| Explore | I have learned that all cells do not all absorb water at the same rate. Cells can be easily dehydrated or become hypotonic. Celery takes in water through its innermost cells, and transferrs it to the leaves. Water always moves from a high concentration to a low concentration to balance the amount of water inside and outside of the cells. |
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| Research Question | How does temperature affect how much ½ stalk of celery curls? We used our prior knowledge from the previous lab, which showed that salt can help change the shape of celery to help us form the question of how can the celery with salt water change shape with different temperatures. |
| Predictions | We predict that the celery in the warmer climate will be curlier. |
| Experimental Design | 2 clear drinking glasses 16 oz tap water 1 7.5cm stalk of celery (cut in half vertically) 120mL salt 15mL measuring spoon 1 knife to cut celery 1 plate to cut celery on 1 thermometer 1 Spoon 1 metric ruler Control Variable: Amount of salt in water, amount of water used. Independent Variable: Temperature Dependent Variable: How much celery curls. Wash stalk of celery Measure and cut celery stalk, then cut in half vertically Measure 8 oz of tap water into each clear drinking glass Measure 60mL of salt into each cup of water Take beginning temperature of salt water Submerge each piece of celery into one of the cups Place one cup in refrigerator for 24 hours Place other cup on countertop for 24 hours After 24 hours record temperature of different cups of water Record if the celery curled and how much Repeat two more times for a total of three trials. |
| Conclusion | How does temperature effect how much half a stalk of celery curls? The colder the climate of the celery, the curlier it will be. The celery that was in the refrigerator was ¼ cm to ½ cm shorter (curlier) than the celery that was on the countertop.The colder climate made the celery more dehydrated along with the salt at a faster rate than the celery at room temperature. The refrigerator served as a catalyst in this lab, which caused the celery in a colder climate to curl more. A quantitative error could have been the different temperatures in the different lab refrigerators, and the difference in room temperature. Another quantitative error could have been the difference in thermometers, to accurately measure the temperatures. The last quantitative error could have been the difference in width of the celery stalks. A qualitative error could have been the size difference in the different lab cups. Another qualitative error could have been the type of salt and source of water. |
| Investigation Theme | CEL |
| Grade Level | High School Students (Grades 9,10,11,12) |
| School Name | Ottawa Township High School |
| Session | Fall 2020 |