Biology

Mitosis Mini-Project

This mini-project was about mitosis, the process of dividing cells and the research done with it. We gained our knowledge on this by reading several articles about the application of the science of mitosis and looking at diagrams of it happening. We then used our findings to create a stop motion video of mitosis happening. this helped us concrete our knowledge of what the process is.

interphase (also known as interkinesis)

This is the period in which the cell is not dividing. This does not mean that little is happening. Interphases are very active periods during which cells perform all the functions necessary for life, including the synthesis of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) so that both of the new cells formed by the miotic phase will contain a complete copy of the original and hence have all the necessary information.

Prophase

Early in the prophase stage, the chromatin fibers shorten into chromosomes that are visible under a light microscope. (Each prophase chromosome consists of a pair of identical double-stranded chromatids.)
Later in prophase, the nucleolus disappears, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the two centrosomes begin to form the mitotic spindle (which is an assembly of microtubules, which are components of the cytoskeleton).
As the microtubules extend in length between the centrosomes, the centrosomes are pushed to opposite "poles" (extremes) of the cell.
Eventually, the spindle extends between two opposite poles of the cell.

Metaphase

Metaphase is characterized by the "metaphase plate". This is a mid-point region within the cell that is formed/defined by the centromeres of the chromatid pairs aligning along the microtubules at the center of the mitotic spindle.

Anaphase

The centromeres split separating the two members of each chromatid pair - which then move to the opposite poles of the cell: When they are separated the chromatids are called chromosomes.
As the chromosomes are pulled by the microtubules during anaphase, they appear to be "V"-shaped because the centromeres lead the way, dragging the trailing arms of the chromosomes towards the pole/s.

Telophase

Telophase begins after the chromosomal movement stops.
The identical sets of chromosomes - which are by this stage at opposite poles of the cell, uncoil and revert to the long, thin, thread-like chromatin form.
A new nuclear envelope forms around each chromatin mass.
Nucleoli appear.
Eventually, the mitotic spindle breaks-up.

Plant-mania

Abstract
We started out wanting to create an aquaponics system that looked good and was sustainable for the schools use. We tried to do this last year but there wasn't enough support so when we had the opportunity this year we jumped on it. Plant in soil relies on the nitrogen in the soil for there nutrition and constant watering to stay healthy. The advantage of an aquaponics setting the fish excrement gives the plant the ammonia that they need to be healthy and the plants help oxygenate the tank so this creates a symbiotic relationship with the fish. This is more efficient and overall costs less because u use less water.

Background
The majority of plants that we have in our houses and gardens are in the soil. One thing that soil has in it that plants need to survive are nitrogen compounds.6 These nitrogen compounds are dissolved into the water and absorbed by the roots of the plant. Soil also helps plants to get some of the other nutrients to survive.
An aquaponics system is when you combine aquaculture and hydroponics.2 In an aquaponics system, you have a tank of fish, these fish produce waste that is natural and organic food for the plants. The waste contains ammonia, too much of which can be toxic to fish which is how the plants create a symbiotic relationship. As well as a variety of nutrients like phosphorus and potassium.5 There are also microbes in the water that get rid of all ammonia that the waste produces and turns produces into nitrates.

Significance
Aquaponics is a new revolutionary way to grow plants. The system uses a natural symbiotic relationship, between fish and plants. This system saves large amounts of water, is a very sustainable way to grow plants, and show a sustainable relationship between fish and plants. Although the system is more expensive than a traditional system, it is much easier to take care of on a small scale. In a large-scale sense aquaponics can be extremely pricey compared to basic soil-based farming, but in the long run, you will save lots of money because you reuse most of the water in your system. 7A large-scale high-quality aquaponics system (one that could replicate a farm) costs about $80,000. The system needs minimal care once up and running, so it would be very functional in a school or work environment. Plants also grow slightly faster because it is easier for the plants to absorb their nutrients when they are submerged in the water. Overall aquaponics is a great sustainable way to grow plants in a fast-paced environment if you are willing to put in the money.

Question
Null Hypothesis: The cat grass grown in each system will grow at the same rate.
Alternative Hypothesis 1: The cat grass in the aquaponics system will reach the desired height of 13 to 19 cm faster than the lemongrass in the soil.
Alternative Hypothesis 2: The cat grass in the soil will grow faster than the cat grass in the aquaponics system

Photosynthesis Lab

To start the Lab we first learned about photosynthesis and what the process was. It takes three things to do the full process H2O, Co2 and Sunlight. Within the process, it uses all of the components to create Glucose and Sugar for the plant which is its fuel.

For my experiment, I punched out 4 pieces of oak leaf and put them on top of the water with a purple lamp over the tank. Next, I used a dropper to put carbon dioxide on the plants. The Idea is that the plants will absorb the carbon dioxide which makes it heavy in the water it will sink and then it will float when the plant using the light from the purple lamp I used, turn the carbon onto oxygen which will make the leaf float.

I graphed over time how many were floating every few minutes.

Graph

Monocots vs. Dicots

We did this project to learn some of the classifications of plants. For this small project, we were focusing on Monocots and Dicots these are two of the main classifications for plants. Most of the class time was that we did an experiment of growing Mung Beans and corn (a monocot and dicot ) to see how they germinated and grew under certain variables.

A Monocot is a class of angiosperm plants having a single cotyledon in the seed. Monocotyledons have leaves with parallel veins, flower parts in multiples of three, and fibrous root systems. Their primary vascular bundles are scattered throughout the stem, not arranged in a ring as in eudicotyledons. Grasses, palms, lilies, irises, and orchids are monocotyledons.*

A Dicot is an angiosperm that is not a monocotyledon, having two cotyledons in the seed. The term dicotyledon serves as a convenient label for the eudicotyledons, the magnoliids, and a varied group of other angiosperms, but it does not correspond to a single taxonomic group.*

* dictionary definition (dictionary.com)

The Experiment

My predictions at first were that the Mung Bean was the Dicot and the Corn was the Monocot. After my plants grew around four days to grow, I recognized the two cotyledons on the Mung Bean. On the Corn, I didn't really see the cotyledons till later when it leaved. Witch, I realised that the seed was just the one and only. After I came back from the weekend they had both leaved and they were looking awesome here are some pictures!