Experiments
Here are experiments our science specialists have selected to support the IB* topic.
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
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
- Educational Standard
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Subject
- Biology
- Section
- Core
- Topic
- 5. Evolution and biodiversity
* The IB Diploma Program is an official program of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) which authorizes schools to offer it. The material available here has been developed independently of the IBO and is not endorsed by it.