TALENT DEVELOPMENT CENTREIndian Institute of Science Kudapura CampusChallakere, Chitradurga Dist.-577536, Karnataka

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION

Indian Institute of Science Kudapura CampusUnder - Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National

Mission on Teachers and Training (PMMMNMTT), MHRD, Govt. of India

Biology

Experiments

Biology

Experiments

High SchoolHigh School

Preface

S. Aravinda S. Shishupala

Children enter 8th class in high schools after receiving seven years of education in primary schools. For them, it is a new school, new location, new teachers with new excitement and more expectations. Many methods are introduced in primary schools for them to learn science based on the examples from environment they live in. The curriculum includes – NALI-KALI (Enjoy and Learn) up to 4th standard and learns through ACTIVITY in 5, 6 and 7 classes. It is in the high schools where the children start studying science. Soon, the science subjects develop into mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology.

NCERT is a nodal agency which is bringing out text books up to 12th classes in India. Karnataka State has adopted NCERT level books. In high schools, there is nothing like syllabus. Text books are the guides for the teacher. However, the text book contains only the basic topics a student must know. But the teacher has enough freedom to go beyond the books to make the students excited.

Excitement in science is experienced by doing experiments and observations. NALI- KALI or ACITVITY in schools has proved this point. A wave produced by dropping a small stone in still water excites children. It is the teacher who can excite the students by showing an experiment. But the teacher must be excited first. Science text book contains a large number of small experiments. As a first step, in each period, if a teacher showed one small experiment, learning science will become very exciting and also easier. We in Talent Development Centre, have designed a large number of experiments required to understand the science subject. These experiments are done in the class room on the teacher's table. Teachers attending the IN-HOUSE training for 10 days do these experiments and learn how to teach science with the help of experiments and demonstrations.

We in TDC conceived the idea of designing experiments to understand the concepts in biology included in their text books. Biology subject in the present text books is quite advanced. DNA, RNA, Proteins, cells, cell division, chromosomes, fungus, bacterial growth, genetic engineering (golden rice, BT cotton, Dolly) are all described in their text books. We have created experiments to grow fungi, bacteria, isolation of DNA by gel electrophorasis, protein separation, staining of bacteria and antibiotic sensitivity, Cell division, mitosis, meiosis, blood grouping, pollen germination are some of the experiments the teachers are doing during the training program. The experiments cover most part of biology in the 8, 9 and 10 class science books. As it stands, teachers have not done most of these experiments in their career. Teachers are truly excited doing the experiments included in the manual. Now that the teachers are taught, they should be able to show it to their students if they have facilities. Most of the facilities are made available to the schools by RMSA. If these experiments become activities, our high school science education will be of higher standard. It is hoped that the teachers will take interest to show the experiments they have done here in TDC and improve the standard of high school science education.

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Biology Experiments

Page 1

CONTENTS Sl. No. Experiment Page

No.

Safety measures in microbiology laboratory 3

1 Study of Microbiological tools 4

2 Study of compound microscope 5

3 Microbiological sterilization methods 6

4 Preparation of culture media 9

5 Isolation of microorganisms from natural sources 10

6 Culturing of bacteria in liquid and solid media 11

7 Study of colony characteristics of bacteria 12

8 Bacterial catalase test 13

9 KOH solubility test for bacteria 14

10 Preparation of bacterial smears 14

11 Simple staining 15

12 Gram’s staining 16

13 Negative staining 17

14 Bacterial motility- Hanging drop technique 18

15 Isolation of seed borne fungi by blotter method 20

16 Microscopic observations of fungi by tease mount preparation 21

17 Examination of pond water 22

18 Study of Cyanobacteria/Algae 23

19 Study of Fungi 23

20 Study of Lichens 25

Biology Experiments

Page 2

21 Study of Protozoa 25

22 Effectiveness of hand scrubbing on microbial load 25

23 Blood group determination 26

24 Ammonification in soil 28

25

Rapid quality testing of milk

a) Organoleptic tests

b) Clot on boiling test

c) Alcohol test

d) Turbidity test

29

26 Antibiotic sensitivity test 31

27 Study of plant diseases 32

28 Study of cell division in plants 32

29 Study of pollen germination 33

30 Study of monocot and dicot plants (stem and roots) 34

31 Differential WBC count 35

32 Qualitative test for carbohydrate, protein and lipid 35

33 Isolation of DNA from coconut endosperm / pea/ onion 37

34 DNA fingerprinting / Agarose gel electrophoresis 38

35 Detection of sugar in urine 40

36 Effect of sun light on chlorophyll synthesis and auxin synthesis 40

37 Morphology of Spirulina, Azolla, Anabaena 40

38 Cork screw grass seeds - mechanism of propagation 40

39 Yeast fermentation 40

40 Food preservation- natural and chemical preservatives. 40