Description
This Barf Bag Lab is going to have your students talking about cellular respiration all throughout the school! Not really “barf”, but the mixture of cereal, yeast, and water sure looks like it when the sandwich bag bursts open! This quick and easy lesson is perfect for life science or biology students learning about cellular respiration or fermentation.
This inquiry lab involves very little preparation. Students set up the lab by mixing cereal, yeast, and water and then monitor the expansion of the gas during the alcoholic fermentation process. By comparing class data on different cereals, students can identify the best source of sugar for the yeast. Data tables, graphing instructions, and discussion questions are all included.
You will not be disappointed by this unique and memorable lab!
This lab is also part of my Cellular Energy Unit from my Full-Year Biology Curriculum!
Vocabulary incorporated into this lab: alcoholic fermentation, glucose, carbon dioxide
Science skills incorporated into this lab: observations, measurement, finding an average, graphing multiple lines, manipulating variables
Teaching Biology this year? You may also be interested in some of these other resources:
- Full-Year Biology Curriculum– guided notes, slides, labs & activities, review, and assessments! Plus, save 20% with this bundle!
- Biology Extension Pages for critical thinking and data analysis
- Biology Doodle Notes Bundle– over 30 pages of creative summary & review!
- Human Body Diagrams- set of 13 diagrams & quizzes for all human body systems
- DNA & Protein Synthesis Game- practice using codons like words!
Or just use the navigation menu on the right-hand side of the store to see many other resource options!
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I value your feedback. Please rate this product.
Lynn White –
My students love this lab. I had done it in the past just based on a demonstration I saw at a workshop, but when I found this version with the data and analysis so clearly built in it deepened the learning. I actually use it as our transition between the respiratory system and digestive system and simultaneously review cellular respiration. It becomes a springboard for talking about the stages of physical and chemical digestion, nutrition (why we do in fact need carbs, sources of excess sugars) and the role of the gut microbiome.
Tanya W. –
The directions were easy to follow and it provided a good visual of cellular respiration. It was easier/less messy to set up than the lab I’ve used in the past. It also helped the students review scientific method.
Teresa J. –
My students love this lab. The name is perfect for “Halloween” and it’s engaging while still highlighting the products of ethanol fermentation.
Kyle T. –
This is a great hands on lab that allows students to see results in 1 class period. The varying levels of sugar affecting the CO2 produced is seen well. My students enjoy doing the lab!