Expert: Walter Hintz - 11/5/2010

Question
Hi, I am a college student at a health science school. This semester we were assigned to come up with a research question, hypothesis, and a research proposal by the end of the semester. The actual procedure, results, and discussion aren't due till next semester.

I am not trying to cheat but can you help me come up with a significant biology question? Something that is a hot topic, meaning that it hasn't been done before. I am looking to do something along the lines of bacteria cultures or maybe even tests with yeasts or E. Coli. My experiment can be on the bacteria itself or they can be used as a model to look for something more significant.

E.G of  questions by classmates:
1. Does the temperature of water given to a plant affect the growth of a plant. And how does it impact the choloplast
2. What types of bacteria are on dollars compared to those of a yen.
3. Does honey have antifungicidal properties.
4. Can bacteria get cancer?
5. How does caffeine affect the chloroplast of a plant and its growth.

Something that I have been thinking of lately Just to think of a question has been an overwhelming task for me. Many times how to start an assignment is the biggest difficulty for me. Anything that will help me come up with a question and then a hypothesis will be greatly appreciated.  

Answer
Hi Arif:
I think that a project in microbiology is a good one. I have worked as a bacteriologist and have taught micro in college. I assume that your college has resources for such a study.
I examined the suggested projects you listed.
  1.Not a good project. If the water is too hot it will destroy the roots. i.e. The plant tolerates the water or it doesn't
  2.There would be no difference in bacteria on money
  3. Honey has antimicrobial properties. But also harbors Clostridium spores (botulism) Clostridium is an anaerobe and the high sugar content keeps the bacteria in check. Presumably it also controls fungi. So the question may be already answered
  4.Bacteria are prokaryotes. They cannot get tumors
  5.The effects of caffeine on plant growth has been done even by elementary students. Not a college level project
 I am referring you to a source where you can find some topics to look over. Go there and then get back to me.

 Sciencebuddies.com
  Go to science projects, then microbiology
   There is an interesting project of food preservatives and the effects of garlic

  Us my email for any further contacts
waltjh@sbcglobal.net