Dependent and Interdependent Variables

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Life Science Michael Garcia Virtual Lab #1 8/30/14 Dependent and Independent Variables Introduction The use of transgenic corn crops has increased over the years. This type of modified corn is in use because of its resistance to pests like the European Corn Borer (ECB). In this experiment, the effect of ECB infestation on corn crop yields will be examined. Two varieties of transgenic and two varieties of non-transgenic corn seeds will be used to see how well they weather the infestations. The independent variable for this lab is the ECB infestation, and the dependent variable will be the yield of corn. Knowing their designed resistance to infestation, the transgenic corn varieties will provide the greatest yields under any ECB infestation. Procedure 1. Select a type of seed variety to plant into the three pots for each of the two growth chambers. 2. After planting the seed variety, select the level of ECB infestation that will be introduced into each chamber. 3. Allow the seeds to grow for 140 days. 4. Open the chamber and harvest each ear of corn from the three pots. 5. Place the yield of kernels from each pot onto the weighing plate. 6. Take each plate to the balance and record the three weights from each chamber. 7. Follow the same steps for each of the four corn varieties for every ECB infestation level. 8. Calculate the average yield from the three pots of each seed variety under a particular infestation level. Record all the averages in the data table. Results and Analysis Results Table 1: Average Yield for each seed variety at no, low, and high infestation levels Seed Variety | Level of ECB Infestation | Pot 1 Yield | Pot 2Yield | Pot 3Yield | Average Yield | BT 123 | None | 160.1 | 164.8 | 164.2 | 163.0 | | Low | 164.0 | 162.6 |

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