Analyzing+Population+Growth+Kit

Analyzing Population Growth Kit

Mark - Thus far the lab has proven to be pretty simple and straight forward. I think the students will enjoy the plating and agar experience. You may wish to take some time to speak to proper plating technique (of which I have none), but that may help with results and management... Hope the results prove to be good!

Alvin - Each of us plating differently, so it is difficult to compare petri dishes after the yeast has grown for a while. I thought that is was interesting that the lab didn't allow students to vary the amount of each type of treatment, only the treatment. My students would want to vary the amount of each nutrient given.

Deb- I think we went a few days too long. But it was a good experience and the kids would enjoy it immensely. It was rather unique. I haven't ever seen this process with yeast before. I agree that a good option to add might be to vary the amount of the nutrients. If nothing else, the process was good practise and interesting.

Ken - Interesting to see yeast used for this. I also like the variables involved. Be careful not to leave it for too long before analysis.

Julie- wish we could have discussed the results. Lots of detailed instructions but students will have a good time creating their plates. Wondering what you do with the yeast after three days. Do you graph the yeast?

Jim-This could be a worthwhile lab. It will be best to "read" the plates after about 2 days; if they grow too long they all end up looking about the same. It is difficult to decide how to quantify the amount of yeast growth. Maybe it would be better to just rank order the growth on a certain day among the different plates.