Sciences PEI 1

Activity : Is that alive ?

In this activity, you will see if certain foods – uncooked and cooked beans, yoghurt, milk, yeast
and bread - contain living cells.

Work with a partner to answer the following questions :

1. What are some things we could look for in order to decide if these foods contain living
cells ?
2. What would we have to ‘give’ the foods if we want to see if they contain living cells ?
3. How might we set up an investigation in order to see if the foods contain living cells ?

You will be responsible for one mini-investigation, assigned to you at the beginning of class.
 Uncooked beans and cooked beans
 Yeast and bread
 Yoghurt and milk

Question : Do uncooked beans, cooked beans, yoghurt, milk, yeast, and bread contain living
cells ?
Hypothesis : If we put uncooked beans, cooked beans, yoghurt, milk, yeast, and bread into
different conditions that are appropriate for cells to live, then we find that

Before you start, write your predictions and identify the variables

contain / don’t contain living cells because

contain / don’t contain living cells because

Montessori International Bordeaux – Sciences MYP 1

Sciences PEI 1

The independent variable : The variable you manipulate or vary in an experiment

The independent variables are
The dependent variable : A dependent variable is the variable that changes as a result of the
independent variable.
The dependent variables are
The controlled variable : A variable that remains constant
The controlled variables are

Good work !
Now, read the materials to use (table 3.12) and equipment (table 3.13) – see attached document.

Highlight the materials and equipment needed for your mini investigation.

You may begin your experiment.

Follow the method for your mini-investigation

Remember to fill out the table of observations – given to you by your teacher

Montessori International Bordeaux – Sciences MYP 1