24/06/2024
Experiment: Investigating Radicle Geotropism using a Clinostat
Objective: To demonstrate that radicles (roots) of seedlings exhibit positive geotropism, growing in the direction of gravity, using a clinostat.
Materials:
- Seedlings (e.g., bean or pea)
- Clinostat (a device that rotates plants to negate gravity's effect)
- Containers with nutrient medium
- Ruler or measuring tape
- Protractor or angle measurer
- Stopwatch or timer
Procedure:
1. Prepare seedlings by planting them in containers with a nutrient medium.
2. Place the containers in the clinostat, which will rotate the plants at a constant speed (e.g., 1-2 revolutions per minute).
3. Set up a control group by placing identical seedlings in a stationary container.
4. Measure and record the initial radicle length and angle (with respect to the vertical) for both the clinostat and control groups.
5. Allow the seedlings to grow for a set period (e.g., 24-48 hours).
6. Measure and record the final radicle length and angle for both groups.
7. Calculate the radicle growth and angle change for each group.
Expected Results:
- Clinostat group: Radicles will grow in random directions, with no significant change in angle, due to the rotating motion negating gravity's effect.
- Control group: Radicles will grow downwards, with a significant increase in angle, indicating positive geotropism.
Conclusion:
This experiment demonstrates that radicles of seedlings exhibit positive geotropism, growing in the direction of gravity, as shown by the control group. The clinostat group, which was rotated to negate gravity's effect, did not exhibit directional growth, confirming that geotropism is indeed a response to gravity. These findings support the theory that plant roots have a natural tendency to grow towards gravity, which is essential for anchorage and nutrient uptake.