Science

Variation:

KS 3 (Units 7 d and 9 a) and KS 4 (Biology: Variation, GM Foods, Genetic Engineering)

The worksheet will look at where apples sit in the classification of plants and on the whole concentrate of the importance of the cultivation of varieties of apple.  Practical experiments are not included in this topic, but a number of questions are.

Learning Objectives:

• identify the need for different apple varieties and list desirable characteristics
• explain the process of pollination in apples
• explain mutation and selective breeding
• explain why variety trials are important
• describe recent research methods into variation

Yeast Fermentation:

(KS 3 & 4 Microbes and Biotechnology)

A fermentation worksheet including experimental work has been placed in the design and technology section. There is a simple experiment to test yeast fermentation and another to show the growth of a yeast population. The production of apple cider is discussed as well as the conversion into cider vinegar through a secondary fermentation process.

Learning Objectives:

• to identify the uses of yeast cultures in the food and drinks industry
• to demonstrate the growth of yeast cultures and identify the conditions why a yeast culture might stop growing
• to explain how carbon dioxide is released during the fermentation process and to produce a word equation for fermentation showing how alcohol (ethanol) is produced.

The Carbon Footprint of Apple Orcharding

(KS 4 Biology at Work: Intensive Food Production, Humans and the Environment)

This worksheet deals with the concept of Carbon Footprinting and its link to Greenhouse Gases and Global Warming. The carbon footprint of apple orcharding is calculated and discussed. How has the industry changed since industrialization? Why is more carbon dioxide emitted now during cider production than 150 years ago?

What is the Carbon Footprint of Cider?

(A level Chemistry of the Environment)

This article by Dr. Rebecca Roseff is found on the Apples and Pears Past home page. She deals with the Carbon Cycle, Fossil Fuels, the compositions of fuels, combustion, Carbon Dioxide and other Greenhouse Gases, and the carbon footprint of apple orcharding.

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