The effect of different substrates on cellular respiration in yeast: practical
I can investigate the effect of different substrates on cellular respiration in yeast by using a measuring cylinder to collect the gas produced.
The effect of different substrates on cellular respiration in yeast: practical
I can investigate the effect of different substrates on cellular respiration in yeast by using a measuring cylinder to collect the gas produced.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Living yeast cells immobilised in alginate beads will carry out cellular respiration and produce carbon dioxide gas.
- The gas can be collected and the volume of gas measured using an upturned measuring cylinder under water.
- Identifying independent and dependent variables, and variables to control to increase the validity of the results.
- How to read the volume of gas from the meniscus in the measuring cylinder after a set time.
- Collecting repeat measurements for each substrate, and collecting data for different substrates.
Keywords
Cellular respiration - An exothermic chemical process that transfers energy for life processes, using glucose as fuel.
Independent variable - The factor that we change in an experiment.
Dependent variable - The factor that we measure in an experiment.
Random error - Causes results to differ by different amounts due to a factor other than the independent variable (the factor we changed).
Systematic error - Causes measurements to differ from the true value by the same amount each time they are taken.
Common misconception
Pupils often read the volume of gas incorrectly as they do not measure it from the bottom of the meniscus of the water in the measuring cylinder.
This lesson contains a detailed explanation of how to correctly measure volumes from the meniscus, and why this is important.
To help you plan your year 11 combined science lesson on: The effect of different substrates on cellular respiration in yeast: practical, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 combined science lesson on: The effect of different substrates on cellular respiration in yeast: practical, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 combined science lessons from the Aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration unit, dive into the full secondary combined science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Conical flasks, glucose and two other carbohydrate substrates (e.g. sucrose and starch), yeast immobilised in alginate beads, bungs and delivery tubes, measuring cylinders, tank, water bath, timer.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Active site -
part of an enzyme to which a specific substrate can bind
Enzyme -
biological catalyst
Rate -
how much change occurs per unit of time
Lock and key -
a model used to explain the specificity of enzymes


Exit quiz
6 Questions





