Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Science Project of the Week - Water Loss in Plants

PROBLEM: Do plants lose water through their leaves?

RESEARCH: Look up transpiration in a biology textbook. In your own words, write at least two paragraphs about transpiration.

HYPOTHESIS: Based on your research, do you think water will come out of the leaves of the plant?

MATERIALS: One growing plant (you may use a plant in your garden)2 clear plastic bags (like a sandwich bag or vegetable bag from the grocery storetape.

PROCEDURE:
1. Place one sandwich bag over one leaf.
2. Secure the bag on the stem with the tape.
3. Place the plant in the sunlight for two or three hours. (If you are using a plant from your garden, be sure to choose one that will be in the sunlight for at least three hours.) Control
4. Fill the second bag with air without blowing into the bag.
5. Secure the bag the same way you did the first bag.
6. Place the second bag near the plant you are using to test your hypothesis.

DATA: Make a data table to record your observations. Make observations at least 5 times at half hour intervals.

POSSIBLE RESEARCH PARAGRAPH: Plants absorb water from the soil through their roots. This water moves up the stem to the leaves where 90 percent is lost through the pores of the leaves (stomata). Some trees lose as much as 15,000 pounds (6,810 kg) of water within a 12 hour period. This loss of water through the stomata is called transpiration.

By - Judy Schneider

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Answer to Last Week's Famous Scientist

James Watt (19 January 173625 August 1819[1]) was a Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer whose improvements to the steam engine were fundamental to the changes brought by the Industrial Revolution in both Britain and the world.

For more interesting information on James Watt go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Watt

100% of you answered correctly!! Way to go!!

Famous Scientists

Below are 5 clues to who I am. Read through them and then vote below. Next week, I will give you the answer. Good luck!!

Clue #1: Nationality - English
Clue #2: Lived: 1791 - 1867
Clue #3: I was a bookbinder apprentice and gained much knowledge from reading the books.
Clue #4: I was the first to describe the element chlorine and the compound benzene.
Clue #5: Below is a picture of me.

Who Am I?

Who Am I?

I am the Famous Scientist