Q-teach Packages for Plant and Animal Biology Classes
Qubit Systems has developed a range of Q-teach packages tailored for teaching and hands-on learning animal, insect, plant, algae and aquatic biology. These teaching / learning kits facilitate the study of photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration in plants and respirometry in insects, small mammals and aquatic animals. Each Q-teach biology package is comprehensive and includes gas analysers, sensors, data interfaces, software and all accessories necessary for a successful hands-on laboratory teaching experience. Accompanied by operating and experimental manuals with detailed descriptions of suggested experiments (in English), these packages are easy to use, require minimal maintenance and are economically priced for equipping teaching laboratories with multiple systems. The following packages are available:
Plant Photosynthesis and Respiration Teaching Package
The Q-teach Plant CO2 Package (Q-teach-P) is designed for teaching the basics of photosynthesis and respiration in plants, using leaves in a flow-through chamber with adjustable light. This comprehensive package provides teachers, educators with all the necessary tools including an NDIR CO2 analyser, gas pump/flow monitor, rH/temperature sensor, leaf chamber, software calibrated LED light source for photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) output, six gas bags, data interface, software and experimental files detailing all experiments and calculations. All required accessories, operating and laboratory manuals are provided (in English); see bottom of page for potential German translations. Sample experiments include:
- Measurements and characterization of photosynthesis at different light intensities, incl. light versus dark (Respiration)
- Measurements of CO2 dependence of photosynthesis
- Sun versus shade-adapted plants or leaves
- C3 versus C4 plants
- Drought and Salt Stress Effects
| Components | Q-teach Photosynthesis | OPEN |
For a comprehensive collection of plant biology teaching tools, see e.g. Teaching Tools in Plant Biology, published by the American Society of Plant Biologists. The toolkit combines up-to-date, peer-reviewed, research-based content with flexible presentation components (in English) that can be integrated into any biology syllabus. The materials include a short essay introducing each topic, PowerPoint slides and suggested readings.
Animal Respirometry Teaching Packages
Package 1: CO2 - Insects to Fish
Q-teach Animal CO2 Package #1 (Q-teach-A1), designed to teach the basics of respirometry in small animals such as insects, lizards and amphibians housed in a flow chamber. Package 1 also accommodates the study of aquatic animals such as fish in a headspace aquatic chamber. This comprehensive teaching package provides educators with essential tools including an NDIR CO2 analyser (0-2000 ppm), a gas pump/flow monitor (1 L min-1), two flow-through animal chambers and an aquatic head-space chamber. The package also includes a temperature probe, gas bags, accessories, data interface, software and experimental files containing all necessary items to start experiments and calculations. Operating and laboratory manuals are conveniently provided on a USB drive. As an option, teachers can extend the package to include an O2 analyser (0-25%). Sample experiments include:
- Measurements of metabolic rate in different animals
- The effects of temperature on metabolic rate of ectotherms
- The effects of temperature and substrate availability on metabolic rate of yeast
| Components | Q-teach Animal CO2 Package #1 | OPEN |
Animal Respirometry Package 2: CO2 and O2 - Insects to Small Rodents
Q-teach Animal CO2 and O2 Package #2 (Q-teach-A2) is specifically designed for teaching the principles of respirometry on small but active animals, such as mammals and lizards, temporarily housed and unharmed in a flow-through chamber. This comprehensive package meets the needs of trainers by incorporating essential components: an NDIR CO2 analyser (3000 ppm), a galvanic cell O2 analyser (25%), a larger gas pump and flow monitor (2 L min-1), two spacious flow-through animal chambers capable of accommodating small mammals such as rats or mice, a temperature probe, two gas bags, a kit of accessories, a data interface, software and experimental files containing all the necessary experiments and calculations. The user and laboratory manuals are conveniently supplied on a USB drive. As well as providing detailed descriptions of three sample experiments, the laboratory manual is presented in an editable format, allowing teachers to easily add or modify information. The Operations Manual explains all the components in the kit and provides instructions on how to use them. Sample experiments include:
- Measurements of metabolic rate in different animals
- The effects of temperature on metabolic rate of animals
- The effects of diet on metabolic rate of animals
| Components | Q-teach Animal CO2 and O2 Package #2 | OPEN |
Deutsche Übersetzungen der Geräteanleitungen und Experimentieranleitungen
Damit Sie auch mit jüngeren SchülerInnen sofort mit den Experimenten im Biologieunterricht beginnen können, bieten wir auf Wunsch übersetzte deutsche Versionen der Geräteanleitungen und Experimentier-anleitungen an. Die Qubit Software ist derzeit leider nur auf Englisch verfügbar. Sprechen Sie mit uns über Ihre Anforderungen an die Qubit "Biology Teaching and Learning" Systeme.
For research, CO2 and O2 in the gas phase can be measured using the Q-S159 CO2 and O2 combi analyser, or diverse O2 Sensors and CO2 Analysers.
For larger, more active animals, the Q-RP2LP - High Range Animal Respiration Package provides research-grade respirometry data with a range of up to 10% CO2 + 100% O2.
To measure the CO2 and O2 exchange of smaller, less active animals incl. insects, consider the professional Low Range Respirometry Package - with CO2 / O2 measurement ranges of 0-2000 ppm / 0-25%.