121 Plus 9 Biology Experiments

The intention of this experiment is to determine why the shape of a bird’s wing is important for flight.Things Required:Scissors1 sheet of notebook paperRuler Directions:Cut a one-inch (2½ cm) strip across the sheet of notebook paper. Hold one end of the paper against your chin, just below your bottom lip (see the diagram). Blow across […]

How is baking powder different from baking soda?Things Required: 2 glasses of water1/2 teaspoonful of baking soda1/2 teaspoonful of baking powder Directions:Add the baking powder to one glass of water. Add the baking soda to the other.This Is What Happens:The water with the baking powder bubbles. The water with baking soda does not.Science Behind It:Baking

Why do desert animals spend their day underground? This is explained in this experiment.Things Required:2 outdoor thermometersTrowelWhite towel Directions:Dig a hole 4 inches (10 cm) deep and large enough to insert one thermometer. Cover the hole containing the thermometer with the towel. Lie the second thermometer on top of the ground. Wait for 5 minutes

Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, sometimes called bicarbonate of soda. Some people use it for brushing their teeth, for absorbing refrigerator odours or as an antacid for indigestion!But we can also use baking soda to puff up bread and cake. Things Required:2 teaspoonfuls of baking sodaA glass of orange juice or lemonadeA glass of waterDirections:Add

How camels can live in the desert for weeks without drinking water. There is the answer.Things Required:Hand mirror Directions:Breathe onto the mirrorThis Is What Happens:The mirror becomes fogged with tiny droplets of water.Science Behind It:Exhaled breath of humans as well as camels contain water vapour. Some of the water in breath goes into the air,

Yeast consists of tiny living cells that make carbon dioxide as they breathe. Its bubbles puff up not only bread and cakes but also pizza. With the dough from the last experiment, you can see just what a difference yeast makes!Things Required:Dough #1 from the previous experimentDough #3 from the previous experiment2 cookie tins or

Some like it hot, some like it cold, but yeast likes it just right!Things Required:2/3 cup (160 ml) of warm water2 tablespoonfuls of sugar1 package of dry yeast3 mixing bowls (or cereal dishes)Plastic chopping boardA felt-tipped pen, paper, scotch tape3½ cups (392 g) of flour2 tablespoonfuls (30 ml) of oil (olive or corn oil) 150

In this easy experiment, we will try to examine the camouflaging technique of animals.Things Required:Red, transparent, plastic folderPale yellow crayonWhite typing paper Directions:Draw a bird on the white paper with the yellow crayon. Cover the drawing with the red folder.This Is What Happens:The yellow bird disappears.Science Behind It:Both the yellow bird and red folder are

In Wonderland, Alice ate a little pill and grew and grew and grew. Do you suppose it was made of yeast?Things Required:1/4 cup (60 ml) of warm water1 tablespoonful of sugar1/2 package of dry yeast2 bowls3½ cups (392 g) of flourA measuring cup3/4 cup (180 ml) of waterPinch of saltWax paper or plastic wrapDirections:Put the

The purpose of this unique experiment is to determine if earthworms respond to different light waves.Things Required:Earthworms (purchase at a bait shop)2 torchesRed cellophane2 shoeboxes with lidsTapeScissorsPaper towelsNotebook paperDirections:Prepare both shoeboxes by putting a circular hole in one end of each lid. The hole should be smaller than the end of the torch. Tape notebook

Yeast, a tiny colourless plant, has been used for thousands of years to put air into breads and cakes.Things Required:Warm water3 glasses2 tablespoonful of sugar (brown or white) or honey or molasses2 tablespoonfuls of flourA pkg of dry yeast or a cake of compressed yeastAdhesive tapeA felt-tipped pen Directions:Pour 2/3 of a cup of warm

Have you ever noticed that earthworms surface during a heavy rain? Lets find out why they do that.Things Required:Container of earthworms and soil (can be purchased at a bait shop)One-half cup (125 ml) of aquarium gravel (purchase at a pet store) Directions:Pour water into the cup containing the gravel until the water covers the gravel.

Let’s produce an environment suitable for earthworms.Things Required:1 quart (litre) jar2 cups (500 ml) of soil1 cup (250 ml) humus (partially decayed leaves and roots)Earthworms (from a bait shop or dig your own)Apple peelingsDark construction paperrubber band Directions:Pour the soil into the jar. Moisten the soil with the water. Sprinkle the humus over the soil.

Have you ever wondered which one end of an earthworm is more sensitive to odours. Let’s find out.Things Required:Earthworms (purchase at a bait shop or dig up your own)Paper towelCotton ballsFingernail polish removerDirections:Place several worms on a paper towel moistened with water. Wet the cotton ball with fingernail polish-remover. Hold the wet cotton ball near,