Biotechnology

This resource, from the Association for Science Education (ASE), provides two stimulating activities for students to explore protein electrophoresis: proteins in seeds and proteins in fish.

Proteins in seeds: A multicultural context - are there different proteins in different seeds such as lentils in dahl and wheat? A health context - are there proteins in particular seeds which may cause allergies?

Proteins in fish: A conservation context - cod is now a very rare fish, do fish fingers really contain cod? Is a crabstick really crab? (Most are soya) A health context - do crabsticks contain shellfish proteins, which some people are allergic to? A dietary context - what does our body use protein for?

Biotechnology is a high profile, contemporary area of science which students find interesting due to the impact it has on their everyday lives. ASE has collaborated with the National Centre for Biotechnology Education (NCBE) and Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) to provide a simple and inexpensive protein electrophoresis kit to compare proteins in different Key Stage Three contexts. Cost, perceived complexity and lack of relevance to Key Stage Three curriculum have been cited as reasons for the lack of practical biotechnology work at Key Stage Three.

This resource is designed to overcome these difficulties:
*cost of the resource for class use has been kept to a minimum
*electrophoresis is presented to younger students as a simple separating technique
*multicultural, health, conservation and dietary contexts appeal to students and are relevant to the Key Stage Three curriculum