Bread Mould in Living with Non-Living – Class 6 Science Experiment

Chapter Name: Living with Non-Living

Activity Name: Bread Mould in Living with Non-Living

Activity Description:

Required Items:

1. Bread or vegetable samples
2. Microscope
3. Microscope slides and coverslips
4. Microscope slide mounting medium (optional)
5. Knife or scalpel
6. Container or petri dish to collect the mold
7. Paper towels or tissue paper

Step by Step Procedure:

1. Take a slice of bread or a piece of vegetable and place it in a container or petri dish.
2. Leave the container open or cover it partially to allow air circulation.
3. Keep the container in a warm and humid place, away from direct sunlight.
4. Observe the bread or vegetable sample daily for changes in appearance.
5. After a few days, you will notice the growth of mold on the surface of the sample.
6. Carefully collect a small portion of the mold using a knife or scalpel.
7. Place the collected mold on a microscope slide.
8. Gently cover the mold with a coverslip.
9. If desired, apply a small amount of microscope slide mounting medium to prevent dehydration of the mold sample.
10. Place the prepared slide under a microscope and observe the mold at different magnifications.
11. Take note of the structures seen under the microscope and make drawings to document your observations.
12. Discuss your findings with your friends and compare your observations.

Experiment Observations:

1. The bread or vegetable sample becomes rotten and emits a foul smell.
2. Thin, thread-like grey-colored substance (mold) starts growing on the surface.
3. Over time, the grey mold turns black.
4. When touching the mold, the black substance sticks to fingers.

Precautions:

1. Handle the mold and bread/vegetable samples with clean hands or wear gloves to prevent contamination.
2. Ensure proper hygiene during the experiment to avoid any health risks.
3. Dispose of the mold and spoiled samples properly to prevent further contamination.

Lesson Learnt from Experiment:

Through this experiment, we learn that mold is a living organism capable of growth and reproduction. It can develop on spoiled organic material and produce new mold. The presence of mold indicates the decay and spoilage of food items.

This experiment also highlights the importance of proper food storage and hygiene to prevent the growth of mold and maintain food freshness.