BIOLOGY PROJECTS
Below each project are my initial thoughts on what should be researched and
included in your research paper. As you gather your reference material you will likely
see that there are other important topics to include.
Remember to READ and LEARN about your topic first.
Then ORGANIZE your thoughts and ideas into paragraphs.
THEN WRITE your paper! Your paper must flow from idea to idea; it cannot just be a
collection of paragraphs.
Do not forget an introductory paragraph and the concluding paragraph.
CHECK THAT YOU ARE MEETING ALL THE RESEARCH PAPER REQUIREMENTS. (See
requirement doc.)
Analyzing Population Growth (yeast)
Before doing paper-You will need to select if you will be doing the lactose v. glucose experiment which has to
do with how fermentation is affected by available sugar OR if you will grow yeast and test the affect of light
intensity, nitrate, glucose, lactose, as a variable influencing population growth.
Fermentation:
Describe the characteristics of yeast. How is it classified? How does it reproduce? Where is it found?
What is its role in the natural world?
Define the term fermentation. What is used in fermentation and what is produced?
Why do yeast need to do this process called fermentation?
Yeast Growth:
Describe the characteristics of yeast. How is it classified? How does it reproduce? Where is it found?
What is its role in the natural world?
Explain 2 types of growth; logistic and exponential; discuss an example of each
How can yeast be cultured (grown) in a laboratory? What nutrients are required for yeast growth?
Why are they needed?
Discuss the particular variable you selected for your study.
Bacterial Investigative BioKit
Discuss the diversity of bacteria, reproduction, conditions for growth and growth rate
Specifically describe the characteristics of Bacillus cereus
Determine the difference between bacteria and fungi
Explain agar, the different types and their role in growing bacteria in a lab
Disinfectant Sensitivity BioKit
Before doing paper- Determine which disinfectants you will test. You must decide on 2 things that ARE NOT
included in the kit- but things that can be easily purchased and brought to school for testing.
You will need to purchase the products for testing at a local store.
You must determine your products before doing paper because you will need to know what is in the product;
that is the “active ingredient” for disinfecting.
Discuss the diversity of bacteria, reproduction, conditions for growth and growth rate
Describe gram staining and the difference between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria
Explain how (in general) disinfectants work and why they are used
Information about the ingredients in disinfectants that be tested by your experiment
Brine Shrimp- Effects of alcohol on development
State the classification of brine shrimp.
Describe the characteristics of brine shrimp; including reproduction, growth rate, life cycle
Where are brine shrimp found? What is their role in an ecosystem?
What do brine shrimp eat/require for survival?
Discuss the requirements needed to cultivate brine shrimp in a lab
Discuss effects of alcohol consumption on health of humans (at all ages)- particularly developing
embryo
Pill Bugs
State the classification of pill bugs & describe the diversity within this group.(including scientific name)
Describe the characteristics of pill bugs; including reproduction and growth rate
Where are pill bugs found? What is their role in an ecosystem?
What do pill bugs eat/require for survival?
Discuss the requirements needed to cultivate pill bugs in a lab
Information specific to what you will be testing
Lumbriculus variegates (Blackworms)
Studies of locomotion, regeneration, behavior, environment affects (acid rain, chemical toxicity)
You will need to bring in a gallon of spring water for use in your project. If you are testing acid rain or chemical
toxicity, you will also need to purchase whatever is needed at a local store.
State the classification of Lumbriculus variegates.
Describe the characteristics of Lumbriculus variegates; including reproduction and growth rate
Where are Lumbriculus variegates found? What is their role in an ecosystem?
What do Lumbriculus variegates eat/require for survival?
Discuss the requirements needed to cultivate Lumbriculus variegates in a lab.
Information on the particular characteristic you will be testingLocomotion
Regeneration
Behavior
Environmental Affects (acid rain- define acid rain, its cause and general affects (how will you
make acid rain?)
Chemical toxicity- what chemical will you choose and why? It must be one
that could be found in an environment that is polluted
Bess Beetles
State the classification of Bess Beetles & describe the diversity within this group.(including scientific
name)
Describe the characteristics of Bess Beetles; including reproduction and growth rate
Where are they found? What is their role in an ecosystem?
What do they eat/require for survival?
Discuss the requirements needed to cultivate Bess Beetles in a lab
Information specific to what you will be testing