Mold Growth

What variables effect mold growth?

Select one of the variables listed above and design an experiment to see if that variable effects the growth of mold.  In the design identify the variable and describe how it will be changed or manipulated. Identify other variables that will not be changed (they will be controlled). 

Include a control for the variable that will be changed. A control is the same experiment set up exactly like the one where the variable(s) will change, but in the control the variable being manipulated is not changed.   For example if you wanted to find if water effected the growth of mold, then the control would not have any water. For example: take several pieces of bread the same size, from the same loaf, and put each into a plastic bag. One with no water, one with 3 drops of water, one with 6 drops of water, one with 9 drops of water, one with 12 drops of water, one with 15 drops of water, and so forth. Place all the bags in the same location to control the light and temperature.

When the results of the experiment are known it would be nice if the piece of bread without water (the control) didn't have any mold and the ones with water did. Then it would be evidence that water was necessary for mold to grow. It might also be possible to conclude something about the amount of water that is most beneficial for mold to grow or an optimum amount of water for mold growth.

The control is the reference object to compare results of the experiment.

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Dr. Robert Sweetland's Notes ©