Inquiry Laboratory Activity: Investigating the Effects of Mobile Phone on Yeast Viability

Identifier:  imarina:9242177

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina9242177

Authors:  Borrull A; Valls C

Abstract:
Practical work as observation and experimentation are vital parts of science education. One way to accomplish this is by applying inquiry-based learning in laboratory activities. Inquiry enhances the development of scientific skills as well as the learning of the scientific concepts. In the present article, a laboratory activity was developed to evaluate the effect of ionizing waves emitted by different mobile phone types on viability of yeast cells. We got yeast cells as a cellular model, since yeast is a eukaryotic cell, as humans are, and many investigations are based on them. The procedure is simple and adaptable to school centers with low resources, using low-cost laboratory material. In the experimental part, we found a decrease in yeast cells ' viability exposed to radiations compared to control cells. Also, different viabilities were found depending on the phone trademark used. Further studies should be done in this line. ©ISSN:1304-6020