Experiments

Here are experiments our science specialists have selected to support this IB* topic.

Fermentation with Yeast

Experiment #11 from Investigating Biology through Inquiry

In this Preliminary Activity, you will use a Gas Pressure Sensor to monitor the pressure inside a conical tube as yeast metabolizes glucose anaerobically. When data collection is complete, you will perform a linear fit on the resultant graph to determine the fermentation rate.

After completing the Preliminary Activity, you will first use reference sources to find out more about sugar fermentation by yeast before you choose and investigate a researchable question dealing with fermentation. Some topics to consider in your reference search are:

• sugars
  
• glucose
  
• monosaccharides
  
• disaccharides
  
• fermentation
  
• anaerobic respiration
  
• aerobic respiration
  
• yeast
  
• enzyme
  
• substrate
  
• enzyme inhibitor
  

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) 2025

Subject

Biology

Theme

C Interactions and interdependence

Level of organization

1 Molecules

Topic

C1.2 Cell respiration

Section

Additional higher level