The purpose of this activity is to allow you to work with materials that will allow you to attempt cloning.

You will need to do the following:

• Formulate a hypothesis.
• Make observations and measurements.
• Collect and record data using procedures designed to minimize error.
• Report results honestly.
• Construct a graph.

Background for this activity:
Review the history of cloning found on the previous sci-ber text page.

Summary:

You will make a hypothesis about plant propagation. Next you will attempt asexual plant propagation. This activity requires that you observe your cutting daily and make observations as needed (including drawing changes you observe at least once a week and measure any differences as they appear.) You should report measurement differences in a table showing the amount of the root growth each week.

Materials needed for the activity:

• scissors
• plant for cutting (coleus or creeping charlie are recommended)
• small test tube or bottle
• water
• A copy of the student worksheet to record data on.

Safety concerns:

Students, be sure to keep all Chemical , Glass, and Sharp instrument Safety Rules that are specified by your teacher and in all general laboratory experiences.

Procedures:

* Fill test tube or bottle 2/3 full of water.
* Cut a 15 cm. length of stem from your assigned plant (with leaves still attached).
It is important to know which end of the plant stem was closest to the plant!
* remove leaves starting at the end of the plant stem that was closest to the plant - stopping when you have ONLY 2 leaves left on the plant. (See animated image on this page for visual demonstration of what to do.)

• Insert plant stem into water of test tube
• Check daily
• add water as needed to keep it at the same level.
• make observations daily...noting changes on your sheet
• once you see any roots growing, measure them once a week.
• draw your cutting once a week

Questions:

1. Why did your plant develop roots if it did?

2. Why did your plant not develop roots if it did not?

3. What part of the cell allowed it to develop roots ?

4. What other organisms do you think would work for this type of an activity?