Olivia Benny Plant mineral deficiency CPAC
Aim: To investigate the effects on mineral deficiency on plant growth & appearance.
Content: Magnesium ions are used to synthesis chlorophyll molecules for photosynthesis; therefore, plant lacks the green colour since
chlorophyll has its role in giving the plant the green colour. The plant uses nitrate ions to build amino acids and proteins which are
responsible for growth and repair and so growth is reduced. The plant uses calcium ions to strengthen cells walls and develops the middle
lamella, this increases the cell wall strength. The plants also require potassium ions for protein synthesis and for the opening and closing of
stomata.
Variables:
Independent variable The independent variable in this experiment is the different
mineral solutions which the germinated mung beans will grow in,
there will be various test tubes with different solutions e.g.,
lacking nitrogen, lacking magnesium and lacking calcium. This is
important as we are investigating the effect of ion deficiency on
plant grown & appearance.
Dependent variable The dependent variable is the variable which is being measured
which is the height of the grown germinated mung beans as well
as differences in appearances of the plants e.g., could be done by
counting number of leaves or identifying colour problems with
the leaves or physical structure (curling).
Control variables - Volume of the mineral solutions used as a higher
volume may contain more minerals which can affect
the overall accuracy of results, therefore in this
experiment, same size test tubes have been used and
the solution is filled to the top.
- Same species of the plant is used, this is because
different species have different mineral quantities
which are required e.g., germinated mung beans
- Same size of plantlets used, which means roughly
same length plantlets are used for each solution this is
important to control as different sizes can require
different mineral quantities.
- Amount of light received needs to be controlled as
light is a factor that is involved in photosynthesis and
can affect the rate of grow, therefore to control this,
the test tube rack was placed on a sunny window sill
as well as using black paper to cover the test tube so
extra light cannot get in
- Another control variable is the same amount of time
growing, all test tubes are left for 2 weeks (same
amount of time) as time can affect the mineral uptake
of the plant, therefore affecting the overall accuracy of
results
Apparatus:
Apparatus Why is it used?
Solutions Different mineral solutions are used to investigate the effect of
mineral deficiency on plant growth and appearance, 6 different
solutions were used e.g., lacking nitrogen, lacking magnesium,
lacking calcium, lacking all nutrients, lacking no nutrients, lacking
potassium
pipette A pipette is used to add solutions into the test-tube with specific
volume as this is the control variable, the same volume of the
solution needs to be in each test-tube to obtain accurate results,
pipettes are also used to ensure no spillages occur which can
provide to be hazardous if slipped upon.
Black paper Black paper is used to control the amount of light that reaches
the solution, this needs to be controlled as this affects the growth
of the plant as light is a factor in photosynthesis and can affect
the photosynthetic rate.
Test-tube rack & test-tube The test tube rack is to place the test tubes in, and the test tubes
are used to carry the solutions of the minerals for the mung bean
to grow in.
Mung bean Mung bean is required as this germinated bean is what we will be
observing the growth of, the beans must be similar sizes and the
same species.
Aim: To investigate the effects on mineral deficiency on plant growth & appearance.
Content: Magnesium ions are used to synthesis chlorophyll molecules for photosynthesis; therefore, plant lacks the green colour since
chlorophyll has its role in giving the plant the green colour. The plant uses nitrate ions to build amino acids and proteins which are
responsible for growth and repair and so growth is reduced. The plant uses calcium ions to strengthen cells walls and develops the middle
lamella, this increases the cell wall strength. The plants also require potassium ions for protein synthesis and for the opening and closing of
stomata.
Variables:
Independent variable The independent variable in this experiment is the different
mineral solutions which the germinated mung beans will grow in,
there will be various test tubes with different solutions e.g.,
lacking nitrogen, lacking magnesium and lacking calcium. This is
important as we are investigating the effect of ion deficiency on
plant grown & appearance.
Dependent variable The dependent variable is the variable which is being measured
which is the height of the grown germinated mung beans as well
as differences in appearances of the plants e.g., could be done by
counting number of leaves or identifying colour problems with
the leaves or physical structure (curling).
Control variables - Volume of the mineral solutions used as a higher
volume may contain more minerals which can affect
the overall accuracy of results, therefore in this
experiment, same size test tubes have been used and
the solution is filled to the top.
- Same species of the plant is used, this is because
different species have different mineral quantities
which are required e.g., germinated mung beans
- Same size of plantlets used, which means roughly
same length plantlets are used for each solution this is
important to control as different sizes can require
different mineral quantities.
- Amount of light received needs to be controlled as
light is a factor that is involved in photosynthesis and
can affect the rate of grow, therefore to control this,
the test tube rack was placed on a sunny window sill
as well as using black paper to cover the test tube so
extra light cannot get in
- Another control variable is the same amount of time
growing, all test tubes are left for 2 weeks (same
amount of time) as time can affect the mineral uptake
of the plant, therefore affecting the overall accuracy of
results
Apparatus:
Apparatus Why is it used?
Solutions Different mineral solutions are used to investigate the effect of
mineral deficiency on plant growth and appearance, 6 different
solutions were used e.g., lacking nitrogen, lacking magnesium,
lacking calcium, lacking all nutrients, lacking no nutrients, lacking
potassium
pipette A pipette is used to add solutions into the test-tube with specific
volume as this is the control variable, the same volume of the
solution needs to be in each test-tube to obtain accurate results,
pipettes are also used to ensure no spillages occur which can
provide to be hazardous if slipped upon.
Black paper Black paper is used to control the amount of light that reaches
the solution, this needs to be controlled as this affects the growth
of the plant as light is a factor in photosynthesis and can affect
the photosynthetic rate.
Test-tube rack & test-tube The test tube rack is to place the test tubes in, and the test tubes
are used to carry the solutions of the minerals for the mung bean
to grow in.
Mung bean Mung bean is required as this germinated bean is what we will be
observing the growth of, the beans must be similar sizes and the
same species.
