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Home » Science Experiments for Kids » Biology » Making Bread – Respiration in action!

Making Bread – Respiration in action!

Modified: Feb 8, 2023 · Published: Nov 7, 2011 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 20 Comments

Making Bread -Respiration in action Science Sparks

Respiration is a fundamental biological process. It is the process by which energy is made so that all the chemical reactions can occur in your body.

Respiration is the reaction between glucose (from food) and oxygen in the air you breathe to produce carbon dioxide and water (waste products) and the all-important ENERGY!

We can see this process occurring when we make bread!

You’ll need

A mixing bowl

500g of strong white bread flour

2tsp of salt

Two sachets of yeast

40g of soft butter

300ml of tepid water

Olive oil

flour, salt, yeast and bowls for a bread making science activity

Respiration demonstration – bread making

1. Put the flour in the bowl along with the chopped-up butter.

2. Put the salt on one side of the bowl and the yeast on the other (otherwise, the salt will kill the yeast)

3. Mix and add the water slowly to bring together a rough dough

4. Put a tsp of olive oil onto the work surface and put your dough on top.

5. Start kneading together the dough so it is coated in the oil and becomes smooth and stretchy. This may take at least 5 minutes.

6. Clean out your mixing bowl and smear with oil

7. Place your dough into the bowl and cover it with a damp tea towel

8. After an hour, it should have doubled in size.

bread dough in a bowl

9. Tip the dough onto the work surface with some flour, knead out the air until smooth, and roll into your loaf shape.

10. Place on a lined baking tray and cover with the tea towel again to rise one more.

11. After another hour, it should have doubled in size.

12. Sprinkle on some flour and score in your pattern.

13. Place in the oven at 200 degrees with a roasting tin of water to make steam.

14. Cook for half an hour, and your bread is ready!

Why does bread dough rise?

Yeast is a living organism and needs to respire to make energy! As it respires, it produces carbon dioxide as a waste product. It is this gas that causes the bread dough to rise! Respiration in action!

Even if I say so myself, the bread is very yummy, so not only a bit of science but lunch too!

Last Updated on February 8, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

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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. TheBoyandMe

    November 07, 2011 at 3:55 pm

    I should, I want to, but I can’t be ar*ed! Now when I’ve got a breadmachine that does it far better!

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      November 09, 2011 at 6:05 pm

      Ha ha, but The Boy would love it! x

      Reply
  2. Brooke @let kids create

    November 08, 2011 at 1:54 pm

    Thanks for sharing the science behind this, I actually never knew all those details. I just knew there was a gas formed that made it rise, really interesting. Thanks for sharing on Monday Madness!

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      November 09, 2011 at 6:05 pm

      Thank you, I’m glad you liked it! x

      Reply
  3. Beth

    November 09, 2011 at 12:30 pm

    Very cool! I love making my own bread, but had never really though about all the science involved that I could & should share with my kids.
    I wanted to invite you to link up at TGIF Linky Party (http://livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com/search/label/Linkey%20Parties).
    Beth

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      November 09, 2011 at 7:11 pm

      Oh thank you…when is the link up? We would love too. x

      Reply
  4. maggy,red ted art

    November 09, 2011 at 5:36 pm

    Love how to take “every day things” and explain the science behind. Perfect!

    Thank you for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!!

    Maggy

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      November 09, 2011 at 7:12 pm

      That’s the whole point of Science Sparks, to show people that Science is in most things we do! Great hey?!

      Reply
  5. Little Wonders' Days

    November 13, 2011 at 1:15 pm

    This is fun and delicious science! I can’t wait to make bread again and use it as a science lesson. Little J and I used to make bread, almost weekly, because it is a fun way to build up hand strength as you knead the bread. (He had a fine motor delay.) I’d love for you to share at the AfterSchool Party.

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      November 13, 2011 at 9:11 pm

      So glad you liked it!

      Reply
  6. Art For Little Hands (@art4littlehands)

    November 13, 2011 at 10:29 pm

    So interesting. I need to go through all this with my kids next time we make bread. Thanks for the expertise. When we had cable we used to watch Alton Brown. There is so much science in food, baking, and cooking. It is so interesting. Thanks for linking up to Monday Madness! Hope to see you again tomorrow.

    Reply
  7. Mary

    November 15, 2011 at 3:32 am

    It looks delicious!

    Reply
  8. Ticia

    November 16, 2011 at 2:35 pm

    I need to make bread again. It’s been so long since I’ve done it.

    Thanks for linking up to Science Sunday!

    Reply
  9. Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas

    November 21, 2011 at 2:50 am

    very cool to explain the science behind ordinary things.

    Thanks for sharing on the sunday showcase

    Bern
    http://momto2poshlildivas.blogspot.com/search/label/Sunday%20Showcase

    Reply

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