BIOEDUSCIENCE

Analysis of Factors Causing Learning Difficulties in High School Students on the Excretion System Material

Hilman Faruq — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Background: Learning difficulties related to the human excretory system remain a persistent challenge in high school biology education, particularly concerning abstract subtopics such as urine formation, nephron structures, and physiological mechanisms including filtration, reabsorption, and secretion. This study aims to identify internal and external factors that hinder student understanding of these concepts. Methods: A descriptive approach was employed, involving the distribution of structured questionnaires to 73 high school students. The instruments were designed to assess both cognitive and instructional aspects influencing learning barriers. Data analysis focused on patterns of student responses concerning content difficulty, teaching methods, and availability of learning resources. Results: The study revealed that 85.7% of students encountered substantial difficulty in understanding urine formation within the nephron. Additionally, 77.1% reported that monotonous, teacher-centered instruction contributed to their challenges, while 65.7% cited a lack of practical laboratory experiences. Cognitive issues such as low abstract reasoning ability, poor visualization skills, limited memory retention, and low motivation were identified as core barriers. Instructional deficiencies, including minimal use of multimedia and interactive strategies, further exacerbated learning difficulties. Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of integrating visual aids, interactive media, and experiential learning in biology instruction to improve conceptual understanding. Addressing both cognitive and instructional barriers is essential for enhancing learning outcomes in complex biological systems.

Formulation and Antibacterial Activity Test Liquid Soap with Eugenol Variant from Clove Leaf Oil (Eugenia aromaticum) Against Bacteria Staphylococcus aureus

Solikah Ana Estikomah, Adhinda Eugenia Azzahra , Yulisa, Anugrah Anugrah — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Background: The skin, as the largest organ of the body, hosts various types of bacteria. Excessive sebum production combined with bacterial infections can lead to skin issues such as irritation. Although chemical-based antiseptic soaps are effective, they may negatively impact both the environment and skin health. This has increased public interest in natural alternatives, such as cloves (Eugenia aromaticum), which contain eugenol an active compound with antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. This study aimed to formulate a clove leaf oil-based liquid soap with varying concentrations of clove leaf oil: F1 (0%), F2 (4%), F3 (6%), and F4 (8%), and to evaluate its physical properties and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: The disc diffusion method was employed to assess antibacterial activity. Results: The organoleptic test showed that the soap had a distinctive clove aroma, yellow color, and a liquid to thick homogeneous consistency. The pH values ranged from 8.97 to 9.14, foam stability ranged between 84.37% and 88.18%, viscosity ranged from 2510.72 to 6190.57 cP, and spreadability varied from 3.39 to 6.42 cm. Antibacterial testing revealed inhibition zones of 2.87 mm (F1), 7 mm (F2), 10 mm (F3), and 15.25 mm (F4), indicating increasing antibacterial activity with higher clove oil concentrations. Conclusions: The F2 formula was identified as the most balanced, with acceptable pH, optimal foam stability, moderate viscosity, and a 7 mm inhibition zone classified in the medium category. This study highlights the potential of clove leaf oil as a natural antibacterial agent in liquid soap formulations.

Zooremediation: Utilizing Animals for Environmental Purification and Pollution Mitigation

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Background: The global human population continues to grow rapidly, leading to increasing urban waste and environmental contamination. One emerging and promising approach to mitigating this pollution is zooremediation, which utilizes animals as biological agents for environmental cleanup. This review aims to critically assess the effectiveness of various animal species in removing specific classes of pollutants, with particular attention to their mechanisms of action—zooextraction, zootransformation, and zooaccumulation—and the environmental conditions under which they operate. Effectiveness is evaluated based on pollutant removal efficiency, adaptability to contaminated environments, and ecological safety. Methods: Through systematic literature analysis, we identified key species, including Geukensia demissa, Daphnia magna, and Anadara granosa, which demonstrated measurable success in the remediation of aquatic environments contaminated with heavy metals and organic pollutants. Additionally, soil-dwelling nematodes such as Caenorhabditis elegans and Cephalobus persegnis play critical roles in hydrocarbon degradation and in enhancing microbial synergy in polluted substrates. These findings highlight the diverse functional capacities of animals in bioremediation efforts. The methodology employed in this study is a comprehensive literature review, focusing on peer-reviewed articles published over the last two decades. Results: This review synthesizes findings related to pollutant types, animal species used in zooremediation, remediation outcomes, and ecological impacts. By critically examining existing studies, the evaluation identifies trends, gaps, and challenges in the application of zooremediation. Conclusion: Future research should focus on understanding the long-term impacts, optimizing protocols, and safeguarding both ecological and animal health to fully realize the potential of zooremediation in managing environmental pollution on a global scale.

The Influence of the Project-Based Learning Model on Student Learning Outcomes and Creativity in the Excretory System Material in High School

Anisa Putri Rahmadani, Lina Agustina — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Background: In the 21 st century, education is highly needed as something important to compete in the current global era with several skill components that students must possess, namely the 4Cs (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, and innovation). This research aims to investigate the implementation of the project-based learning (PjBL) model on student learning outcomes and creativity in the excretory system material in 11th-grade Senior High School. Methods: The type of this research is experimental research using a one group posttest only design. The sample for this research is class XI-3 with 32 students and class XI-4 with 31 students. The sampling was conducted using the population sampling technique or the sampling of the entire population. During the research, the data analysis technique used was descriptive statistical analysis. Results: The findings obtained from the research conducted indicate that the application of the project-based learning (PjBL) model on student creativity falls into the very creative category with an average score of 89.00, and for learning outcomes, it shows a significant difference with an average score of 76.09 obtained from the control class, while the experimental class obtained an average score of 90.32. Conclusions: The project-based learning (PjBL) model influences students learning outcomes and creativity because it can provide guidance for students to discover learning concepts, help students solve problems, and apply knowledge from everyday life as learning so that students can develop their abilities and the learning conducted is not monotonous.

Formulation and Inhibiting Activity of Paper Soap Yogurt Whey with Natural Dye of Hylocereus polyrhizus Skin Against Staphylococcus aureus

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Background: Yogurt is a product of fermented cheese liquid waste, which is known to contain lactoferrin, which functions as an antimicrobial. Whey-based yogurt has not been used as an ingredient in making paper soap. This study aims to determine the formula and evaluation of paper soap with the addition of whey yogurt with natural dyes from Hylocereus polyrhizus skin. Methods: This study is an experimental study. The preparation of liquid soap from whey yogurt with natural dyes from red dragon fruit skin (Hylocereus polyrhizus) was made into four whey yogurt formulas with concentrations of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Product quality includes organoleptic values, pH values, foam height, and alkali antibacterial activity test against Staphylococcus aureus using the Disk Disk method. Results: The results showed that all formulas of Paper soap whey yogurt with dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) skin dye showed good physicochemical characteristics, pH 9.0–11 (ASTM 9-11 requirements), foam content 41.7–52.5, and free alkali content 0.02–0.04. Paper soap whey yogurt formula with dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) skin dye produced an inhibitory power of 11.27–29.6, including the medium and strong categories. Conclusions: The best formula for Paper soap whey yogurt with dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) skin dye is soap with raw material whey yogurt of 75% whey 25% fresh cow's milk. The results of this study indicate that Paper soap whey yogurt with dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) skin dye has the potential as a natural antiseptic soap.

Analysis of Abundance, Length-Weight Relationship, and Condition Factors of Bulleye Snails (Turbo argyrostoma) on the Batam Coast

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Background: The oxeye snail (Turbo argyrostoma) is a marine gastropod commonly harvested by coastal communities for consumption. Intensive and unregulated harvesting may lead to population decline, raising concerns for ecosystem stability and resource sustainability. This activity directly reduces the population of T. argyrostoma in coastal waters. This study aims to determine the abundance and the correlation between the length-weight and condition factors of T. argyrostoma in the waters of Batam, Riau Islands. Method: This study was performed from September to October 2024. Sampling was conducted at three locations: Kajang Island, Piring Island, and Layang Island. The sampling method conducted was purposive sampling. Water quality measurements were carried out in situ. Abundance was determined based on the number of individuals per unit area. Morphometric data were collected by measuring the body dimensions of T. argyrostoma using digital callipers. Next, the length-weight relationship was analysed using linear regression to determine growth patterns. Results: The aquatic environment met the quality standards set by the Minister of Environment, as outlined in Decree No. 51/2004. The highest abundance of T. argyrostoma was observed at Kajang Island (1.37 ind/m²). Morphometric measurements showed mean shell length (SL) of 39 ± 4.83 mm, weight (W) of 21.3 ± 4.58 g, and shell width (SW) of 30.3 ± 3.25 mm in Layang Island samples. A positive length–weight relationship was identified at all stations (r = 0.73, 0.45, 0.78) with allometric growth coefficient (b) values indicating growth patterns. Condition factors (K and Wr) varied across locations: 6.766 and 70.340 at Piring Island; 6.518 and 103.984 at Kajang Island; and 6.229 and 101.037 at Layang Island, respectively. Conclusion: A positive length–weight relationship was observed at all sites, and variation in condition factors suggests differing ecological pressures. The low Wr value at Piring Island may indicate environmental stress or higher predation pressure.

Identification of Aphid Species (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Maize (Zea mays L.) in Lamongan District

Annida Nur Rifatus Sholikha, Dita Megasari, Wiwin Windriyanti — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Background: Aphids are a significant pest in cultivated plants. One crop that is susceptible to aphid infestation is corn. Aphids can cause damage to plants and become vectors of plant viruses. Information on the presence and species of aphids on corn plants in Lamongan Regency has never been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the species of aphids that attack corn plants in Lamongan Regency. Methods: This research was conducted from May 2024 to July 2024 in 9 maize fields in Lamongan Regency. The method used in this study was the survey method. Corn plants were randomly selected, and sampling was done once in each field. Samples obtained were identified at the Plant Pests and Diseases Laboratory of the UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur. Results: The aphids identified from 9 fields in Lamongan District consisted of 2 species belonging to the order Hemiptera family Aphididae subfamily Aphidinae and tribe Aphidini. Conclusions: 2 species of aphids were found in 9 corn fields, namely the species R. maidis and H. setariae. The population of R. maidis was found in greater numbers than that of H. setariae.