Plant Indoor Questions

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[pic] Plant responses – Phototropism EXPERIMENT Introduction When you place an indoor plant near a window, you soon become aware that the plant grows towards the light. To ensure its growth is symmetrical you would need to rotate the plant every few weeks. Plants are sensitive to light and have an internal system which allows them to move in synchronization with the sun and towards any light source. In this activity you will observe a plants’ response to light and investigate to which part of the visible spectrum the plant is most sensitive. Materials For Part A: 2 pots of mustard seedlings germinated in the dark; cardboard box For Part B: 5 pots of mustard seedlings germinated in the dark; 5 light-proof boxes; 4 colour filters – red, yellow, green and blued (can be coloured cellophane); 1 clear filter or clear cellophane; 5 pieces of stiff cardboard; lights; 1 protractor; 1 spectroscope and a chart with wavelengths of light. PART A: Initial observations 1. On a bench facing a window, set up a dish of seedlings which were germinated in the dark. Do not move the seedlings. 2. In a similar position, set up a second dish of seedlings but cover this dish with a cardboard box. 3. After 2-3 hours observe the response of the seedlings in both situations. Measure any bend in the seedlings from the vertical position with your protractor. Note the direction of any bending. 4. Record your results in a table PART B: Testing a hypothesis In this part of the experiment, the following hypothesis will be tested: ‘Different wavelengths of light have the same effect on a plant’s response to light. 1. Using a spectroscope, estimate the wavelength for the four coloured filters – red, blue, green and yellow. 2. Record your results in a table 3. Cut a rectangular section from one side of a light-proof box. Cover the opening with one of the

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