| Explore | Plants are living creatures, very intriguing too. First off germination requires the right conditions, in this case that’s water and the proper nutrients needed for the seed to sprout. The seed is first planted in the ground, then once it finds the conditions best there will be a sprout coming out of the seed, This begins the germination process. So what is germination? Well, it's the beginning of the seeds development. Otherwise known as when the seed sprouts under the surface of the soil. The germination process is put to a stop when the seeds leaves sprout out of the soil. Once sprouted the roots will begin to spread out underneath the surface of the soil. The roots then help the plant gather nutrients it needs before its able to make its own. However the roots are still in use when the germination ends. The roots also gather water to help the plant it-self drink. It does so by collecting water and sending it up the plants stem. Supplying it to every part of the plant. However the plants leaves as well become more independent as they begin to make their own food. This process is otherwise known as photosynthesis. Plants perform this task by collecting the amount of sun and water needed. The plant then transforms this into energy all using the leaves, the leaves supply the plant with food and nutrients to help itself thrive. This process repeats as long as the plant lives, all of the plant has its purpose and has a reason to be there. Once the plant begins to die its either because of the necessary materials (Light, Water, ect) begins to run out, or an animal ate or killed it. |
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| Research Question | How will different types of water affect the germination rate of red corn seeds? ~Tap water, baking soda water, salt water, and sugar water |
| Predictions | If we give the kernels sugar water, then they will grow faster then the kernels with tap water, salt water, and baking soda water. |
| Experimental Design | 1. First, place 40 corn kernels in eight petri dishes with five kernels in each dish and a paper towel underneath them In two of the dishes, give each kernel one drop of tap water from the dropper 2. Then, mix ½ tbsp of sugar and 100ml of water in a cup and give each seed one drop of sugar water in two more petri dishes 3. Next, mix together ½ tbsp of salt and 100ml of water in a cup and pour the same amount of water on each kernel in two more dishes 4. Repeat step four, but instead mix together baking soda and water and pour in two more dishes 5. Each time you make a liquid, keep the extra water in the 6. Repeat steps 2-5 every other day and collect the length of the roots each day |
| Conclusion | Our groups’ results proved surprisingly. We predicted the seeds given sugar water would grow the fastest. However we were proven wrong with our end results, it turns out that the seeds given tap water grew the fastest! This is because of natural elements, the plants found other types of water overwhelming or unhealthy. For instance, when you put sugar in a plants water it can negatively affect their health. This is because of tiny organisms called micro-biomes. When the plant drinks the sugar water it can have to much in it. Too much sugar can lead to the development of these tiny organisms inside the plant. Unfortunately they can cause the plants death or stunt germination fatily. This is why only one of our sugar seeds germinated, and it was in fact quite miniature. Next, the baking soda. Baking soda can negatively affect plants growth. This is because it affects the health of the plant and makes it hard for the plant to drink its water. Which is a necessary element if the plant is to grow and thrive. Without water the plants can not grow, hence the reason none of our baking soda seeds germinated. Now our salt water seeds, the problem with giving a plant salt because its to dry for the plant. This can cause, the plant by drinking salt water, to be dehydrated. As when it is dehydrated the plant will be negatively affected. They may not even germinate, which is the real reason none of our salt watered seeds did. Lastly our tap water seeds, all ten of them germinated! This is because there’s absolutely no problem with natural elements found in nature. The tap water is purley normal for a seed, it travels through the veins easily and without problem. The added substances in all the other waters caused unnatural consequences to the plants health. However, as I said prior to this there was nothing added to the normal tap water. Therefore the tap water seeds germinated fastest and proved natural elements are most normal for a seed. If we were to do this project again, we would change the amount of baking soda given to the seeds. Seeing as we'd like to prevent mold on our paper towel. |