Cells and Microscopes - ScienceDemos.org

All Living Organisms Need Water

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Bread and dirt is put into two jars. One has water added to it and they are left. After some days mould grows only in the jar with water.

Diffusion Colour Wheel with Smarties/M&Ms

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Smarties or M&Ms are put in water in a petri dish. The colours diffuse into the water but don't mix, creating a wheel of colour.

Growing Bacteria on Agar Plates

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Agar in water is sterilised and put into petri dishes. A variety of surfaces are tested for bacteria by swabbing them and letting grow on the agar plates.

Growing Mould in a terrarium

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Foods such as bread, fruit, vegetables and cheese are put in a soda bottle with water, sealed and left. Mould grows after a few days.

Hair Analysis With a Microscope

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Hair is looked at under a microscope, and an unknown hair can be identified by comparing with known hair. Can also view animal hair.

Microbial Fuel Cell

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A fuel cell is made using pond sludge, aluminium mesh, a salt bridge and with air bubbled in from a fish tank bubbler.

Modelling the Electron Transport Chain

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Students are labelled as parts of the electron transport chain, and pass down 'electrons' and hydrogen ions.

Naked Egg

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An egg is soaked in vinegar for a few days to remove the shell, leaving a rubbery egg, held in by the membrane.

Naked Egg Osmosis

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A naked egg (made by soaking egg in vinegar for a few days) is left in water or salt water to demonstrate osmosis.

Oil and Water with Detergent

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Vegetable oil and water are put together in a jar and shown not to mix. Adding detergent and shaking causes them to partially mix.

Osmosis by Soaking Potatoes

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Pieces of potato are soaked in water or salt water and compared.

Osmosis with Potatoes

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The inside of potatoes are hollowed out, salt is added, and they are put in a tray of water. Water diffuses through the potato to dissolve the salt.