The interactive lab work
Introduction
The main aim of the lab was to enhance what was learned in the lectures by using lab tools, hence increasing the ability to retain the knowledge learned in class. To illustrate, we identified two main hormones that play a critical role in the growth of plants, especially the lateral branches and roots. We also compared the function of the two hormones and how one hormone inhibits the function of the other.
Materials and Methods
The main sources that were used in this report were the lecture notes and slides, and the video recorded during learning.
Observation and results
In the experiment, the main aim was to find out ways in which a plant can clown. This can be achieved by inserting the plant in water and allowing it to grow. However, it was observed that clowning woody plants are a difficulty as it can not be achieved by just putting the plant in water. A cutting made from a woody stem hardly produces adventitious roots. This is because different hormones have to be used and also be the bark of the plant scribbled to allow growth to occur.
In the experiment of the two hormones used in the growth, cytokinin and auxins were used. The two hormones were studied by cutting the plant and altering their concentration. The alteration in the concentration led to the growth of adventitious roots and the lateral branches. Auxins played a role in suppressing the auxiliary buds and suppressing lateral growth. Auxins are produced in the apical meristems and transported to the roots. Near the area of new growth, they are usually in high concentrations. Their high concentration suppresses the buds and prevents them from growing into branches.
Th second hormone is the cytokinin hormone which is produced in the roots and transported upwards and therefore low concentration in the stem and high concentration in the areas of new growth. Cytokinins play a role in stimulating the growth of auxiliary buds and lateral buds. This is contrary to the function of the auxins.
It was observed that there are usually high amounts of auxiliary buds and lateral buds at the lower stem than in the areas of new growth. This is because they are inhibited by auxins in the areas of growth. When the apical meristem of a plant is cut at 45 degrees, the auxins are decapitated. This is because auxins are produced in the apical meristem. This in turn leads to an increase in cytokinin production because there are no auxins to inhibit them. This leads to the stimulation of the growth of lateral branches. The cutting at the stem has no roots that are making cytokinins and this means that there is a high concentration of auxins which leads to the growth of adventitious roots. The stem cutting, therefore, has hormones helping in root formation. The plant that was cut has cytokinins that will help in the formation of lateral branches.
This is the same concept used by gardeners. The gardeners cut the tip of the plant to make it grow bushy. The plant grows bushy because auxins have been eliminated and therefore the cytokinins stimulate more growth of lateral branches.
Conclusion
The interactive lab work that we did was helpful in supporting the lecturer readings by providing side to side comparisons. This helped increase knowledge and retain the information learned.