Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
SYASYA
MUHAMAD ADAM LIM
SYARAFANA
I/C
: 951219-10-6058
GROUP
: ALUK 11
SYAUQINA
BINTI
INVESTIGATING
PLANT
MINERAL
DATE OF EXPERIMENT
: 20 FEBRUARY 2014
DATE OF SUBMISSION
: 7 MARCH 2014
LECTURE
OBJECTIVE
is
accurately
processed,
experimental
procedures
are
These type of nutrients can be found in water and air. These elements are
vital in the process of photosynthesis in which plants use energy from the
sunlight and convert them into carbon dioxide and water so that the plants
can produce starches and sugars. The starches and sugars are the plants
food. Since plants receive carbon, hydrogen and oxygen from the air and
water, there is little farmers and gardeners can do to control these how much
of these non-mineral nutrients a plan can use. Also, deficiency in these
nutrients rarely occurs and become the least of farmers and gardeners
concern. Apart from that, they are also the most abundant elements found in
plant and form major ingredients of organic compounds, most of which are
carbohydrates. The first non-mineral nutrient, carbon (C), is essential to form
carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acid and many other compounds. On
average, the dry weight (excluding water) of a cell is 50 percent carbon,
making it a key part of plant biomolecules. Hydrogen (H), on the one hand is
necessary for cellular respiration in which plants use oxygen to store energy
in the form of ATP. Both hydrogen and oxygen are also part of many organic
compounds and form water as well.
There are thirteen mineral nutrients, which come from the soil, are dissolved
in water and taken up by plants via active transport process, against the
concentration gradient. Mineral nutrients are not always enough in the soil for
plants to grow healthy. Therefore, most of the farmers and gardeners add
fertilizer that contains nutrients to the soil. The mineral nutrients are divided
into two groups which are macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients
are
elements
required
by
plant
in
relatively
large
amounts
whilst
amounts from the slow decomposition of soil organic matter, which is also
one of the important reasons for not throwing out grass clipping and leaves.
The micronutrients of mineral nutrients are boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe),
chloride (Cl), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo) and zinc (Zn). Recycling
organic matter such as grass clippings and tree leaves is an excellent way of
providing micronutrients as well as macronutrients to grow plants.
Each mineral nutrient has their own functions and the results can be
devastating if there is a lack of this nutrients in the plants. Nitrogen is a part
of all living cells and it is a vital part of all proteins, enzymes and metabolic
processes involved in the synthesis and transfer of energy. Nitrogen is also a
part of chlorophyll, the green pigments of the plants, that is responsible for
the plants to carry out photosynthesis process. It also aids plants with rapid
growth, increasing the production of seed and fruits as well as improving the
quality of leaves and forage crops. Nitrogen often comes from fertilizer
application and from the air. Similar with nitrogen, phosphorus plays an
important
role
in
the
process
of
photosynthesis.
It
assists
in
the
Phosphorus
can
be
found
in
fertilizer,
bone
meal
and
small
proportion.
Boron
aids
in
the
production
of
sugar and
Effects of Deficiency
Stunted growth
Chlorosis
Micronutri
ent
Boron
Effects of Deficiency
Death of
buds
Abnormal
terminal
plant
Phosphate
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfur
Copper
Iron
Manganese
Molybdenu
m
growth
Leaves
become
thick, curled and
brittle
Death
of
young
shoot tips
Brown spots appear
on terminal leaves
Plants are stunted
Yellowing of young
leaves
A network of green
veins on a light
green background
Brown or grey spots
between the veins
Chlorosis
in
the
areas between the
veins
of
mature
leaves
Pale green leaves
Reduction in crop
yields
Mottled leaves with
irregular areas of
chlorosis
lacking
nitrate,
lacking
variable:
Growth
lacking
sulfur,
lacking
Constant variable:
(i) Volume of cultured solution
APPARATUS
8 Petri dishes, measuring cylinders, beakers, droppers, forceps
MATERIALS
Label stickers, tissue paper, Lemna sp., nutrient solutions (all nutrients
present,
lacking
nitrate,
lacking
potassium,
lacking
calcium,
lacking
Type of
solution
Day
All nutrients
present
Lacking
nitrogen
Lacking
phosphate
Number of
roots
Number of
leaves
1
3
5
7
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
leaves
Green
Green
Green
Yellowish
green
Yellowish
11
1
3
5
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
green
Yellow
Green
Green
Yellowish
green
Yellowish
9
11
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
green
Yellow
Yellow
Green
3
5
0
0
1
1
Green
Yellowish
green
Yellowish
Colour of
green
Lacking
potassium
9
11
1
3
5
7
Lacking
magnesium
Distilled
water
Yellow
Yellow
Green
Green
Yellowish
green
Yellowish
9
11
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
3
5
0
0
1
1
Green
Yellowish
green
Yellowish
9
11
1
3
5
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
green
Yellow
Yellow
Green
Green
Yellowish
green
Yellowish
9
11
1
3
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
green
Yellow
Yellow
Green
Yellowish
green
Yellowish
Lacking
Sulfur
1
1
1
1
1
green
Yellow
Yellow
Green
Lacking
calcium
0
0
0
0
0
7
9
11
1
3
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
green
Yellow
Yellow
Yellow
Green
Yellowish
green
Yellowish
green
Yellowish
9
11
0
0
1
1
green
Yellow
Yellow
DISCUSSION
In this experiment, the same type of species of Lemna sp is used so that the
the results are more reliable. The Lemna spp are taken from the same area or
habitat so that the rate of growth is the same for all plants. Besides that, it
has to be taken from the same species because different species has different
rate of growth. One limitation that we cannot avoid at all is the level of
maturity of the Lemna sp. Some of the Lemna sp are young and some of the
Lemna sp are old. In order to minimize this limitation, we should choose the
Lemna sp with almost the same size, though the size of Lemna sp does not
indicate the maturity of the plants. Each petri dish contains 5 Lemna sp and
this amount of Lemna in each Petri dish should be constant for other Petri
dish. This step is vital to ensure the nutrients are divided equally to 5 Lemna
spp and avoid any further competition.
Secondly, all the Lemna sp must be carefully extract and place gently and
carefully into the cultured nutrients solutions. The solutions are freshly made
so that the data obtain is valid and reliable. Before the solutions are poured
into the Petri dish, the Petri dishes must be in sterile condition in which there
is no contamination by the foreign substances. If the petri dishes are polluted,
there will be a competition occurs between Lemna sp and the pathogens,
resulting in inaccuracy of data.
Next, the observation of the Lemna sp is recorded in every two days, making
six observations overall. The observation of the Lemna sp is taken from
several aspects which are number of roots, number of leaves and colour of
leaves. It is a bit difficult to record the observation because the size of Lemna
is very small. However, according to the above table, it states that there is no
changes in the number of roots and number of leaves. This indicates that the
plants have died from the very first day. There are several unavoidable errors
and limitations that cause the plants to die. The first reason is due to the
contamination of the Petri dishes which causes the plants to be infected or
maybe because there are strong competitions exist between Lemna sp and
the microorganism. The competitions occur in the aspect of receiving sunlight
and nutrients. The second reason is because the Lemna spp have already
died before being transferred into the Petri dishes. When we are transferring
the Lemna sp using the forceps, we might be putting excess force on the
forceps and this causes the Lemna sp to be crushed and died. The last reason
is the major cause of this failure results in which the Petri dishes are left
opened for a night and this causes all the nutrients to evaporate and the Petri
dishes are dried. The Lemna spp are left dried in several hours until the
condition become very unfavourable for them to live. The unfavourable
conditions for this type of plant are dry and deficient of nutrient.
Another observation that are taken into account is the colour of the leaves.
The colour of the leaves for all the plants shows the same changes; from
green to pale yellow and then to yellow. This shows that the plants are died
and they are not died because of the deficient of nutrients. If they die due to
nutrients deficiency, the observation should be different. For example, the
leaves should be white in colour instead in yellow colour for Lemna sp in
lacking calcium solution. These reasons also explain why the Lemna sp does
not grow any roots and leaves. It means the Lemna sp has died from the first
day of experiment due to human mistakes and unavoidable limitations. From
overall perspective, the results of this experiment is not valid and unreliable
at all due to the reasons that I have stated above.
EVALUATION
Errors and Improvements
The errors that are aroused during the experimental process can lead to
inaccuracy of the result. The first source of error is when the Petri dishes
containing the nutrients solution are exposed to the surrounding air and
atmosphere during the preparation of Lemna spp. in which Lemna spp. had to
be transferred into the Petri dishes. To put it in other words, they are not
covered with lids. This can cause the entry of microorganisms or foreign
substances or maybe pathogens as the cultured nutrient solutions might
become a favourite condition for the bacteria to grow. Nutrients evaporate
and dry if the Petri dishes are left open for a day and this can cause Lemna
spp. to die as they are aquatic plant and they cannot live in dry condition and
without nutrients. This can be overcome by closing the Petri dishes as soon as
possible to minimize the entry of foreign substances that can disrupt the
growth of the Lemna spp..
Besides that, during choosing the Lemna spp., the chosen Lemna spp. can be
mature and can be immature as they are randomly picked by human. Also,
the chosen Lemna might not be in a healthy state and some of them probably
had undergone the effects of nutrients deficiency without being noticed by
us. This can be solved by picking the Lemna spp. with almost the similar
physical appearance. For instance, choosing green-coloured leaves instead of
yellow or pale green. The yellow Lemna sp. might have undergone chlorosis.
Also, choosing the same size of Lemna spp. for the same Petri dishes. Apart
from that, the Lemna spp. might already be crashed by the forceps during the
choosing of the plant. This can cause Lemna spp. died straight away before
we can investigate the effects of plant minerals deficiency.
Moreover, the process in which transporting the Lemna spp. from the
laboratory to the classroom causes several problems arise. The nutrient
solutions are spilled and this causes the volume of the Petri dishes are not
even. Some of the Lemna spp. is not fully immersed in the culture solutions
as some of them stick to the cover of the Petri dishes whereby the solutions
cannot be reached. Therefore, the nutrients intakes by the plants are not the
same. This problem can be overcome by covering the Petri dishes with cling
films and bring them slowly and gently to the class without spilling the
nutrients.
Limitations
There are a few limitations in the experiment which has to be taken into
account and can affect the results of this experiment. One of the limitations
of the experiment is the experiment is conducted in an exposed air. This
apparatus are contaminated with various foreign substances as we respired
and talked while conducting the experiment. This can cause other bacteria
get into the Petri dishes that contain the cultured nutrient solution and this
solutions might be a favorable condition for the bacterias growth, thus,
raising competition between the impurities and Lemna spp. This can disrupt
the growth of the Lemna spp.. This can be minimize by cleaning the Petri
dishes with tissue paper and cover the Petri dishes with lid to prevent the
cultured solution being exposed to the surrounding environment.
Besides that, many limitations are faces due to the Lemna spp. These plants
have many species and they are varying in size and features. The size of
Lemna spp. are too small and they are difficult to be detected any changes or
observed. Due to the size, there are too many error occurs during the
observation. Moreover, each Lemna sp. has different level of maturity. So,
some of them can be too matured and old while some of them are too young
and immature. They will, therefore, grow at different rate.
Furthermore, the weather of surroundings cannot be controlled. If the
weather is too hot or too cold, it is not a suitable environment for the growth
of Lemna sp. The hot weather can cause the cultured nutrient solution to dry
quickly while the cold weather can disturb the growth of the Lemna sp.. This
can be overcome by placing the Petri dish containing the Lemna sp. in a
classroom as the classroom is not too warm or not too cold. The Petri dishes
are placed near the windows so that the plants can obtain maximum amount
of sunlight for them to carry out the photosynthesis process.
Last but not least, the Lemna spp. might be grown in deficient nutrients
environment and the Lemna sp. might already have the effects of nutrients
sufficient. So, the results are in accurate. This matter can be overcome by
choosing the healthy Lemna spp. and avoid choosing Lemna spp. that has
First
and
foremost,
the
basic and
simplest safety
precautions that are needed to be followed by all students are wearing lab
coat and a pair of suitable shoes are compulsory when conducting an
experiment in the lab at all times to protect the skin and clothes from
chemicals such as the cultured nutrients solutions. The cultured nutrients
solutions might be a favourable condition for the growth of foreign
substances. This can be overcome by handling the solutions using gloves and
face masks as well as lab coat and eye protection.
Furthermore, the glassware such as measuring cylinder and beaker should
be handled with full care because they are fragile. Avoid consuming any
solution that used in this experiment because they might be contaminated. In
addition, the hands whose conduct this experiment need to be wash cleanly
after handling the nutrients solutions to avoid any contamination that can
bring harm to your health. Also, be careful when using forceps, while
extracting the Lemna sp from the beaker to move them into Petri dishes, as it
can harm other people. In addition, there would be a risk that the volume of
cultured nutrients solution in each of the Petri dish might not be constant.
This occurs due to the parallax error when reading the scale on the
measuring cylinder. The eyes of observant must be perpendicular to the
measuring cylinder and the reading is repeated with other students to ensure
the precision of the results. It is indispensable to avoid any inconsistency of
the volume of the solution in each Petri dish as the results will not be valid to
the test of the deficiency of the plant mineral in the Lemna sp. Students
should take note as well to behave themselves while in the laboratory by not
running, eating, drinking or joking around while conducting the experiment. It
is compulsory to wash all the apparatus under running tap water after using
them and return to their original places.
CONCLUSION
The Lemna sp in complete nutrients solution has the highest number of
plantlets and they grow healthily. Other than that, we can say that all the
macronutrients and micronutrients are very significant in sustaining the
growth of the Lemna and the deficient of each nutrient will affect the Lemna
sp in many ways. The hypothesis is accepted.
REFERENCE
1. http://soils.wisc.edu/facstaff/barak/soilscience326/macronut.htm
2. http://www.ncagr.gov/cyber/kidswrld/plant/nutrient.htm
3. http://www.eldoradochemical.com/fertiliz1.htm
4. http://landresources.montana.edu/NM/Modules/Module9.pdf
5. http://5e.plantphys.net/article.php?id=289