121 Plus 9 Biology Experiments

Would it surprise you to find out that your body converts starch to sugar?Things Required:A pinch of cornstarch or a small crackerDirections:Place the cornstarch or the cracker on the tip of your tongue. Mix it with saliva and let it stay for a while.This Is What Happens:At first, it doesn’t taste sweet on the tip […]

The purpose is to demonstrate how some sea organisms, such as sea anemones, secure themselves to rocks.Things Required:Suction cup (the type used to secure hanging crafts to windows works well)Rock Directions:Wet the suction cup and press it against the rock. Pick the rock up by holding onto the suction cup.This Is What Happens:The suction cup

The way you mix batter or dough influences the amount of gluten, that you develop, and whether the baked goods will be spongy or flaky, coarse or fine, tender or tough.Things Required:1 cup (112 g) flour2 eggs1 tablespoonful of (15 ml) oil1 cup (240 ml) milk1/2 teaspoonful of salt (optional)Muffin tinsDirections:Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C).Beat

In this experiment, we will see how fish cells respond to fresh and salty water.Things Required:SaltMeasuring spoon-teaspoon (5 ml)2 shallow bowls1 small cucumberMasking tapeMarkerDirections:Fill both bowls one-half full with water. Stir 1 spoon of salt into one of the bowls; label this bowl salt using the tape to make the label.Ask an adult to cut

Most flour in English-speaking countries is made from wheat. There are two types of wheat-hard winter wheat and soft spring wheat. Soft wheat has more starch in it. It is made into soft, powdery cake flour and products that are meant to be tender and crumbly. Hard wheat, with more protein and less starch, is

How old is a fish? Can we determine the age of a fish? Let’s try.Things Required:Hand lensFish scales (collect fish scales from a local fish market)Dark paper Directions:Place a dried scale on the dark paper. Study the ring pattern on the scale. Count the wide, lighter bands.This Is What Happens:The number of wide bands equals

Purpose : to determine if temperature affects the movement of a fish’s operculum and mouth.Things Required:Aquarium with goldfish (or other small fish)Large-mouthed jarFish netThermometerLarge bowlIceDirections:Fill the large-mouthed jar with water from the aquarium. Use the net to transfer a fish to the jar.Allow the fish 30 minutes to adjust to its new environment. Count and

The life-cycle of a fly can be an interesting subject to observe.Things Required:1 quart jar (1 litre)Nylon stockingrubber bandBanana Directions:Peel the banana and place the fruit inside the open jar. Leave the jar open and undisturbed for 3 to 5 days. Observe the jar daily. When 5 to 10 small fruit flies are seen inside

Making popcorn gives you a good idea of how heat bursts the starch wall. Puffed cereals are made in a similar way.Things Required:About 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels1/4 cup of vegetable oilA deep, heavy saucepan with a wooden handle and a cover Directions:Heat the pan on high heat for one or two minutes, and then

Let’s study the parts of a grasshopper in this experiment.Things Required:Insect netGrasshopper (instruction for catching below)Magnifying glassPlastic bag Directions:Use the insect net to catch a grasshopper. It would be easier if you find a dead grasshopper for this study, but if a dead grasshopper is not found catch a live one with the net and

In this simple and easy experiment, we will determine the temperature from a cricket’s chirp.Things Required:Watch with a second handCricket (may be purchased from a live bait store)JarNylon stockingrubber band Directions:Catch a cricket and place it in the jar. Stretch the stocking over the mouth of the jar and secure with the rubber band. Count

Flour is the finely ground meal of wheat or other cereal grains. But we can’t eat it raw. Things Required:1 tablespoonful of sugar1 tablespoonful of flour2 glasses half full of cold waterDirections:Stir the sugar into one of the glasses of cold water.Stir the flour into the other glass of cold water.This Is What Happens:The sugar

How does a spider evaluate the size of an intruder? Let us find out.Things Required:StringA partner Directions:Stretch the string between two stationary objects. A door knob and a table leg are good choices. At one end of the string, gently place the tips of your fingers on top of the string. Take your partner to

The intention of this experiment is to determine if spider webs have the same geometric design.Things Required:Enamel spray paint (any bright colour)HairsprayScissorsWhite construction paperDirections:The best time to find spider webs is in the early morning of a spring or summer day. Pick out several webs suitable for collecting and wait a few hours for the

Hot cereal feels good, especially on a cold morning. Does it matter whether you start it in cold or boiling water?Things Required:1½ cup of water2/3 cup of oatmeal2 small potsSalt (optional) Directions:Stir 1/3 cup of the oatmeal into a pot with ¾ cup of the water. Bring it to a boil, lower the flame, and