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The Effect of Beta Carotene on Plants Infected with Agrobacterium Tumefaciens. Christina Adams Grade 9. Problem. Will Beta Carotene have any role in preventing the effect of Agrobacterium tumefaciens on violets?
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The Effect of Beta Carotene on Plants Infected with AgrobacteriumTumefaciens Christina Adams Grade 9
Problem • Will Beta Carotene have any role in preventing the effect of Agrobacterium tumefaciens on violets? • I picked this experiment becauseof my interest in Botany and how different bacteria and solutions can affect the plant’s growth.
Research • Beta Carotene is a red-orange pigment found in various types of plants. Beta Carotene is converted in the body to Vitamin A. • Agrobacteriumtumefaciens is the bacteria that causes tumor formation in over 140 different dicot plants (plants with 2 or more embyroticleaves.) • A. tumefacienscan live freely in soil or inside plants as a parasite; Causes disease by transferring its own DNA into plants cells. • Most A. tumefaciensinfections caused by wounds in the plants (result from grafting together different plant stocks.)
Hypothesis • If Beta Carotene is used, then it should have no effect on preventing damage from the Agrobacteriumtumefaciens. Beta Carotene
Materials • 24 violets • Beta Carotene solution • Disinfectant • Bunsen Burner • Inoculating Needle • AgrobacteriumTumefaciens
Procedure • 8 plants were placed in each pot • Pot A is inoculated with A. tumefaciensand watered with 100ml of beta carotene twice weekly. • Pot B is inoculated with A. tumefaciensand watered with 100ml of distilled water twice weekly. • Pot C is not inoculated, but watered with 100ml of distilled water twice weekly. • The height of the plants will be documented over a 30-day period.
Independent and Dependent Variables • Independent variable: what the seeds are germinated in • Dependent variable: the height and growth rate of the plants • Control: Group C (water control group)
Conclusion • If Beta Carotene is used then it will have no effect on A. tumefaciensinfections. • This was not supported. • The control group had the highest growth rate followed by the beta carotene group. • The bacterial group had the lowest growth rate -Growth stopped after two weeks and plants began to brown
Conclusion (cont) • How to improve experiment: - use different types of plants, such as monocot plants, and different types of solution to test the effectiveness of prevention. - Test the effectiveness of the Beta Carotene on infected plants in higher doses. - Test Beta Carotene on humans with cancer.
Works Cited • Bochinski, Julianne Blair. The Complete Handbook of Science Fair Projects. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. • Helling, Christopher H. “How Effective is Beta Carotene in Fighting Cancer in Plants?” California State Science Fair 2008 Project Summary. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Oct. 2011. • Tzfira, Tzvi, and VitalyCitovsky. “Taking Biology Lessons from a Bug.” The Agrobacterium- Plant Cell Interaction. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Oct. 2011. • University of Minnesota- Department of Pediatrics. “Agrobacterium Infections in Humans.” University of Minnesota. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Oct. 2011. • Various school students. “Do Plants Get Cancer?” Student Sheet. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Oct. 2011. • Thank you for listening!