Name: Mickealia Brown

Lab #: 10
Skills: ORR
Date: November 4, 2024
Title: Reproduction and Growth in Plants
Aim: To describe the growth patterns of red kidney beans.
Apparatus/Materials:
Red kidney beans, meter rule
Procedure:
1. 5 dry red kidney beans were collected.
2. The beans were placed in moist soil no more than 6 cm below ground level. Ensure
that the soil is always kept moist. The date of planting was noted.
3. The heights of the plants were measured in centimeters (cm) every day for a period of
two weeks after each plant emerged from the soil. It was ensured that the plants
were watered every day.
4. The heights of each plant were recorded in a table and the average height of the plants
was calculated daily, noting the number of days the plants took to emerge from the
soil.
5. Plot a line graph to show the average height of the plant varying with time.
Extrapolate from the curve to show what the average height of the plant would be for
the next two weeks.
6. Use the results obtained to describe the growth pattern of the red kidney beans.

Observation/Results:
Table showing the average height of the kidney bean plants growing over a period of
time
Average
Days of Height of
Plant #1 Plant #2 Plant #3 Plant #4 Plant #5
Measurement Plants
(cm)
0
1 0.4 0.3 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.4
2 0.9 0.8 1.0 0.9 0.7 0.7
3 1.3 1.2 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.1
 4 2.1 1.9 2.2 2.0 1.6 1.5
5 2.9 2.6 3.1 2.8 2.4 2.2
6 3.8 3.4 3.8 3.6 3.2 3.6
7 4.6 4.2 4.6 4.4 3.9 4.3
8 5.4 4.9 5.4 5.1 4.6 5.1
9 6.2 5.7 6.2 5.9 5.4 5.9
10 7.0 6.5 6.9 6.7 6.0 6.6
11 7.7 7.2 7.6 7.4 6.8 7.3
12 8.4 7.9 8.3 8.1 7.4 8.0
13 9.1 8.5 8.9 8.8 8.3 8.7
14 9.7 9.1 9.5 9.4 8.4 9.2
Date of Planting: October 29th,2024

Discussion:
Growth refers to the increase in size, weight, or volume of an organism over time. In the
context of plant biology, growth encompasses the processes of cell division, expansion, and
differentiation, leading to the development of roots, stems, leaves, and other structures.
During the two-week observation period, the red kidney bean plants exhibited rapid growth.
Initially, the seeds germinated and emerged from the soil within 3-5 days. Thereafter, the
seedlings grew at an average rate of 2-3 cm per day, reaching an average height of 10-15 cm
by the end of the first week. In the second week, growth slowed slightly, averaging 1-2 cm
per day, with the plants reaching an average height of 20-25 cm. This rapid growth indicates
the plants' ability to absorb water and nutrients from the soil, synthesize photosynthesis, and
develop structural components.
The observation reveals that plant growth follows a predictable pattern: rapid initial growth,
followed by a gradual slowing. This pattern suggests that plants prioritize establishing a
strong root system and developing photosynthetic capabilities before investing in further stem
elongation. Additionally, the consistent moisture levels and daily watering ensured optimal
growth conditions, highlighting the importance of water availability in plant development.
Regular watering was crucial to maintain consistent moisture levels, allowing the plants to
absorb essential nutrients and carry out photosynthesis. Water scarcity would have limited
growth, causing stress, reduced leaf area, and potentially leading to plant death. Adequate
watering ensured healthy cell turgor pressure, supporting cell expansion and division.
External factors affecting plant growth include:
- Light intensity: Insufficient light would reduce photosynthesis, slowing growth.
- Temperature fluctuations: Extreme temperatures can damage or kill plants.
- Soil quality: Poor soil structure, pH, or nutrient deficiencies would limit growth.
- Pests or diseases: Infestations or infections could stunt or kill plants.
- Water scarcity: Drought conditions would severely impede growth.
These factors underscore the importance of controlling environmental conditions to optimize
plant growth.
It was ensured that:
1. The soil was kept consistently moist to prevent water stress and ensure optimal
growth conditions.
2. The plants were placed in a controlled environment, protected from direct sunlight,
extreme temperatures, and pests.
3. The measurement of plant heights was taken carefully to avoid damaging the
delicate
Sources of Error :
1. Human error in measuring plant heights, potentially leading to inaccurate
recordings.
2. Variations in soil quality or composition, affecting nutrient availability and plant
growth.
3. Uncontrolled environmental factors, such as temperature fluctuations or light
intensity changes.
Limitations :
1. The small size (5 plants ) may not accurately represent the growth patterns of the
larger population.
Conclusion:
This experiment demonstrated the rapid growth of red kidney bean plants under controlled
conditions. The results show a significant increase in plant height over the two-week period,
with an average growth rate of 1-3 cm per day. The data supports the importance of
consistent moisture levels and optimal environmental conditions for plant growth

Reflection:
This lab helped me understand that the findings of this study provide a foundation for further
investigations into plant growth and development.