Alexis’ question: Will blocking the leaves’ stomata with Vaseline kill those leaves?
Alexis’ procedures:
● On a pea plant, Alexis covers the underside of 3 leaves with Vaseline.
● On a sunflower, Alexis covers the underside of 3 leaves with Vaseline. All the other leaves of each plant are “normal” (no Vaseline).
● She gives both plants equal amounts of water and sunlight for 14 days.
Alexis’ observations:
● After 14 days, 2 of the pea plant’s Vaseline leaves had fallen off.
● After 14 days, all 3 of the sunflower’s Vaseline leaves had fallen off.
● She forgot to count how many of the “normal” leaves (no Vaseline) fell off of each plant.
Alexis’ conclusion:
● Vaseline on the underside of the leaves blocks the stomata and makes the leaves die and fall off
Analysis Questions – these need to be answered: (2pts each)
1. What is the independent variable?
2. What are 2 mistakes Alexis made in this lab?
3. What plant process stops if the stomata are not functioning?
