Biology Through Inquiry
Legacy Notice: The following collection of experiments utilize older generation PASCO sensors and equipment. View the updated versions of these experiments »
The following is a complete list of lab activities from PASCO's Biology Through Inquiry Teacher Guide. You may preview and download individual student lab activities, view detailed information regarding what files are included, as well as AP/IB standards correlations and the recommended PASCO equipment.
Grade Level: High School
Subject: Biology
Student Collection Files
| PS 2870 Material and Equipment | 125.68 KB |
Activities
01) Enzyme Action (PASPORT sensors)
Use a PASPORT oxygen gas sensor to understand how optimal environmental conditions, such as temperature, play a key role in enzyme function. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
02) Organisms and pH (PASPORT sensors)
Use a PASPORT pH sensor to determine how effective various substances are at buffering large changes in pH. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
03) Membrane Permeability (PASPORT sensors)
Use a PASPORT pH sensor to explore the permeability of a cell-like membrane to hydrogen (H+) and hydroxide (OH–) ions. Observe that not all materials are able to pass through the membrane. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
04) Osmosis (PASPORT sensors)
Use a barometer/low pressure sensor to explore the concept of cell membranes and how water and other substances pass through a membrane through the process of osmosis. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
05) Plant Respiration and Photosynthesis (PASPORT sensors)
Use a carbon dioxide gas sensor to understand the comparative concentrations of CO₂ gas for a small plant in darkness and in bright light and what this says about photosynthesis and the CO₂ cycle. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
06) Respiration of Germinating Seeds (PASPORT sensors)
Use a carbon dioxide gas sensor to understand the comparative rates of CO₂ gas production for dry, dormant seeds; for wet, germinating seeds at room temperature; and for wet, cold, germinating seeds. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
07) The Role of Buffers in Biological Systems (PASPORT sensors)
Use a pH sensor to determine which solution is the best buffer. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
08) Acid Rain (PASPORT sensors)
Use a pH sensor to determine the effect of several gases that cause acid rain on the pH of water. Discuss the effect of changes in the pH of water on the environment. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
09) Cellular Respiration in Yeast (PASPORT sensors)
Use a PASPORT dissolved oxygen sensor to measure the dissolved oxygen concentration in yeast solutions in the presence and absence of sugar. Calculate the rate of oxygen consumption of yeast during aerobic cellular respiration at different temperatures. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
10) Energy Content of Food (PASPORT sensors)
Use a PASPORT temperature sensor to measure the change in temperature of water that is heated by burning samples of food and to compare the energy content of those samples. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
11) Exploring Microclimates (PASPORT sensors)
Use a PASPORT weather anemometer sensor and current local weather conditions to measure relevant weather conditions at different locations. Determine the impact that a location's environmental conditions have on the microclimate of a given area.
12) Exploring Microclimates through Temperature (PASPORT sensors)
Using a PASPORT temperature sensor, students explore local microclimates by measuring temperature data around the school.
13) Metabolism of Yeast (PASPORT sensors)
Use a PASPORT carbon dioxide gas sensor to measure the production of carbon dioxide gas by yeast in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Determine if high temperatures effect the respiration of yeast. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
14) Rate of Photosynthesis of an Aquatic Plant (PASPORT sensors)
Use a PASPORT dissolved oxygen sensor and PASPORT fast response temperature sensor in a photosynthesis tank to understand the amount of oxygen produced through photosynthesis in an aquatic plant in ambient light, bright light and darkness. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
15) Soil pH (PASPORT sensors)
Use a PASPORT pH sensor to understand what kinds of soil in the local community would support agricultural crops, based on pH level. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
16) Transpiration (PASPORT sensors)
Use a PASPORT barometer/low pressure sensor to explore the effects of environmental factors such as air movement on the rate of transpiration. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
17) Water and pH (PASPORT sensors)
Use PASPORT pH and conductivity sensors to analyze the differences in how water pH changes when “acid rain” is added. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
18) Water Purification (PASPORT sensors)
Use a PASPORT pH sensor to understand the effectiveness of various treatments for improving the quality of water. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
19) Weather in a Terrarium (PASPORT sensors)
Use a PASPORT weather anemometer sensor in the microclimate of a terrarium to understand changes in temperature, absolute and relative humidity, dew point, and barometric pressure. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
20) EKG and Factors that Affect the Heart (PASPORT sensors)
Use a PASPORT EKG sensor to measure and observe the electrical activity of the heart muscle. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
21) Exercise and Heart Rate (PASPORT sensors)
Use a PASPORT heart rate sensor to monitor the effect of physical exertion in relation to level of fitness. Determine the average heart rate before, during, and after exercise. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
22) Exercise and Respiration Rate (PASPORT sensors)
Use a PASPORT breath rate sensor to measure the resting respiration rates of individuals and determine whether exercise causes a change in respiration rate.
23) Muscle Fatigue (PASPORT sensors)
Use a force sensor to determine grip strength and compare muscle fatigue in hand muscles caused by isotonic (“same tension”) and isometric (“same length”) exercise. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
24) Regulation of Body Heat (PASPORT sensors)
Use 2 PASPORT fast response temperature sensors to understand the extent that external conditions, such as wearing gloves, cause changes in skin temperature.
25) Volume of Breath (PASPORT sensors)
Use a PASPORT spirometer to explore the pulmonary function test (PFT) and the volume of breath. Note: This investigation has been updated for Wireless sensors in the Essential Biology lab manual (product number EB-6331)
