BIOTECHNOLOGY

THE DOSE MAKES THE POISON: TESTING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF POLLUTION

Biological assays, or bioassays, are powerful tools that allow scientists to determine the effects of a given substance on living organism. In this inquiry-based lab students plan and perform a plant bioassay to determine the environmental Hazard of common point and non-point source pollutants. The results are analyzed using averages, standard deviations, and TC50 calculations, integrating STEM.

> Kit includes:
Radish seeds, plant growth medium, antifungal powder, pollutant solutions, cheese cloth, Petri dishes, transfer pipets, seriological pipet, conical tubes, microcentrifuge tubes and small loops.
> You need:
Watherbath, pipet pump, microwave or hot plate, 70% etanol, sterile wáter, bleach, automatic micropipet and tips, parafilm, string, rulers, growth light (optional) and analytical balance (optional).