Jove Lab Bio
Lab 1: Scientific Method — Procedure
- Observation and Background Research
- NOTE: The first two steps in the scientific process involve studying and observing natural phenomena of interest.
- Observe the leaves and branches of the individual plant species. Each species comes from a different environment.
- Compare each branch to one another and record your observations about any qualitative similarities or differences. Click Here to download Table A
- Use leaf clippers to cut the leaves from the branches.
- Make additional qualitative observations about the leaves from each species.
- Hypothesis Formulation
- Think of some general questions that you might have after observing the different plant species.
- Using these general questions, create a null and an experimental hypothesis.
- Experimentation and Data Collection
- Weigh and record the mass of each leaf. Click Here to download Table B
- Measure and record the length of each leaf from the petiole to the tip in the table.
- Next, carefully trace each leaf outline onto a blank piece of computer paper.
- Then, cut out and weigh and 4 x 4 cm square of the same paper, weigh the cutout tracing, and record these data in the table.
- Data Analysis and Conclusion
- To calculate the leaf surface area, divide the surface area of the 4 x 4 cm paper square by the mass of the paper square, and multiply the resulting number by the mass of the leaf tracing.
- Next, create a bar graph with your five plant species listed on the x-axis, and the surface area in square centimeters indicated on the y-axis.
- Draw a trend line through the graph if a relationship is evident.
- Using your qualitative observations and quantitative measurements, draw conclusions about the data you collected.