Suitable For
Grade 4
Difficulty
2
Time Required
<2 Weeks
Supervision
Required
What’s it about?
Spoiled or damaged fruit gives off a gas that causes other fruits near it to ripen faster. This is also where the expression one bad apple ruins the whole barrel comes from. Test if this phenomenon is true with the following science experiment:
Topics covered
Ethylene, Hormone, Climacteric fruit
What will I need?
- ZIPLOC BAGS
- FORK
- 2x BANANAS
- 2x TOMATOES
- 2x APPLES
Procedure (Method)
Unfortunately, this section is only available in the e-book version of the project.
How does it work?
Unfortunately, this section is only available in the e-book version of the project.
This science experiment works because fruit that is ripe gives off a chemical called ‘ethylene’ gas, and is the same across different types of fruit. ‘Ethylene’ gas causes many types of fruits to ripen faster because ethylene gas is a type of ‘hormone’. Hormones, as they do in humans, cause growth. Thus, ethylene does not cause a fruit to spoil but rather to ‘ripen’ faster. Spoiling of a fruit occurs at the end of the ripening process.
Like the sound of it?
Why not check out the full worksheet in one of our popular e-books?
This particular science project can be found in any of the following Experiland e-books:
Experiland e-books contain detailed steps, including illustrations, to complete the science projects from start to finish.
