Mitosis Experimental Design
I. Problem
It is believed that temperature affects the rate of mitosis in plant cells. The goal of this experiment is to test if temperature makes a difference in plant growth.
II. Hypothesis
I believe that a hotter environment than normal will affect the rate of mitosis in plant cells, and if I am right, I will see the plant cells divide at a faster rate as measured by the growth. In a temperature colder than ideal, the plant cells will divide at a slower rate. As the temperature increases, the plants will grow at a faster rate as measured by the height of the plants over the course of fifteen days.
III. Variables
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IV. Experimental GroupsControl Group: A group of plants in a greenhouse with an ideal temperature, receiving the proper amount of water every day.
Experimental Groups:
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V. Experimental Procedure
- Place a group of plants in moist soil in a greenhouse with an ideal temperature for plant growth.
- Place a group of plants in an environment 15ºC warmer than the ideal temperature.
- Place a group of plants in an environment 15ºC colder than the ideal temperature.
- Water the three groups of plants with the same amount of water every day and keep the temperature in each group the same.
- Continue this process for fifteen days and record the changes in heights of the plants for each group.
VI. Material List
- Three groups of plants with two in each group.
- Greenhouse
- Soil
- Water
VII. Expected Results
I would expect to see the group of plants in the ideal temperature grow at a faster rate than the experimental groups, measured by the height of the plants. The group in the warmer environment would probably grow more than the plants in the colder environment because I believe that cells divide at a faster rate since temperature is an external regulator that directs cells to speed up or slow down the cell cycle. The sun, light, and heat are important growth factors that stimulate growth in plants. If the plants receive less, their growth rate will be slowed down.