2.1 Practical Investigation

Practical Investigation Ideas Micro-organisms Do different types of bacteria grow on different foods? Do different types of bacteria grow on different foods? What is the effect of temperature on the growth rate of bacteria? What is the effect of temperature on the growth rate of bacteria? What factors affect the effectiveness of preservatives on the growth of bacterial colonies? What factors affect the effectiveness of preservatives on the growth of bacterial colonies? Do bread yeast and wine yeast respond in the same way to ethanol? Do bread yeast and wine yeast respond in the same way to ethanol? What is the effect on the density of soil bacteria of incorporating different types of organic matter into soil? What is the effect on the density of soil bacteria of incorporating different types of organic matter into soil? Investigate succession on a piece of bread Investigate succession on a piece of bread

Practical Investigation Ideas Plants What factors affect the germination of sunflower seeds? What factors affect the germination of sunflower seeds? What is the effect of wavelength of light on plant growth? What is the effect of wavelength of light on plant growth? What is the effect of wavelength of light on the rate of photosynthesis? What is the effect of wavelength of light on the rate of photosynthesis? What is the effect of light colour on the growth of seedlings? What is the effect of light colour on the growth of seedlings? What is the effect of different mineral nutrients on seedling growth? What is the effect of different mineral nutrients on seedling growth? What is the effect of different brands and types of fertilisers on seedling growth? What is the effect of different brands and types of fertilisers on seedling growth? What is the effect of salt tolerance on seed germination? What is the effect of salt tolerance on seed germination? What is the effect of wind (none, intermittent, constant) on plant growth? What is the effect of wind (none, intermittent, constant) on plant growth?

Practical Investigation Ideas Does the effectiveness of different brands of weed killer vary? Does the effectiveness of different brands of weed killer vary? Is weed control dependent on the concentration of the weedicide? Is weed control dependent on the concentration of the weedicide? Does planting depth affect the rate of germination in clover and pea seeds? Does planting depth affect the rate of germination in clover and pea seeds? Does soil type affect the germination of clover and pea seeds ? Does soil type affect the germination of clover and pea seeds ? Does soil type affect the formation of roots on geranium cuttings? Does soil type affect the formation of roots on geranium cuttings? Is hormone rooting powder effective in promoting the rooting of cuttings? Is hormone rooting powder effective in promoting the rooting of cuttings? Does temperature affect germination of clover seeds? Does temperature affect germination of clover seeds? Investigate the distribution of lawn species in the sun and in the shade Investigate the distribution of lawn species in the sun and in the shade

Practical Investigation Ideas Cell chemistry Rate of enzyme action at different temperatures Rate of enzyme action at different temperaturesTransport Osmoregulation in Nereis sp. Osmoregulation in Nereis sp. To measure the heat beat of Daphnia at different temperatures To measure the heat beat of Daphnia at different temperatures Compare the transpiration rate in different plants Compare the transpiration rate in different plantsRespiration The effect of temperature on the rate of anaerobic respiration of glucose by yeast The effect of temperature on the rate of anaerobic respiration of glucose by yeast

Biological Concepts Enzyme activity Enzyme activity Cell processes such as: photosynthesis, protein synthesis, cellular respiration, mitosis… Cell processes such as: photosynthesis, protein synthesis, cellular respiration, mitosis… Surface area versus volume ratio Surface area versus volume ratio Transport: diffusion, osmosis, active transport Transport: diffusion, osmosis, active transport Patterns and interrelationships in populations and communities Patterns and interrelationships in populations and communities Transport in plants and animals Transport in plants and animals

In the Past… To see if different storage places have an effect on the sucrose concentration in potatoes To see if different storage places have an effect on the sucrose concentration in potatoes To determine whether the sucrose concentration varies between different root vegetables. To determine whether the sucrose concentration varies between different root vegetables. To find which river in the Nelson region has the highest density of micro invertebrates To find which river in the Nelson region has the highest density of micro invertebrates To find out what effect the texture of soil has on seed germination To find out what effect the texture of soil has on seed germination To find out, if the flow rate in a steam has an effect on the diversity and the abundance of bacteria and fungi found in the stream To find out, if the flow rate in a steam has an effect on the diversity and the abundance of bacteria and fungi found in the stream Does the temperature of sodium hydroxide have an effect on the rate of diffusion into agar? Does the temperature of sodium hydroxide have an effect on the rate of diffusion into agar?