquiry

Evolution of Cellobiase in Fungi

Experiment #20 from Investigating Biology through Inquiry

In this Preliminary Activity, you will (1) produce a button mushroom extract, (2) react this cellobiase-containing extract with substrate, (3) collect samples after 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 minutes of reaction, (4) use a spectrophotometer to measure the absorbances of the colored samples, (5) plot a graph of absorbance vs. time, and (6) use the graph to determine the rate of the cellobiase catalyzed reaction.

After completing the Preliminary Activity, you will first use reference sources to find out more about mushrooms, cellobiase activity, and the evolution and ecology of mushrooms before you choose and investigate a researchable question dealing with cellobiase and the evolution of mushrooms. Some topics to consider in your reference search are:

• cellulose
• cellobiose
• cellobiase
• basidomycota
• ascomycota
• mycorhizal
• ecology
• evolution

RecommendedInquiry

Evolution of Yeast

Experiment #22 from Investigating Biology through Inquiry

In this Preliminary Activity, you will use a CO₂ Gas Sensor to determine the rate of respiration of glucose by baker’s yeast.

After completing the Preliminary Activity, you will first use reference sources to find out more about yeast strains that are used in baking and brewing before you choose and investigate a researchable question dealing with the evolution of yeast through artificial selection. Some topics to consider in your reference search are:

• Saccharomyces cerevisiae
  
• Saccharomyces bayans
  
• beer yeast
  
• wine yeast
  
• artificial selection
  
• evolution
  
• baking
  
• monosaccharides
  
• disaccharides
  
• metabolism
  

Diving Reflex

Experiment #6 from Human Physiology Experiments: Volume 2

• Obtain graphical representation of heart rate and respiration effort over a period of time.
• Measure the heart-rate before and during normal breath hold.
• Measure the heart-rate before and during a simulated dive in cold water.
• Measure the heart-rate before and during a normal breath hold when a foot is placed in ice water.