Tag: Science

Egg Parachute Blog Post

Aim

In this experiment we were trying to figure out how long it takes for egg parachutes with designs to reach the ground. We were looking at the physics of air resistance and mass.

Method

First we thought about what our parachute should look like.

Then we got all the things we needed to make our parachute.

These things were:

* bag

* String

* Tape

* Cup

* Bubble Wrap

* Cotton

After we made our parachute we went outside. Dropped it.

We used a stop watch to time how long it took for the parachute to hit the ground.

Results

My egg was okay it did not break.

It took my egg 1.5 seconds to hit the ground.

Discussion

Some egg parachutes fell faster than others. This was because they were sizes, shapes and weights.. Also because of air resistance. The bigger parachutes made air resistance so they went slower. The heavier or smaller parachutes fell faster because the earth was pulling them down and there was not much air resistance.

There were two forces acting on the parachute. One was the earth pulling down. The other was air resistance pushing up. These forces were not equal when the parachute was going faster or slower while it was falling.

Conclusion

If I did this experiment again I would make my egg parachute bigger and lighter. This would make air resistance and slow down the egg more. Overall this experiment helped me understand how egg parachutes work and how forces affect things that are falling. I learned a lot, about egg parachutes and air resistance and mass.

🍓Strawberry DNA Extraction🍓

🍓 Strawberry DNA Extraction – A Simple Look Inside Life
🧪 Aim of This Experiment

The purpose of this experiment was to successfully extract DNA from a strawberry so that we could observe genetic material with our own eyes. DNA is usually microscopic, but strawberries are great for this experiment because:

They are octoploids (they have 8 copies of each chromosome), which means they have lots of DNA!

They are soft and can easily be mashed.

It is easy and safe to do in a school lab.

This experiment will help us realize that DNA is real, tangible material, not just something we learn about in school.

🔬 Method of DNA Extraction
🥣 Step 1: Mash the Strawberry

Put one strawberry in a zip-lock bag.

Take out the air and seal the bag.

Mash the strawberry gently for 2-3 minutes until it is a smooth paste.

Why?
Mashing the strawberry breaks open the cell walls and cell membranes, spilling out the contents.

🧂 Step 2: Add Extraction Solution

Pour the extraction solution (water, dish soap, and salt) into the mashed strawberry.

Mix gently for 1-2 minutes.

Why?

The dish soap breaks down the cell and nuclear membranes.

The salt helps to clump the DNA together by neutralizing its charge.

🧃 Step 3: Filter the Mixture

 

Pour the mixture through a coffee filter into a clear cup or beaker.

Let the liquid (filtrate) collect below.

Why?
Filtering the mixture removes solid parts like seeds and pulp, leaving the DNA in the liquid solution.

Step 4: Add Cold Alcohol

Slowly pour cold ethanol or isopropyl alcohol down the side of the cup.

Do not mix.

Look for a white, stringy substance forming between the layers.

Use a stick to spool the DNA.

Why?
DNA does not dissolve in cold alcohol, so it precipitates (comes out of solution) and appears as white strands.

💬 Discussion
✅ Two Things I Learnt From This Experiment

DNA is a physical substance.
Before this experiment, DNA appeared abstract. Observing it as a white, stringy material made it seem real and tangible.

Simple household items can uncover complex biology.
Household items such as dish soap and salt can break down cells and help isolate something as valuable as DNA.

🌍 Three Real-Life Applications of DNA Extraction

Forensic Science
DNA is extracted from blood, hair, or saliva to aid in crime-solving and the identification of suspects.

Medical Research
Physicians extract DNA to test for genetic disorders, inherited conditions, and certain cancers.

Agriculture and Food Science
Scientists extract DNA to:

Breeding disease-resistant crops

Identifying genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

Enhancing plant breeding programs

🧠 Conclusion

This experiment has proved that DNA is found in all living organisms and that it is possible to extract it using simple scientific methods. By bursting open cells and separating their contents, we can reveal the code of life that determines the properties of a strawberry – and all living things.

A strawberry, for example, is so small, yet it contains the code of life within it! 🍓

Year 9 Biology Term 2 Week 1

🌿 Welcome to Biology! — Exploring the World of Living Things 🌿

🧬 The Fascinating World of Classification

Have you ever wondered how scientists keep track of the millions of different organisms on Earth? That’s where biological classification comes in! Scientists group organisms based on their similarities and differences using a system called taxonomy. This helps us understand how living things are related and how they evolved.

The classification system follows this order:
🔍 Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species
It might seem like a lot, but think of it like sorting your clothes — by type, size, color — until each item is in its perfect spot!

🐾 What Is a Species?

A species is a group of organisms that can mate and have babies that can also grow up and reproduce. For example, all domestic dogs belong to the same species: Canis lupus familiaris.

🧪 What’s in a Name?

Scientists use binomial naming, which means “two names” — one for the genus and one for the species. For example:
Humans = Homo sapiens
Cats = Felis catus
This system avoids confusion, especially when common names vary across countries and languages.

🌍 Why Does Classification Matter?

  • Helps us understand relationships between organisms

  • Allows scientists to communicate clearly

  • Aids in the discovery of new species

  • Shows how life on Earth has evolved

📚 Fun Fact: There are five main kingdoms of life:

  • Bacteria (Monera)

  • Protists

  • Fungi

  • Plants

  • Animals

Each kingdom is super diverse and full of incredible life forms!

Here is one piece of work for Term 2 Week 1.’

Activity – blogs

DNA

Today we learnt about DNA (Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid).

We have 3 billion base pairs in our DNA.

We made a lolly DNA.

Here is a photo

1 lolly base= 2cm x 3 billion= 6 billion cm divided by 100,000= 60000 km of lolly. That is enough to go round the world 2 times.

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