{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\*\generator Msftedit 5.41.15.1515;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\f0\fs36\tab\tab Research Journal\par \par \fs32 Nicole \par Botany\par 10-10-08\par \par \par \par \tab My name is Nicole and I\rquote m a senior at Marion High School. I believe that keeping a research journal would be beneficial because at any time during my project I can come back to my journal and figure out what I was thinking at what time. A research journal would also be beneficial so I can go back and read anything that I may have forgotten. \par \tab I am excited and hesitant at the same time to begin my project using mainly the internet and computers. While I\rquote ve done many projects using the computer, I\rquote ve never conducted an investigation this thoroughly. \par \par \par \par \par \par \par \par \par \par \par \par \par \par \par \par \par 10-21-08\par \par \par Seed Questions\par \par How are seeds able to survive rough conditions?\par \par How can seeds stay dormant for so long and then begin to grow?\par \par Why do some seeds take up to 14 days to sprout?\par \par 1. I want to know how resistant certain seeds are, that are able to survive the frost and other rough conditions. I think this question is significant because we would be able to find out which seeds can withstand extreme conditions of cold or heat, or if no seeds can germinate in that extreme of conditions. This question is also significant because you could find out which condition is best for which seeds to germinate in.\par \par \par 2. Dormant seeds interest me because I want to know how they can survive so long without being active. What are the built-in mechanisms that make a seed dormant? Why do seeds that are suppose to become active in the fall think it\rquote s the best time to germinate then? This question is significant because once we find out what makes seeds go dormant we can do the opposite and have them germinate best. This question is also interesting because it's almost like the seeds have a "thought process" when they become dormant and when they become active again.\par \par 3. I want to know how long it normally takes for seeds to sprout and if a seed takes more than 14 days to sprout if it is considered unusual. If seeds that take more than 14 days to sprout are they considered duds? Also what kind of seeds take less than 14 days? This question is significant in terms of genetic engineering. If a scientist were to cross-pollinate a seed that took 14 days to germinate and a seed that, lets say, took 27 days to germinate, would the new hybrid seed take less time to germinate than the other seeds? It would also be interesting to find out why certain seeds take less time to germinate than others and which conditions affect it.\par \par \par \par \par \par \par \par \b Research Question 11-4-08\par \par \par \par \b0 We chose to change our question to "does compactness effect the germination rate of Pea seeds". We found this question significant because we could study and find out which levels of compactness is best for pea seeds, then we would know how it is best to plant the seeds and which level they germinate best in.\fs28\par \fs32\par }