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The Seed Project
In this project you will be determining if dry seeds AND wet (germinating) seeds are
alive.
Laboratory 1: Dry & Wet Seeds
Question: ______________________________________________________________
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Hypothesis: If, __________________________________________________________
then, ___________________________________________________________________
because_________________________________________________________________
Back ground Information:
What type of bean is it? A pinto bean. It is the most common bean in the United
States and northwestern Mexico; it is most often eaten whole in broth, or mashed and
refried. Either whole or mashed, it is a common filling for burritos. The dry beans have
been purchased from the grocery store, just as you would find them. The wet
(germinating) beans, however, have been soaked in tap water for several hours.
What does it mean to germinate?
ger·mi·nate verb
1. (of a seed or spore) begin to grow and put out shoots after a period of dormancy.
synonyms: sprout, shoot (up), bud
What does dormant mean? “a state of quiet (but possibly temporary) inaction”
With this information, use the following procedure to collect data to help you answer your
question and hypothesis.
Procedure:
1. Obtain 10 dry seeds and 10 wet seeds.
2. Observe the seeds and notice that there are differences between them. You may
use a dissecting microscope to observe the seeds. Make a drawing of each type
of seed.
a. Drawings should be in the space provided.
b. Make sure you record the magnification (for example: 4x or 10x) you
use to make your observation on your drawings.
c. Label all parts of the seed you drew. You may have to refer to the
resources provided for detail.
3. Cut one of the seeds in half with a scalpel from the dissecting kit. Be very
careful. The dry seeds are difficult to cut.
4. Observe the cut seed. You may use a dissecting microscope to observe the
seeds. Make a drawing of the inside of the cut seed.
5. Complete the table provided to record measurable data obtained from your
seed.
DRY SEED DATA
Dry Seed
Mass (g)
Length
(mm)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Average
Width
(mm)
Color
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Texture
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Whole Dry Seed Illustration
Half (Cut) Dry Seed Illustration
Magnification_________
Magnification_________
WET (Germinating) SEED DATA
Germinating
Seed
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Average
Mass (g)
Length
(mm)
Width
(mm)
Color
Texture
----------------------
-----------------------
Whole Germinating Seed Illustration
Half (Cut) Germinating Seed Illustration
Magnification_________
Magnification_________
When you are finished collecting your data, please clean up your lab space and leave
it in the condition that you found it.
Analysis: Review the data that you have collected.
1. On average, which type of bean had a greater mass?
_________________
2. On average, which type of bean had a greater length?
_________________
3. On average, which type of bean had a greater width?
_________________
4. Did the color of the beans appear different
between the two types? Yes or No and provide
details.
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5. Did the texture change from dry to wet? Yes or
No and provide details.
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Conclusions:
6. Which variable(s) were quantitative data?________________________________________
7. Which variable(s) were qualitative data?_________________________________________
8. Why did you measure your data in grams and millimeters instead of pounds and inches?
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9. Identify the control in this experiment. __________________________________________
10. Identify the constant(s) in this experiment. _______________________________________
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11. Why is the number of trials important in an experiment? For example, why did you test 10
beans of each type instead of only one or two?
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12. Re-read your original question and hypothesis. Is your hypothesis supported by the data you
collected? Describe how the characteristics of life have been demonstrated by the data you
collected (use your book or my PowerPoint on my website if you don’t remember). Be sure
to discuss at least 5 of these characteristics and how they relate to your experiment. Write in
complete sentences.
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13. Is the data that you collected enough evidence to have a concrete response to your
hypothesis? What alterations could you do in this experiment to gain more detailed
answers? Write in complete sentences.
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