Student Material: Activity 2-1

What's Wrong with the Plants?

Name________________

Activity 2: What is causing the plants to appear unhealthy?

Introduction

You have just completed thorough observations using various techniques in an effort to determine what is causing the symptoms of the unhealthy plant. Do you have any ideas about what is actually affecting the plant? In this portion of the investigation, you will have the opportunity to experiment to find out.

Purpose

To create alternative hypotheses to what is causing the symptoms on the unhealthy plant.
To design and conduct controlled experiments to attempt to determine the cause of the unhealthy plant.

Materials

seedling plants
water
potting soil
plant pots
grow light
**anything else you need

Procedure

1. Together as a team, use your data and list 3 different hypotheses regarding what is causing the plants to appear unhealthy. Write on spaces below. Be prepared to discuss your hypotheses in a class discussion.

A._______________________________________________________________________

B._______________________________________________________________________

C._______________________________________________________________________

2. Design an experiment that will test one hypothesis. Write a description of your experimental design and list the materials you will need to perform your experiment. Be prepared to discuss your ideas in a class discussion.

You must get your plan and materials approved by the teacher before you can begin your experiment.

Perform your experiment. Because you will be working with plants, it will take a few weeks to get the data you need to see if your hypothesis is supported or not. Remember, you must consistently record your observations and take care of your plants.

4. Make sure that you write very detailed descriptions of your experiment and devise a data table form to record all your data. You will be writing up this experiment in your lab book and accuracy, detail, and thoroughness will be very important.

Back to Listing

The University of Arizona
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
General Biology Program for Secondary Teachers
warder@email.arizona.edu