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Tomato Seed Germination Experiment

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Tomato Seed Germination Experiment

At a fire station, Mei and Anahera are planning a seed-growing project for a community open day. They want to test whether tomato seeds germinate differently with and without water. Read the investigation notes, then analyse the plan and results. Germination is the start of growth from a seed; the first root is called the radicle.

Plan the investigation

Mei places 10 tomato seeds on damp paper towel in a labelled container. Anahera places 10 seeds on dry paper towel in another identical container. They keep both containers in the same warm place for 7 days. They count a seed as germinated when a radicle is visible. They do not add extra water during the trial.

1.What is the independent variable in this investigation—the factor Mei and Anahera deliberately change?

The number of seeds in each container
Whether the paper towel is damp or dry
The length of the radicle
The position of the containers

2.What is the dependent variable—the outcome they measure?

3.Name two variables they should keep the same in both groups so the comparison is fair.

4.Why should the containers be labelled and kept in the same warm place?

Follow the evidence

After 7 days, Mei and Anahera record these results. A seed is counted as germinated only when its radicle can be seen.

Group

Seeds tested

Seeds germinated

Damp paper towel

Dry paper towel

5.Calculate the percentage of seeds that germinated in each group. Show or explain your calculation.

6.Which group had the higher germination rate, and by how many percentage points?

7.Do these results support the claim that water helps tomato seeds germinate? Use a number from the results as evidence.

8.True or false: Because one seed germinated in the dry group, water is not important for germination.

TrueFalse

9.The damp group had 8 germinated seeds and the dry group had 1. Can Mei and Anahera conclude that every tomato seed will always germinate with water? Explain.

10.Suggest one improvement that would make their results more reliable, and explain why it would help.

11.During a follow-up trial, Mei wants to test whether warmth affects germination. What should she change, and what should she keep the same?