How Does Microwave Radiation Affect Plant Growth and Development? Erin Chandler 9th Grade

Problem How does different amounts of radiation affect growth? Is it true that radiation can cause mutations and complications?

Research Radiation is energy that comes from a source and travels through space and may be able to penetrate many materials The four main types of radiation are alpha radiation, gamma radiaton, beta radiation, and x radiation Alpha radiation cannot penetrate human skin but is still harmful Beta radiation is moderately penetrating and can cause skin problems Gamma radiation and X radiation are x-rays and can penetrate easily and can be extremely harmful (this is the kind of radiation in microwaves and used in my experiment) Radiation and genetic mutations Certain amounts=different affects? Standing in front of a microwave myth or fact? Cancer radiation can affect growth hormones Not only radiation but inhaling radiation can cause cancer. More radiation can cause more problems.

Hypothesis If the seed is microwaved for a longer amount of time, then it will cause more damage to the seed. Supported by the idea that radiation will kill the seed more with more exposure to the radiation.

Materials 4 lima bean seeds 1 microwave oven four 5 cm by 5 cm containers (height:7.6 cm) water 236 ml of dirt per container

Procedure Control: plant not microwaved Manipulative: amount of exposure to microwave radiation Responding: results of growth and development of seeds Microwaved plant A: 0 seconds B: 5 seconds C: 10 seconds D: 20 seconds All were placed by a window and watered once daily

Results trial 1: growth of plant B on day 7, plant A on day 10, and plant C no growth trial 2: growth of plant B on day 7, plant A on day 11, and plant C on day 11 trial 3: growth of plant B on day 7, plant A on day 9, and plant C on day 11 Plant D had no growth through all 3 trials

Data

Conclusion If the seed is microwaved for a longer amount of time, then it will cause more damage to the seed. Supported by my research that radiation caused problems, complications, and kills growth hormones The experiment shows that plant B (5 seconds) had just enough radiation for something to happen in the seed that caused the seed to grow extremely fast Plant B grew almost twice as fast as plant A (0 seconds) Improvements: could have done it in a plastic bag with water to see full growth. Advancements: could have taken it further and microwaved seeds for longer amounts of time to make my results more accurate Problems: plant C did not grow at all in trial 1

Thanks Bleifield, Maurice. Botany Projects for Young Scientists. Maurice Bleifield: n.p., 1992. Print. Bugsby, Bruce. "Biological Effects of Radiation." Health Physics Society. HPS, 19 May 2009. Web. 8 Nov. 2009. <http://www.hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q1280.html>. Martinez, Alfonzo Balmori. "The Effects of Microwaves on Trees and Other      Plants." boomaantastingen. N.p., Dec. 2003. Web. 8 Nov. 2009. <http://www.boomaantastingen.nl/onderzoek_bomen_planten.pdf>. O'Leary, Nancy. "Does Microwave Radiation Affect Seed Growth?" infoplease. N.p.,      8 Nov. 2009. Web. 8 Nov. 2009. <http://www.infoplease.com/cig/science-fair- projects/does-microwave-radiation-affect-seed-growth.html>. Tocci, Salvatore. Plant Projects for Young Scientists. N.p.: Franklin Watts,  2000. Print.