Growing Bread Mold
To demonstrate that bread mold spores are present anywhere and everywhere
Theory & Background
Did you know that air around us has incredible properties? Bread Mold is a simple fungus which derives its food from a variety of materials such as grains, fruits, vegetables or flesh. Mold spores are tiny and usually remain suspended in air. As soon as it finds the right environment for it to grow, the spores transform into the living fungus.
Required Materials
- Piece of bread
- Re-sealable airtight plastic bag
- Dropper
- Cotton swab
- Milk carton
- Cotton swab
- Adhesive tape
- Water
- Disposable rubber hand gloves for protection
Estimated Time
Approximately 5 minutes to set up the experiment and 1-2 days to make the observations.
Step-By-Step Procedure
Collect dust from the ground on a cotton swab
Rub the soiled end on a slice of bread
Put 5 or 6 drops water on the bread slice
Put this bread slice in an airtight bag and seal it.
Place this sealed bag in an empty milk carton (preferably with milk remains in it) and seal the carton
Leave the set-up undisturbed for a day or two
Experiment Tips
- Ensure you wear hand gloves since Mold spores can cause allergies in some people. Wash your hands well every time you handle Bread Mold and try not to inhale the mold spores while you are handling the bread covered with the fungus.
Observation
After two days, when the sealed package is opened, the bread slice is covered with Bread Mold of various colors and textures.
Result & Conclusion
Spores develop into living fungus when it gets suitable conditions. The bread slice has adequate nutrition and moisture necessary for the Mold spores to germinate.