Microgravity and Plant Growth Kaitlyn Bloch John Gonzales

Microgravity and Plant Growth Kaitlyn Bloch, John Gonzales: Co-principal investigators Andrew Morganti: Science teacher, Holmes High School Business Careers High School

How does microgravity affect the rate of cell division in plant cells?

Project Overview • Growth (cell division) of radish plant • Differences between Earth and microgravity • Food for long flights

Research • Gravitropism • Starch-statolith hypothesis • Gravity triggers growth

Variables

Hypothesis: Without the force of gravity, plant cells will divide at a slower rate, but will not stop dividing completely.

Type 3 FME Mini-Lab Materials Volume 1 Cotton, 3 radish seeds Volume 2 3 m. L of water/GA 3 mix Volume 3 3 m. L of formalin

Procedure Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Prepping the FME tubes Open the first clamp, shake Open the second clamp, shake Analyze

Acknowledgments We are very thankful to the following local and national partners who made this opportunity possible. • • • Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum Center for the Advancement of Science in Space National Center for Earth and Space Science Education City of San Antonio Northside Education Foundation Whitacre Family Foundation Southwest Research Institute The University of Texas at San Antonio National Defense Education Program/Cryptologic and Cyber Systems Division

Works Cited • Almeida, Eduardo. The Effects of Microgravity on Cells (n. d. ): n. pag. NASA. Web. • Blancaflor, Elison B. , and Patrick H. Masson. "Plant Gravitropism. Unraveling the Ups and Downs of a Complex Process. " Plant Physiology. American Society of Plant Biologists, n. d. Web. • Dunbar, Brian. "Growing Plants and Vegetables in a Space Garden. " NASA, 15 June 2010. Web. • Hangarter, Roger P. "Plant Tropic Responses. " Plants In Motion. Indiana University, Department of Biology, n. d. Web. • Hund, Richard. "How Plants Sense Gravity -- a New Look at the Roles of Genetics and the Cytoskeleton. " Eurek. Alert! AAAS, 4 Feb. 2013. Web. • "Root and Stem Growth. " Crescent Public Schools, n. d. Web.