Assess the effect of adjacent pH on the germination of a mustard seed.

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Biology Coursework

Plan

In this project, I am trying to assess the effect of adjacent pH on the germination of a mustard seed.

 

To do this, I am attempting to measure the growth of the germinating seed over a period of 4 days.

In order to start the experiment, I will need the following apparatus: -

Here is a diagram of the proposed experiment:

Method

I am going to attempt to calculate the effects of adjacent pH on the germination of a mustard seed by first placing a piece of filter paper in a petri dish. I will then use a syringe to measure 8cc’s of buffer solution to place into the petri dish, thereby saturating the filter paper.

I will then place 20 seeds onto the paper at regular intervals, uniformly spaced.

After replacing the lid of the petri dish, I will move it to a windowsill exposed to light.

I will then leave the seeds to experience natural light patterns and temperature changes.

I will repeat the experiment, increasing the pH of the buffer solution from 3 to 8 with intervals of for each new set of petri dishes. I will also use pH 9.2 buffer, as it is available and would allow more results to draw my conclusion from.

As well as testing the effect of buffers, I am going to do an experiment using water as well.

Seeds need water, correct illumination, suitable temperatures and the presence of oxygen to grow. All of these factors have been taken into account, and have been made provision for in my plan:

pH is the changing variable in my experiment, and the seeds will receive natural lighting and room temperatures throughout the experiment. Oxygen will be constantly available as the petri dish lids are unsealed and will be removed daily to allow oxygen refreshment.

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To measure the effect of pH on germination, I will take percentages of seeds that have germinated (produced external shoots), and I will also take the average length of these growths.

It will be a fair test, as I will repeat each experiment three times, and will use the same amount of buffer for each. I will also use the same amount of seeds, and place them equally each time. I will also set them up at the same time, so the light patterns they receive will be the same. This is so any anomalous results that could ...

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