Investigations with Venus Fly Traps
In this activity from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), students investigate what causes a Venus’ Fly Trap to shut. These experiments are related to a series of investigations that Darwin carried out as part of his work on evolution and adaptation and background information on this is provided. Students use a brush to…
Adaptation, Natural Selection and Winged Fruits
In this activity from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), students investigate the role of natural selection in evolution by considering the extent to which the winged fruits from a tree are adapted for successful dispersal. This practical approach to studying natural selection and competition encourages students to formulate…
Fruit Juice Production and Enzyme Recovery
Produced by Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), in this investigation, students look at the effectiveness of enzymes used in the commercial production of fruit juices. Fruit juice companies use enzymes to break down the cells walls within the fruits and release the liquids and the sugars which make up the fruit. Pectinases,…
What Determines the Number of Spines on a Holly Leaf?
Produced by Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), this activity enables students to: • develop knowledge and understanding of structural defence mechanisms in plants • develop problem solving skills • demonstrate the processing of information and use of calculations The investigation looks how the number of…
Relative Humidity and Botrytis Infection
From Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), this practical activity was developed for Scottish Highers specifications, but the protocol can equally well be used for other specifications. Students incubate raspberries at various humidities. The raspberries have been inoculated with the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea. A SAPS…
Sucrose and the Growth of Root Explants
From Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), this practical activity was developed for Scottish Highers specifications, but the protocol can equally well be used for other specifications. Students sterilise seeds of white mustard (Sinapis alba) and allow them to grow in sterile water agar for several days. Explants are then…
Pollen, Lungs, Asthma and Allergies
Produced by Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), this resource helps students to put hayfever and asthma into the wider contexts of both plant and human biology. Students look in detail at how plants use pollen to reproduce, including growing pollen tubes and investigating the pollen in honey. They then think about how we breathe…
Investigating Potato Cyst Nematodes
From Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), this practical activity was developed for Scottish Highers specifications, but the protocol can equally well be used for other specifications. Students look at potato cyst nematodes, a serious pest of food crops. This is a good example of parasitism to study as: • it affects…
Examining Mycorrhizae
From Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), this practical activity was developed for Scottish Highers specifications, but the protocol can equally well be used for other specifications. Students prepare and stain roots, and then examine them to establish the frequency of mycorrhizae. The practical activity helps students…
James Seymour: Product Manager
Produced by Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), these materials look at the work of product manager, James Seymour. Through investigating organic food crops and horticulture, students gain a greater understanding of the career opportunities available in plant biology. James is a manager in a herb growing company and uses…
Julian Ma: Pharmaceuticals from Plants Researcher
Produced by Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), these materials look at the work of the plant biologist, Julian Ma. Through seeing how natural and genetically-modified plants can produce medicines, students gain a greater understanding of the career opportunities available in plant biology. Julian is Professor of Molecular…
Jonathan Kendon: Conservation Biotechnologist
Produced by Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), these materials look at the work of conservation biotechnologist, Jonathan Kendon. Through investigating the effects of human activity on the environment, students gain a greater understanding of the career opportunities available in ecology and plant biology. Jonathan is a…
Amy Eycott: Landscape Ecologist
Produced by Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), these materials look at the work of landscape ecologist, Amy Eycott. Through investigating habitats and biodiversity, students gain a greater understanding of the career opportunities available in ecology and biology. Amy works for the Forestry Commission. Her work includes…
Jess Chu: Plant Science Researcher
Produced by Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), these materials look at the work of plant research scientist, Jess Chu. Through investigating vitamin C in plants, students gain a greater understanding of the career opportunities available in plant biology. Jess is looking into the anticancer properties of the rainforest plants.…
Beverley Glover: Plant Research Scientist
Produced by Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), these materials look at the work of plant research scientist, Beverley Glover. Through activities based around plant adaptations, students gain a greater understanding of the career opportunities available in plant biology. Beverley Glover is a lecturer and research scientist…
Investigating Enzymes: Microscale Investigations with Catalase
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. A simple yet accurate protocol looking at the results of the enzyme catalase. Catalase is a widespread enzyme, protecting the cell from toxic effects of hydrogen peroxide by catalysing its decomposition into molecular…
Measuring Photosynthesis with Cabomba
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. A reliable way to demonstrate photosynthesis in the classroom. When the pond-weed Cabomba is placed in a solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate in the presence of light of appropriate intensity, it will begin to produce…
Investigating Enzymes: Inhibition of Catechol Oxidase in Bananas
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. In this practical, student investigate how lead inhibits catechol oxidase, an enzyme which is easily extracted from a banana and which is responsible for turning fruit brown. Measuring the intensity of the brown colour…
Investigating Photosynthesis: Can Leaf Discs Make Starch in the Dark?
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. In this practical activity, students to investigate the role of light in starch production in leaves during the process of photosynthesis. By using leaf discs rather than whole leaves, a number of common misconceptions…
Investigating Enzymes: Phosphatase Enzymes in Plants
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. A standard protocol which is used to extract phosphatase enzymes from plants, including a method to calculate the rate of reaction. Investigations using this protocol can be found on the Science & Plants for Schools…
TLC for Plant Pigments Involved in Photosynthesis
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. This reliable and enjoyable practical gives students the opportunity to observe the different pigments involved in photosynthesis using thin layer chromatography (TLC). A low-cost method to get the most out of TLC…
Investigating Phototropism: The Response of Seedlings to Light
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. This activity offers a simple way to investigate phototropism: the response of seedlings to different wavelengths of light. This technique will help students investigate this tropic response, using seedlings in film…
Investigating Gravitropism Using Seedlings
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. An intriguing way to demonstrate gravitropism in action over the course of a lesson. Using black film canisters, a freshly cut seedling stalk (hypocotyl) is attached to the lid, the lid replaced, and the resulting…
Investigating Plant Growth Regulators
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. In this activity, students investigate the effects of the hormone auxin (Indole Acetic Acid or IAA) as a plant growth regulator, giving opportunities to look at auxiliary bud development, root development, and leaf…
Investigating Seed Germination
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. This activity allows students to investigate many factors that influence seed germination, including temperature, light, nutrient levels, pollutant effects, tropisms and so on. It provides a convenient, cheap and replicable…
Growing Pollen Tubes
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. An enjoyable and thought-provoking introduction to the topic of sexual reproduction in plants. Students observe in real time the growth of a pollen tube, over the course of a lesson. When a pollen grain is released…
Investigating Factors Affecting Photosynthesis Using Leaf Discs
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. An enjoyable and reliable practical activity allowing students to compare factors affecting photosynthesis. Possible investigations could include the rate of photosynthesis in sun and shade plants, and at different…