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Biofuels and bioprospecting for beginners - Craig A. Kohn

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Let’s Begin…

Biofuels can provide energy without the reliance on environmentally harmful fossils fuels -- but scientists are still searching for a plentiful source. Craig A. Kohn demonstrates how cellulose, the naturally abundant tough walls of plant cells, might be the solution.


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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Craig A. Kohn
  • Director Hache Rodriguez
  • Artist Ivan Espinell
  • Narrator Craig A. Kohn
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Bioprospecting Classroom Activity
Video explanation of the lab protocol
Shorter video explaining how the activity connects to ongoing research
Clarification: The cellulose molecule (depicted at 1:57) is (C6H10O5)n.
3 Guided Discussions
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TED-Ed
Lesson Creator
New York, NY
Bioprospecting does not just apply to biofuels; this process is utilized by many different indust...
Think of at least one example of how bioprospecting is used by the following: medicine; agriculture; industrial applications.
05/13/2013 • 
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05/13/2013 • 
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Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Craig A. Kohn
  • Director Hache Rodriguez
  • Artist Ivan Espinell
  • Narrator Craig A. Kohn

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