In this simple experiment we will see the effects of yeast on food decomposition.
Things Required:
Banana
2 plastic sandwich bags
Dry yeast measuring
Spoon -teaspoon (5 ml)
Marker
Directions:
Ask an adult to cut 2 slices from the banana. Place a slice of banana inside each plastic bag.
Sprinkle one-half of a spoon of yeast on one of the banana slices. Close both bags.
Mark the bag containing the yeast with a Y. Check each bag for one week. Which banana slice shows the most and fastest decomposition?
This Is What Happens:
The banana covered with yeast shows the most and fastest decomposition.
Science Behind It:
Yeast is one of 1,00,000 different kinds of organisms that make up the fungi group. They all are lacking chlorophyll and must depend on other organisms for food. The yeast feeds on the banana causing it to break into smaller parts. This breakdown is referred to as decay. Decomposers are an important part of our world because there is much dead
material that must be broken into smaller parts and reused by plants and animals. The fertilizer used on plants and gardens has many decomposers working in it to make the material usable by the plants.
