10/06/2026
Defining Life Through Evidence
Biology students conducted a three-part investigation into the characteristics of life, using experimental observations to distinguish living organisms from nonliving.
Cellular Respiration: Students investigated yeast metabolism by combining yeast with sugar and monitoring CO₂ production through balloon inflation. The investigation provided observable evidence of cellular respiration and metabolic activity.
Growth & Reproduction: Students inoculated nutrient agar with yeast and incubated their cultures, monitoring cellular growth and reproduction over time. This investigation demonstrated that living organisms can increase in biomass and produce new cells.
🔎 Living vs. Nonliving: At analytical stations, students evaluated a variety of specimens and objects, applying biological criteria: including cellular organization, metabolism, homeostasis, growth and development, reproduction, response to stimuli, and adaptation—to classify each as living (dead), or nonliving.
Students used experimental evidence, observation, and scientific reasoning to define what it means to be alive.