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Gibberellic Acid

Plant growth can occur by two different cellular processes. A plant may grow by producing new cells or by cell elongation. Factors affecting plant growth include amount and quality of water, light, and soil. Other factors may include pollution, population density (competition for resources), and genetics. Plant growth can be enhanced by people adding fertilizers and other chemicals to plants. Like people, plants have hormones that also affect growth. Hormones are chemicals that cause certain physiological changes, such as growth and ripening. Hormones that stimulate plant growth by producing new cells are called cytokines. Cytokines cause cells to undergo cytokines is (cell division) by stimulating production of proteins needed for mitosis. There are two types of hormones that stimulate plant growth by cell elongatgion: Auxins and Gibberellins.

Controlled experiments are experiments where only one variable is different. Scientist perform controlled experiments in order to collect information under controlled conditions, usually in a laboratory. Controlled experiments involve a group in which all variables are the same and an experimental group in which all variables are the same with the exception of the one variable that is being tested for (called the independent variable). An independent variable is the only variable that affects the outcome of the experiment. In addition there is a dependent which results from the independent variable, It is something that can measured to determine the outcome of the experiment. For example, in the plant experiment there are two plants that are identical in every way (each in its own pot). They get the same amounts of water and sunlight at the same time of day and have been planted in the same kind and amount of soil. To one of these plants gibberellic acid (the independent variable) is added and to the other it is not. The one to which it is added is the experimental and the one not treated with gibberellic acid is the control. If there is any difference in growth rate (the dependent variable), the difference can be attributed to the gibberellic acid only because everything else was exactly the same.

Gibberillic Acid

This project is supported, in part, by the National Science Foundation Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the National Science Foundation.