Apologia Biology: Cells: Catalase Lab

This week the class has done the Catalase Lab both days.  The concept is important.  Catalase is an enzyme in peroxisome organelles in the cell.  Its job is to break down hydrogen peroxide, a type of waste in the cell.  Yeast produces catalase.  But, the reason I'm doing this lab is to practice lab skills: names of equipment, how to measure, weigh, read volume, controlled variable, hypothesis, graphing.etc.  The list is long.  The particular emphasis was on controlled variables: the amount of yeast, the water temperature, duration to soak discs in yeast solution, etc.  The kids did the same lab twice.  Today, I had four of the girls (who had nearly finished Tuesday) work with different groups to help get them on track.  I also switched two groups.  I think I have good partners now.  Now, after three hours of lab, most of the kids have data to graph.  Tuesday, we're going to review the graphs, answer the questions, and discuss the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning strategy for the lab.  Here are a few photos.