Dead Plants and a Test

     On Monday we took more data from our plants and our group was on day four of collecting data but the plants had been growing for much longer. Since we were not there to water the plants over the weekend the plants began to wilt. Also since they have been moved to the green house they did not grow as much. While each group was taking data we also reviewed notes. One thing I learned was some ways that carbon is returned to the atmosphere. One way is the burning of fossil fuels. Since humans are burning a lot more fossils, increased levels of carbon dioxide are occurring. One thing I can do to study for my test is review the discovery education question and notes.

     On Tuesday we reviewed in class by taking a survey of questions to see what we knew. This helped me a lot because it helped me know which note cards I need to review. Two words I often mix up are Convection and Conduction. I know from reviewing that convection is heat moving through a liquid. After that we started a new lab to help demonstrate the carbon cycle.  As a group we would have a total of eight tests and each group was assigned to do one question. The question our group had to answer was, "do plants do cellular respiration in the light?" My hypothesis is no, because plants need sunlight to perform photosynthesis so since they have sunlight they will have a way to make food. Our group set up our trials and then will wait until tomorrow to get our results. After that we learned how to set up a graph in spreadsheets to better and more neatly display our data. It was definitely a challenge but easy when we got the hang of it. After that we took the data for day 5 of our plants. Our plants still seem to be wilted but so did everyone else.

      On Wednesday we finished collecting data for our carbon cycle lab. In the is lab we found that when plants undergo cellular respiration they produce carbon and take in oxygen but when they undergo photosynthesis they produce oxygen but take in carbon. We know this because the indicator turned green when there was carbon but turned blue when there was oxygen. The plants in the light turned blue but the plants in the dark turned green. From this lab I learned  that plants are a main contributor to the carbon cycle. After that we finished setting up our graphs with our data for our plant data. We then took data for our plants for day 5. Our plants do not look as healthy as they did and the pesticide is making the water very cloudy in the bottom of our bottles. On Friday we will take our test and it will also be the last day of data we take.

On Thursday we took data from our plants on day 6. Most of our plants were dead except for one of our control plants. Although we have not completed all our data my prediction for our plants is that that they will just continue to die and wilt. I think this was their predetermined fate from the beginning.Along with taking plant data we also prepared for our test on Friday. We did this by reviewing our study guide in class. This really helped me a lot because the students who did their study guide had an opportunity to ask questions in class and go over notes. Overall one thing I can improve is studying. Using the discovery education questions is a great way but I definitely need to study the questions about the earth's axis.

On Friday we had our test. This test was a lot easier in my opinion than the quiz. I felt much more prepared for the test and was able to retain the information better when studying during the course of a week. I think quizzes are a lot harder than tests because there is less possible points so if you mess up then it affects your grade much more. After the test we also took plant data and my prediction was right, our plants are dead. I feel bad for this poor grass, I sure wouldn't want to be sprayed with chemicals and then get malnourished. Overall this week has been a busy one and I am glad it is over.