| Explore | We are experimenting to discover how different wavelengths of light impact wildtype plants and mutated plants. We’re using the mutation of Phytochrome B at gene number AT2G18790. This mutation causes de-etiolation, which results in the plant being unable to perform shade avoidance. |
|---|---|
| Research Question | How do the wildtype and mutant of Phytochrome B differ in hypocotyl length and leaf area depending on the light source: close red, far red and white? |
| Predictions | If we place the mutation of Phytochrome B seeds; (with a mutation at the gene AT2G18790) in far red light and close red light, the hypocotyls will be shorter, leaf area larger in comparison to the wild type. If placed in white light, the mutated seeds will be similar in comparison to the wild type hypocotyls and leaf area. |
| Experimental Design | We have three different set ups. We have a far red light, a white light with red film, and a white light. The red lights are used to simulate shade and the white being light. In each of the three groups we have two different planting chambers. Each setup consists of two planting chambers: wildtype and mutant. In each of the separate chambers, there are 10 jiffy planting pods. In each pod there are our seeds. |
| Conclusion | Our experiment tested the effects different wavelengths of light have on the growth of Landsberg Erecta and mutation phy-5 in Phytochrome B. In Far Red Light: both the mutant and wild type were unable to grow as expected, and died. In Near Red Light phy-5 does not etiolate whereas Landsberg Erecta does. The p-values is smaller than our chosen significance level, so there is enough evidence at the .05 significance level to conclude that there is a statistically significant difference between the means. In white light: the Landsberg Erecta grew more, but there is not much difference. The p-value is larger than our chosen significance level, so there is not sufficient evidence to suggest that the means are not the same. However, this doesn’t matter as we predicted that there wouldn’t be much difference. Design Errors: While measuring, we exposed the red light plants to white light temporarily which could have altered our data. |
| Investigation Theme | BRASSICA |
| Grade Level | High School Students (Grades 9,10,11,12) |
| School Name | Glenbard East High School |
| Session | Fall 2018 |