Investigating Plant Mineral Deficiencies

Question 1

Controlled variables: (4 things)

Answer 1

Volume of mineral solution, species of plant, size of container, amount of light recieved

Question 2

Equipment (5 things)

Answer 2

Mexican hat platelets/ geranium leaves, test tubes, test tube rack, different minerals solutions, aluminium foil

Question 3

Outcome expected:

Answer 3

The all nutrients plant will be heathy where as the others will all have some abnormalities

Question 4

Method: (6 steps)

Answer 4

1. Half fill a tube with all nutrients present solution
2. Cover the top with foil&push down on covering so there is a well
3. Gently push the stem/ roots through the hole into the solution below
4. Repeat with solutions lacking different minerals
5. Wrap all tubes in aluminium foil and place in the tube holder on a sunny window
6. Observe regularly

Question 5

Possible evaluations: (4things)

Answer 5

Ensuring accurate measure of solutions, no air bubbles caught in xylem of geranium, possible microorganism growth in nutrient solution, insufficient time to see an effect

Question 6

Independent and dependent variables?

Answer 6

Independent: minerals present
Dependent: physical characteristics of the plant