IBDP Biology Required Practical

Required
Practical 5
Mesocosms

Skill:
Setting up sealed mesocosms to try to establish sustainability.
 Mesocosms
IBDP Biology Required Practical

Required Practical 5
Skill:
Setting up sealed mesocosms to try to establish sustainability.

Key Terms
Mesocosm Controlled Experiment Nutrients
Sustainability Ecology Nutrient Cycling
Control Variables Ecosystems
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View the linked YouTube video or read the linked article on a Bottle Garden, a mesocosm
sealed in 1972.

Skill: Setting up a Sealed Mesocosm

Wikipedia provides a good definition of a mesocosm:
A mesocosm (meso- or 'medium' and -cosm 'world') is any outdoor experimental system
that examines the natural environment under controlled conditions. In this way mesocosm
studies provide a link between field surveys and highly controlled laboratory experiments.
Notes:
1. Follow the IB animal experimentation policy. Do not use animals in your mesocosm.
2. The mesocosm can be populated with plants or seeds. Consider using wildflower
seeds to populate your mesocosm as they are hardier.
3. It is possible to design a complete experiment using mesocosms, but this would
require the set-up of a minimum of 25 mesocosms to satisfy IB requirements for the
collection of sufficient data.
4. Setting up the mesocosm at the beginning of DP2 will mean that you can follow the
development of the mesocosm over the school year.
5. A large sealable glass container is ideal for setting up a mesocosm. Large mason jars
are available from Walmart. A large plastic soda bottle is a cheaper alternative.
6. Ensure that the mesocosms are near a window which provides sunlight.
7. Do not overwater the mesocosm as you set it up.
8. Do some research on the nutrient and water requirements of the plants added to
the mesocosm.

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 Mesocosms
IBDP Biology Required Practical

Materials
• Large mason jar or plastic bottle with • Charcoal
lid • Potting soil
• Pebbles • Seeds or small plants.

Procedure
1. Add a layer of pebbles on the bottom of the mason jar or bottle.
2. Add a thin layer of charcoal. (Consider adding a source of nutrients such as coffee
grounds, shredded newspaper or fertilizer).
3. Add a layer of potting soil (alternatively use soil from the school grounds).
4. Add seeds – use a variety of seeds. Alternatively add three or four small plants.
5. Add water – ensure that the soil is moist, but that the soil surface is not submerged in
water.
6. Seal the mesocosm (completely close the lid).
7. Place the mesocosm in a location with plentiful sunlight.
8. Record changes to the mesocosm each week. Consider taking photographs to create a
time lapse video of changes in the mesocosm over the academic year.
Alternatively, follow the detailed instructions in the linked article to make a Winogradsky
column, a microbial mesocosm. This linked video provides information on an alternative
method for making a Winogradsky column.

IB Biology Exam Practice:

See:

• November 2016: Higher Level Paper 1, Question 1 (c) [The question is also
suitable for SL students. It is worth using all parts of the question as practice
for data analysis style questions].
• May 2017 Time Zone 1: Higher Level Paper 3, Question 3 [The question is also
suitable for SL students.]
• May 2018 Time Zone 1: Standard Level Paper 3, Question 2
• November 2019: Higher Level Paper 3, Question 1 [The question is also
suitable for SL students]
All examination papers are available on Follett’s IB store.

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 Thank You!
Mesocosms
IBDP Biology Required Practical

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Mesocosms
IBDP Biology Required Practical

Topic 1: Cell Biology - Complete Topic BUNDLE IB Required Practicals:

Google Slides/PowerPoint Presentations:
• IB Biology Required Practical 1: Microscopes
• 1.1 Introduction to Cells (Free download) Plus Free and Magnification
Worksheet on Properties of Life.
• 1.2 Ultrastructure of Cells • IB Biology Required Practical 2: Osmolarity
• 1.3 Membrane Structure • IB Biology Required Practical 3: Enzymes
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• 1.5 Origin of Cells Chromatography
• 1.6 Cell Division (includes Cell Cycle and Mitosis Middle School/High School Brain Breaks
Worksheet)
Topic 2: Molecular Biology
With built-in randomizer spinner – easy/no prep
Brain Breaks/Energizers/Ice-Breakers
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• More coming soon!

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