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Balloon Bugs

This resource from Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute is a practical, classroom activity that allows the students to make a balloon model of a disease-causing bacterium. This illustrates its basic shape and structure. Students can choose from three bacteria species including:

1. Salmonella Typhimurium and Campylobacter jejuni which cause food poisoning.
2. Streptococcus pneumoniae which can cause a sore throat as well as pneumonia.

The activity provides a fun and hands-on way of learning about the shape and structure of bacteria as well as introducing the concept of bacteria as disease causing organisms. It is suitable for students of all abilities.

This activity is supported by a teachers’ presentation and presentation notes. It can also be used as a science week activity.

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Information on the permitted use of this resource is covered by the Category Three Content section in STEM Learning’s Terms and conditions.
Subject(s)Biology, Science
Age7-11, 11-14, 14-16, 16-19
Published2010 to 2019
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Direct URLhttps://www.stem.org.uk/rxx66

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Micro-organisms, POSTED BY Rachel Jackson