A2 biology coursework ideas

I have to think of an experiment to do for my A2 biology coursework. We've been given a sheet but none of the experiments really catch my eye, the teacher said if we want we can do our own aslong as it will get some good results.

I want to do something to do with micro biology as this is what i want to do at university. Has anyone got any suggestions for what to do?

Reply 1

marcusfox

Here's a list of some microbiology ideas. You will need to speak to your teacher as to whether any of these are appropriate/can be done with the resources available at your school. Also consider that you will not be able to get ideas from your classmates and discuss your progress if you are doing something dissimilar to them.

Factors affecting relative activity of immobilised enzymes..eg bead size or flow rate or temperature or substrate concentration or vessel shape (use one only!)
Comparing antibacterial action of (eg) Strepsils vs Fishermens Friends
Comparing antibacterial action of (eg) TCP vs Aspirin/disprin or similar
Which is the cheapst bug killer? Cost effectiveness comparison of antibacterials (eg those in the previous two suggestions.
Factors affecting the production of simple sugars through the malting of barley grains.
Factors maximising alcohol yield from (eg) fruit juices or grains or potato.. could use a single yeast strain OR more than one(but don't overdo it!).
Are there differences in water potential between fruit at different ripenesses? Or in potatoes as they sprout? (Many do between Feb-April)
Effect of fruit ripening on concentration of reducing sugars(a variation on the previous suggestion)This one is a very tricky one to carry out!
Effect of fruit ripening on the concentration of proteolytic enzyme in pineapples.(This digests gelatin)
Factors affecting tomato seed germination. Does washing, treatment/removal of testa affect it? (You'll need to research and suggest reasons!).
The rate of fermentation of various carbohydrate(e.g. lactose/glucose/starch/sugar etc. etc.) by yeast(or their growth). Could relate to several themes including respiration.
Effects of alcohol on yeast respiration
Effects of different alcohols on yeast respiration
Action of inhibitors on the activity of the enzyme succinic dehydrogenase obtained from plant tissue. Possible inhibitors include silver nitrate and malonic acid.
Effect of sodium chloride on amylase
Effects of temperature or pH on enzyme activity.Careful! Needs great refinement and originality to be at all worthwhile!!
Effects of calcium chloride on (different) milk clotting enzymes
Effects of substrate concentration on enzyme activity. Needs great care to be worthwhile!
Root tip squashes - but beware! You need to make these quantitative.
Effects of different pH solutions on membrane permeability
Effects of alcohols on membrane permeability
Effects of heat(cooking)/light(storage)/cold(freezing or refrigeration) on vitamin C content in named fruit(ie optimal conditions are...?)
Is vitamin C denaturation related to the cooking method (ie boiling, frying, baking). Why?

Marcus

Reply 2

MaryMoo

A few years back, someone at my school decided to grow bacteria cultures from samples around the school. The worst thing was, the sample with the most bacteria growth came from the handles of the cutlery in the dining hall! I knew there was a good reason to not eat in there :rolleyes:

Reply 3

Juhi_89

Hello,

My coursework is based on Pectinase and its effect on fruit juice production. Sounds all wel and good but im sooo confused whether or not i should:
(i) compare this between another enzyme such as amylase or...
(ii) compare between two variety of apples (Granny Smith and Garla) and then see which of the two apples gives a better clarity and why?
[[Confusions]]
Much appreciated if i could get your opinion....
Thnx

Reply 4

Alice A.

Could anyone explain why increasing amounts of calcium chloride help renin to clot milk more rapidly?

Reply 5

IAmTheSex

Comparing antibacterial action of (eg) Strepsils vs Fishermens Friends
how would this work??

Reply 6

Revd. Mike

IAmTheSex

Comparing antibacterial action of (eg) Strepsils vs Fishermens Friends
how would this work??

Grow a couple of cultures on agar, into which you've incorporated a small amount of solution of either product.

EDIT: Or if you want to be more fancy, try transfer plating.

Reply 7

Oladz

This thread has had 1195 views and spans more than a year with only 7 posts - incredible :biggrin:

Reply 8

Murray Hewitt

I have to do coursework on bacteria. Im looking for a relatively simple experiment which should give good results to use. Just researching it atm. Anyone have any suggestions whilst im at it?

Reply 9

7589200

Investigate the effect increasing concentrations of salt solution on the colour of water. Easy Marks. Mention spectrophotometer.

Reply 10

thecooliodudio

Revd. Mike

Grow a couple of cultures on agar, into which you've incorporated a small amount of solution of either product.

EDIT: Or if you want to be more fancy, try transfer plating.

what is transfer plating?

Reply 11

Revd. Mike

thecooliodudio

what is transfer plating?

This is a really old thread ><

But what I meant was actually replica plating: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replica_plating

Reply 12

wayne1957

Original post by Revd. Mike

Grow a couple of cultures on agar, into which you've incorporated a small amount of solution of either product.

EDIT: Or if you want to be more fancy, try transfer plating.