Posted: 6/7/2009 4:34:14 PM EDT
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I am helping this hot chick that is giving me an occasional shot of leg with some science stuff. <meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta> <meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta> <meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Generator"></meta> <meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Originator"></meta> [li] The Effect of Gamma Radiation <o:p></o:p> On the Germination and Growth <o:p></o:p> Of Radish Seeds <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Abstract: Will gamma radiation have an effect on the germination and subsequent growth of radishes after the seeds have been exposed to various levels of said radiation? <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Introduction: Five different groups of seeds are provided for study consisting of one control group and four test groups. The test groups have been exposed to gamma radiation, while the control group has not. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> All seeds will be treated to the same protocols and will be maintained under identical conditions. Data will be collected for 25 days on plants and will include the following: <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> 1.) Date of first seed germination <o:p></o:p> 2.) Percent of seed germination <o:p></o:p> 3.) Average plant length <o:p></o:p> a. average stem length <o:p></o:p> b. average root length <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Hypothesis: It is hypothesized that the seeds that have been exposed to high energy, electromagnetic radiation will not perform as well as those that have not been exposed. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Methods: <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Materials needed for this project are as follows: <o:p></o:p> 1. five Petri dishes (9 cm in diameter, 1.5 cm in depth), <o:p></o:p> 2. sharpie marker, black in color, for labeling <o:p></o:p> 3. 25 seeds of each: <o:p></o:p> a. control 0 rad exposure, <o:p></o:p> b. 50,000 rad exposure, <o:p></o:p> c. 150,000 rad exposure, <o:p></o:p> d. 500,000 rad exposure, <o:p></o:p> e. 4,000,000 rad exposure <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> 4. Deionized water <o:p></o:p> 5. Fluorescent light source, with timer to allow for 12 hrs on/off cycle <o:p></o:p> 6. Measuring device for length <o:p></o:p> 7. Transfer pipet <o:p></o:p> 8. Data recording materials <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The experiment begins with the labeling of the Petri dishes (1.) with the marker (2.). The dishes are labeled with the information in (3.) to identify the corresponding seed group which the dishes contain. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> After each dish is marked and the appropriate seeds added, it is then filled with 25mL of the deionized water (4.) and the seeds stirred with the transfer pipet to dislodge any trapped air bubbles (7.) <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> All five seed groups are then placed under a fluorescent light source located (?) inches/centimeters above the rim of the Petri dishes. This light source is connected to a timer that regulates exposure to light at the rate of 12 hours light to 12 hours of darkness. There is no other light source. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Daily observations are made, and data is recorded (8.). The data that is obtained is: <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> 1.) Date of first seed germination <o:p></o:p> 2.) Percent of seed germination <o:p></o:p> 3.) Average plant length <o:p></o:p> a. average stem length <o:p></o:p> b. average root length <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> No other data will be collected, unless exceptional data. <o:p></o:p> I have a problem with: 1. No type of FL (degrees Kelvin, wattage,etc... is it a shop light or a grow light) 2. Distance of light source above the rim of the petri dish 3. Distance of subject from point of 'most intense light", ie center. I know that there is stuff that I am missing, as I am just a glorified neanderthal. Help me out . |
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Quoted: I didn't write the study, nor provide the seeds. This is the hand that she has been dealt. "e. 4,000,000 rad exposure <o:p></o:p>" 4 Mrad should kill damn near anything. Even 50 krad is liable to be pretty destructive (as in near zero germination). I would suggest lower dose and more steps. Why gammas? They are actually not very common, even in space. |
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Quoted:
"e. 4,000,000 rad exposure <o:p></o:p>" 4 Mrad should kill damn near anything. Even 50 krad is liable to be pretty destructive (as in near zero germination). I would suggest lower dose and more steps. Why gammas? They are actually not very common, even in space. That is indeed a shitton of radiation. Is it supposed to be in millirads (mrad), perhaps? Otherwise: Nothing states how the seeds are irradiated. Is it done beforehand? During the entire trial? For a set time at the beginning of the trial? Setup and procedure overall is very vague. As you stated, there aren't details on the specific lighting. Additionally, how exactly are the seeds placed in the dishes? By hand? Using the pipette? What? Every single aspect of the setup and procedure should be explicitly documented. The point is to be able to exactly reproduce the experiment by that alone - every act that needs to be taken should be written down. Basically, if you do *anything* that isn't documented, then you have violated your experimental protocols and the results should be voided. Heck, my AP Chem course in HS required more detailed procedure documentation than what is given above. |
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I too am a little concerned about the radiation. I thought Gamma was rather hard to contain, and those levels seem unhealthy for human exposure.
Since your doing a radiation test, why not record the back ground radiation levels and meter the seeds when you check on them. There might be more radiation from the CCFL or the ballast that could increase their exposure. How about the paper towel or rag the seeds will be laying on. I remember having to put down an absorbing layer before the seed to hold more moisture. You need air temp, surface temps wouldn't hurt either, light level. How about seed volume/size, since your not including anything for the seed to feed on, it's going to rely on the seed meat. Larger seeds will have more food than smaller. |
