Decomposers

Question 1:  What happens to dead organisms?

If you already know what happens to dead organisms, try question 2.

Question 2:  What effects the rate of decomposition? (Will the amount of moisture effect decomposition of dead organisms?)

Equipment:  burial vial, dead organisms, sand or dirt and water.

Procedure:  Take the burial vial (preferably one you can see through) and place the dead organism into the vial with the sand or dirt.  If you are answering question 2 then you will have to vary the amounts of water and use more than one burial vial.  Set the vials aside and record what happens for the next four or five weeks.

**** WARNING do not breathe the gases in the vials they may be HARMFUL****

Results

Conclusions:

Question:  What causes the brown or black spots on fruit that most people call bruises?

Equipment:  fresh fruit, yeast, sealed containers, and a knife.

Procedure:  Before you open the yeast cut the fruit into small pieces (2-3 cm).  If there are any brown or black spots on the fruit cut them off and discard them.  Then place ½ into the clean containers, seal them, label them and set them aside.  Take the other half of the fruit and sprinkle yeast onto them into the other containers.  Label them and set them with the first group.  Look at them for the next 4-6 days and record the data below.

Results:

Which changed the most?

What caused the change?

Did some change without the yeast?

If so what do you think caused them?

What variable do you think would effect the yeast’s growth?

What did the yeast use for energy?

Where would yeast fit on the community chart?

What good is yeast?

Conclusions:

Dr. Robert Sweetland's Notes ©