LAB: a Study of Plant Hydroponics

Name: ______Number: ______

LAB: A Study of Plant Hydroponics

GPS Standards:

SCSh4. Students use tools and instruments for observing, measuring, and manipulating scientific equipment and materials.

SB3. Students will derive the relationship between single-celled and multi-celled organisms and the increasing complexity of systems.

Kingdom Plantae, plants, are multicellular, eukaryotic, autotrophic organisms. Plant cells, as are all cells, are surrounded by a cell membrane. However, outside a plant’s cell membrane a cell wall is found. A plant’s cell wall is constructed of cellulose.

Use your textbook to define/describe the following terms. Within the parentheses, write the page number or numbers where you found the information.

a. ( ) kingdom:

b. ( ) multicellular:

c. ( ) eukaryote(ic):

d. ( ) cell membrane:

e. ( ) cell wall:

Plants come in a great variety of form. For example, some have flowers (angiosperms), and some don’t, while some have roots, and some don’t. However, most of the common plants we know have the following: roots, stems, and leaves.

Use your textbook to define/describe the following terms. Within the parentheses, write the page number or numbers where you found the information.

f. ( ) root:

g. ( ) stem:

h. ( ) leaf:

i. ( ) flower:

In order to survive, except for a few micronutrients, plants need the following things: water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight.

The process by which plants convert the energy of sunlight into chemical energy is called photosynthesis. Photo- means light and –synthesis means to build. So, photosynthesis means to build with light. In plants, photosynthesis occurs in organelles called chloroplasts. Chloroplasts contain the green pigment called chlorophyll.

The word equation for photosynthesis is: In chloroplasts, the energy of sunlight is used to chemically combine carbon dioxide and water to form glucose (food) and oxygen gas. Ask Mr. Pastirik really nicely to help you with the balanced chemical equation. If you ask really nicely, and bring him gifts, he just might help you! Write the equation below…NEATLY and COMPLETELY!

In this lab, we will grow two types of plants hydroponically. No, plants do not “need” soil in which to grow. There are some advantages to growing in soil, but soil is not necessary. Hydroponics refers to growing in water. The two types of plants we will grow are corn and beans. One of these plants is a monocot (monocotyledon) and the other is a dicot (dicotyledon). From observation during the lab, you will classify each hydorponically grown seed as a monocot or a dicot.

Use your textbook to define/describe the following terms. Within the parentheses, write the page number or numbers where you found the information.

i. ( ) monocot:

j. ( ) dicot:

k. ( ) seed:

l. ( ) germination:

Lab: In this lab, you will construct a hydroponic growing vessel for corn and beans using a clear plastic cup and a paper towel. Follow Mr. Pastirik’s directions! Do not allow the plants to dry out. Keep the paper towel wet. Complete the table below as directed.

Corn / Bean
a. Number of seeds started: / ; Date: / ; Date:
b. Root or shoot at germination showing first?
Date of germination? / ; Date: / ; Date:
c. Number of cotyledons?
Classify monocot or dicot? / # ______; M or D?______ / # ______; M or D? ______
d. Date first true leaves appear?
Parallel venation or web-like venation? / Date: ______; P or W: ____ / Date: ______; P or W: ____
e. Date first root hairs appear? Not roots; root hairs! / Date: / Date:
f. Total germination? % germination? / Total: ______; %: ______ / Total: ______; %: ______
g. Evidence of phototropism?
Date? / ______; Date: ______ / ______; Date: ______
h. Measure the length of the largest living corn and bean plant’s stems in centimeters (cm). / ______cm; Date: ______ / ______cm; Date: ______
i. Repeat the stem measurement step above as directed. At the end of the lab, we will graph stem length v. time data. / ______cm; Date: ______ / ______cm; Date: ______
j. Continue: / ______cm; Date: ______ / ______cm; Date: ______
k.
Continue: / ______cm; Date: ______ / ______cm; Date: ______
l.
Continue: / ______cm; Date: ______ / ______cm; Date: ______
m.
Continue: / ______cm; Date: ______ / ______cm; Date: ______
n.
Continue: / ______cm; Date: ______ / ______cm; Date: ______
o.
Continue: / ______cm; Date: ______ / ______cm; Date: ______
p.
Continue: / ______cm; Date: ______ / ______cm; Date: ______
q.
Continue: / ______cm; Date: ______ / ______cm; Date: ______

Graph: (to be done on graph paper) What type of graph would best represent stem growth?

______Why? ______

What is the independent variable for this experiment? ______On which axis will it be represented?

______. What is the dependent variable? ______On which axis will it be represented? ______

Create a NEATLY drawn graph (on graph paper) representing the data collected during the experiment. Remember, graphs have straight lines drawn with a ruler, a title, a scale for each axis, and units for each axis.

In this portion of the lab, we will study vegetative propagation (using the non-flower/non-seed portion of the plant), or vegetative reproduction. Vegetative propagation means that the plant is “reproduced” asexually without seed or flower. In effect, the plants created are clones of the parent. Vegetative propagation occurs naturally (bulbs, rhizomes, and stolons), and by humans (artificial) by grafting, and cuttings. Vegetative propagation is great when the “environment”(both biotic and abiotic) is stable. It is quick, and effective when large numbers of the same are required. However, in an environment with changes, sexually reproduction (seed) is favored because sexual reproduction mixes the genes, and creates diversity. Therefore, at least some of the offspring will most likely survive.

In this lab, we will do a cutting of the plant ______. Note its color patterns. In addition to chlorophyll, what pigment type dominates? ______.

Cuttings usually involve leaves or stems placed in water or growing medium, and waiting for roots to appear. Then, the cutting is transplanted to soil. Answer the following about your cutting:
1. What part of the plant is being used as a cutting? ______

In a typical growing plant, what function does this plant part serve? ______
What will the roots do for the plant? ______
*What date was this plant cutting started? ______First roots? ______Transplanted? ______

Name: ______Number: ______

LAB: A Study of Plant Hydroponics

GPS Standards:

SCSh4. Students use tools and instruments for observing, measuring, and manipulating scientific equipment and materials.

SB3. Students will derive the relationship between single-celled and multi-celled organisms and the increasing complexity of systems.

Use your textbook to define/describe the following terms. Within the parentheses, write the page number or numbers where you found the information.

a. ( mp ) kingdom: the taxonomic classification level found below Domain, and above Phylum or Division (plants).

b. ( mp ) multicellular: an organism made of cells that are highly coordinated in action and purpose.

c. ( mp ) eukaryote(ic): a cell containing a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

d. ( mp ) cell membrane:the living exterior of a cell that regulates what enters and exits a cell.

e. ( mp ) cell wall: a non-living layer of a cell found outside of the cell membrane.

:Plants; cellulose, Fungi; chitin, and Bacteria; peptidoglycan.

Use your textbook to define/describe the following terms. Within the parentheses, write the page number or numbers where you found the information.

f. ( mp ) root: in plants, the organ that absorbs water and nutrients, anchors the plant, and stores food.

: Sometimes involved in reproduction.

g. ( mp ) stem: in plants, primarily involved with transporting nutrients and water. Made of veins (xylem – water up, and phloem – down)

h. ( mp ) leaf: in plants, primarily involved with photosynthesis.

i. ( mp ) flower: in plants, the organ responsible for reproduction.

In order to survive, except for a few micronutrients, plants need the following things: water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight.

Remember; water enters a plant through the roots, and carbon dioxide enters through the stoma (holes) found on the underside of the leaf. Photosynthesis requires sunlight and is done with the aid of the molecule chlorophyll.

6 CO2 + 6CO2 ----- C6H12O6 + 6O2

In this lab, we will grow two types of plants hydroponically. No, plants do not “need” soil in which to grow. There are some advantages to growing in soil, but soil is not necessary. Hydroponics refers to growing in water. The two types of plants we will grow are corn and beans. One of these plants is a monocot (monocotyledon) and the other is a dicot (dicotyledon). From observation during the lab, you will classify each hydorponically grown seed as a monocot or a dicot.

Use your textbook to define/describe the following terms. Within the parentheses, write the page number or numbers where you found the information.

i. ( mp ) monocot: short for monocotyledon; seed sprouts after germination with one seed or embryonic leaf.

: One can “ strip” monocot leaves (grass, palms, corn, etc.)

j. ( mp ) dicot: short for dicotyledon; seed sprouts after germination with two seed or embryonic leaves.

: One cannot “ strip” dicot leaves; they tear. (tomato, rose, oak, etc.)

k. ( mp ) seed: a seed embryo

l. ( mp ) germination: opening up of the seed because the seed coat is weakened.

: Usually the root emerges first followed by

sprouting(stem growth).