Question

You have learned that plants need light and water for photosynthesis. Do you think seeds need these materials as well? In this experiment you will examine how water and light affect seed growth.

These materials are needed:

4 kernels of corn or beans
4 paper towels
4 test tubes or baby food jars
water
Procedure:
It will take several days to complete this investigation.

Set up the investigation as shown in the diagram below. Place the kernels flat against the glass. Keep the towels wet in the wet seed tubes for the whole experiment.img/groupim2.gif
Place one tube with water and one without in a completely dark place.
Place one tube with water and one without in a completely sunny place.
Record the changes every two days. Continue until the plants are above the growing containers by at least 10 centimeters.
While you are doing this investigation, you will have free time. During this time, prepare a report (at least 200 words long) on something about plants that interests you. Prepare an outline first, then write the report. Print this seed chart. Record in the chart changes you observe.
When you have completed the investigation, clean up and return all materials to their proper places.
Answer the following questions based on this investigation:

Which seeds grew the most, wet or dry?
Which seeds grew the most, those in the dark or sunlight?
What two things does this investigation show are necessary for plants to grow larger?
Were the plants in the sunlight or darkness the greenest?
Which had the most chlorophyll?
In what bodies does chlorophyll exist in plants?
What is the source of free energy for the leaf factory?
Look again at the leaf diagram in the lesson entitled "Photosynthesis System: Location".

What layer contains most of the chloroplasts?
Is this layer near the top or bottom of the leaf?
Why do you think God's leaf factory was created this way? (Hint: Remember this factory needs light energy to work.)

Answer 1

Based on the experiment, the seeds that grew the most were the wet seeds. The seeds that grew the most were those in sunlight. This investigation shows that water and light are necessary for plants to grow larger. The plants in sunlight were the greenest, and they had the most chlorophyll. Chlorophyll exists in the chloroplasts in the cells of leaves. The source of free energy for the leaf factory is sunlight.

The layer that contains most of the chloroplasts is the mesophyll layer. This layer is located near the top of the leaf. God's leaf factory was created this way because it needs light energy to work. By placing the layer with the most chloroplasts near the top of the leaf, the plant can maximize its exposure to sunlight, which is essential for photosynthesis. The leaf's design ensures that the plant can efficiently produce food for itself and survive in its environment.

Something that interests me about plants is their ability to communicate with each other. Plants can send chemical signals to each other to warn them of danger or to attract beneficial insects. This communication system helps plants defend themselves against predators and can increase their chances of survival. It is fascinating to think of plants as not only individuals but as members of a community that work together to thrive.