Fermentation Explained: How Organisms Make Energy Without Oxygen
Fermentation is one of the most surprising and exciting biological processes to teach in middle school science. It helps answer a powerful question: How do organisms make energy without oxygen? From muscle soreness after a sprint to baking fluffy bread, fermentation is both biologically essential and incredibly relatable.
In this article, we’ll explore how to teach the concept through real-life examples, NGSS-aligned classroom activities, and JoVE videos that break down anaerobic respiration and energy production without oxygen.
Start with JoVE’s Cellular Respiration and Fermentation to visually explain the energy conversion that happens without oxygen.
What Is Fermentation in Cells?
Fermentation is a process used by cells to produce energy without oxygen. It’s a type of anaerobic respiration, which contrasts with the more familiar aerobic (oxygen-based) pathway.
In humans, lactic acid fermentation happens during intense exercise when muscles can’t get enough oxygen. In yeast and some bacteria, alcoholic fermentation produces carbon dioxide and ethanol—this is what helps bread rise and fuels beverage production.
Both processes allow organisms to keep making ATP (energy), even in low-oxygen environments.
Why Fermentation Matters in Science Education
Fermentation connects several core middle school science themes:
- Energy transfer in cells
- The role of oxygen in metabolism
- Real-world examples students recognize (food, exercise, industry)
This topic supports NGSS standard MS-LS1-7, which focuses on “developing a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions” to release energy. It also reinforces systems thinking and supports middle school life science exploration.
Hands-On Classroom Activity – Yeast Fermentation Lab
Objective: Observe how yeast ferments sugar in the absence of oxygen and produces carbon dioxide.
Materials:
- Dry yeast
- Warm water
- Sugar
- Balloons
- Test tubes or small bottles
- Graduated cylinder
Steps:
- Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a container.
- Stretch a balloon over the top to trap gas.
- Observe the balloon inflating over time proof of fermentation!
- Have students measure and compare balloon size under different sugar concentrations.
Use JoVE’s Fermentation video to support instructions and visual understanding.
Connecting Fermentation to Student Life and Real-World Applications
Fermentation isn’t just a lab topic, it’s part of what students experience every day. From yogurt and kombucha to sourdough bread, fermented foods rely on microbial metabolism. During exercise, students feel muscle fatigue caused by lactic acid buildup, giving them a direct, physical link to the lesson.
To help students visualize how these processes occur at the cellular level, especially during intense activity or oxygen shortages, educators can incorporate visual tools.
Use JoVE’s Cellular Respiration to illustrate how cells switch between aerobic and anaerobic modes when oxygen runs low.
Conclusion – Teaching Fermentation Through Visual and Experimental Learning
Teaching fermentation through JoVE’s NGSS-aligned life science experiments on fermentation helps students visualize energy production in a relatable way. By connecting muscle function, food science, and microscopic biology, you build not only understanding—but curiosity.
With hands-on activities and high-quality science videos, middle school students can explore one of biology’s most fascinating survival tools: making energy without oxygen.
Book a Free Demo to access JoVE’s full middle school genetics collection.
Bring JoVE to your school starting at just $2 per student.
(Pricing based on 1,500 students. Explore funding options here.)
