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    Home » Early Years Science » Preschool Science » Blowing Up Balloons Respiration Style

    Blowing Up Balloons Respiration Style

    June 18, 2012 By Emma Vanstone 5 Comments

    We’ve talked about respiration before when we made bread and used yeast to make the dough rise. Blowing up a balloon with yeast is another very easy experiment to demonstrate respiration in action and is quicker than making bread if you are short of time.

    Blown up purple balloon with the bottom attached to a small jar containing yeast and water

    What is respiration?

    Respiration is a chemical reaction which occurs in animal and plant cells. It releases energy from glucose. Aerobic respiration needs oxygen, but anaerobic respiration doesn’t need oxygen. Anaerobic respiration produces less energy than aerobic respiration. It occurs in humans when not enough oxygen is reaching muscle cells ( for example during hard exercise ). Bacteria and other microorganisms can also use anaerobic respiration and yeast actually carry out an anaerobic process called fermentation.

    Respiration occurs in the mitochondria of cells. You can find out more about mitochondria by making a model of a cell.

    Blow up a balloon with yeast

    A balloon

    A small clear drinks bottle

    A packet of dried yeast

    Warm water

    1 teaspoon of sugar

    sugar, bottle, jug, yeast and balloon for a respiration activity

    Instructions

    1. Blow the balloon up a few times to give it some stretch. This just makes it easier for the experiment to work.

    2. Fill the small bottle about 3cm full of warm water.

    3. Add the yeast and swirl until dissolved and then add the 1 teaspoon of sugar.

    4. Place the balloon over the open top so that is seals it.

    5 Over the next half an hour watch what happens. (Obviously do other stuff and come back, it may be a little boring to actually watch it for half an hour!)

    Yeast and Respiration

    Yeast is a living organism. In order for it to survive it needs to make energy. In its dried form the yeast is dormant, but as soon as you provide it with warmth, water and sugar (its food) it ‘wakens’ and becomes active. The sugar (glucose) reacts with the oxygen from the bottle to make water, energy and carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a gas and this is what you see filling the balloon.

    Remember yeast can respire anaerobically too when there’s not enough oxygen for aerobic respiration.

    Fermentation

    Glucose -> ethanol and carbon dioxide + energy

    Aerobic Respiration Equation

    Glucose + Oxygen –> Carbon Dioxide + Water + energy

    Balloon that has been blown up with carbon dioxide yeast respiring

    The image is taken from Snackable Science which contains SEVENTY fun edible experiments and investigations!

    Contains affiliate links

    Last Updated on November 2, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

    « Why does Jelly Set?
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    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Actually Mummy...

      June 18, 2012 at 3:04 pm

      Oooh I like this one a lot! I am storing them all up for rainy days but I’ll get to this one quite quickly!

      Reply
    2. Shiloh

      June 18, 2012 at 6:32 pm

      What a cool project! Do the balloons float, then, like helium?

      Reply
    3. Erin @ Making Memories

      June 21, 2012 at 3:21 am

      That’s so cool! We love everything science! My kids will love this!

      Reply
    4. maggy, red ted art

      June 25, 2012 at 8:14 pm

      Brilliant experiment!!!! The kids will love it!

      Thanks for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!

      Maggy & Alissa

      Reply
    5. marvie guinto

      March 31, 2013 at 9:18 am

      all the experiments simple and kids could easily understand the concepts behind it.

      Reply

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