Fermentation Lab Notes

Steps to Yeast Fermentation Lab (more detailed than you need to write up for Methods)

1. Prepare yeast mixture
-Bring bottom part of Vernier BioChamber 2000 over to the water bath
-Use the beaker to scoop out 300ml of warm water and add to BioChamber
-Using measuring spoons, add 1 scoop (1/4 tsp) of yeast and 2 scoops (1/2 tsp) of sugar to the BioChamber
-Mix well with plastic spoon, take back to your station, and secure the lid on

2. Prepare the Lab Quest for data collection
-Plug in charger to wall and to Lab Quest and press the power button to turn on
-Attach the O2 and CO2 probes to the plugs in the back of the Lab Quest
-Let them sit for a minute or two to warm up
-If the O2  probe is not registering around 20.9% or the CO2 is not between 300-400ppm, then call Mr H over for help calibrating the sensor probe
-Change the units for data collection by using the stylus to tap on the boxes for O2 and CO2, and clicking on “change units” and scrolling to “ppt”
-Next, click on the box marked “Length” and use the keypad to enter in a new time of 1500 sec (25 min).
-Now, gently but snugly fit the probes into the 2 holes at the top of the BioChamber.
-On the Lab Quest, scroll to the graph screen and press the play button on the lower left corner of the screen. Write down the starting values of each gas on the data chart you’ll construct.
-The instruments will collect data for 25 minutes, so you have this time to observe the experiment and work on filling out parts of your lab.

3. Data collection and clean-up
-Sketch both graphs on your lab handout in area for “Results,” including units and titles
-When finished, turn off Lab Quest and click on “Discard data,” unplug probes and return them to their boxes (O2 upright), dump out yeast mixture in sink and rinse out the container, and return to set-up