Investigation into the strength of various plant fibres.

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Investigation into the strength of various plant fibres.

Aim:

 The experiment is being performed in order to determine the strength of various plant cell fibres.

Hypothesis:

        The xylem is surrounded by spirals and rings of lignin that provide strength to the cells. The sclerenchyma is also very tough and provides the plant with some strength. Both of these cells are found in the vascular bundle. This should make these cells the strongest in the stem of the plant. The other fibres that will be tested are less rigid and therefore should hold less weight, before snapping

Variables:

        Dependant Variable:

        The dependant variable is the factor that will be measured due to the outcome of the experiment. In this experiment, the dependant variable is the mass at which the fibres give way, when having masses hung off of them.

        Independent Variables:

        These are the factors that will be changed in order to measure the dependant variable. In this experiment there is only one independent variable; the type of fibre being used. I am predicting that the vascular bundle, which contains the lignified xylem and sclerenchyma, will be the strongest fibres. The other fibre being used is the general tissue. This contains no lignin and no supporting structures. This will cause it to be weak and should break at a much lower mass in comparison to the vascular bundle

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        Controlled Variables:

        These are the factors that could influence results but are not required in the experiment. They need to be controlled and maintained as best as possible, in order to achieve the most accurate results. The controlled variables in this experiment are:

  1. The length of the fibres being tested. Longer fibres will be capable of sustaining more weight as the load would be spread over a much larger area, as opposed to using a smaller length of fibre.
  2. The thickness of fibres used, same as above in which the area upon the weight is acting is spread ...

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