Activity on biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances

Aim:  To study Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable substances

Materials Required: Two pots, soil, plastic, polythene, aluminum foils,  canes, plants & animal waste, waste papers

Procedure:-

1.     Take two pots  half filled with soil,

2.     label them – Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable,

3.     Put plastic polythene, aluminum foils in non biodegradable pot.

4.     Put plant and  animal waste in – Biodegradable pot

5.     Record changes occur in these pots at least for 6 days

6.     Take images showing  the top view
                                         Non- Biodegradable substances

                                                           Biodegradable substances                                                                    
Observations:

1.     No change in the Non- biodegradable pot

2.     Bio degradable substances break down naturally.

Comments

1.   Biodegradable waste is waste that can break down by biological processes into natural components and be recycled naturally by the action of bacteria or other saprophytes. Examples are old vegetables / food, paper, cardboard, deceased animals, and phyto plastics (special plastics that break down when exposed to the sun after some time) etc.

2.   Non biodegradable waste is waste that does not break down into natural components and exists in the environment for a long time or may harm the various members of the eco- system.. Examples would be tyres, plastics, electronic components, metals etc.

Hypogeal and Epigeal Germination

Aim: To show Epigeal / Hypogeal Germination

Materials Required: Pot with soil, Bean or Gram seeds, water

Procedure :-  put 5-6 seeds in the soil sprinkle water. Click photographs from initial absorption of water to the seedling's emergence from the ground. Paste  images showing stops of germination  in the file.

Observations:-

                                                                             

Germination is the process by which a plant grows from a smaller seed (or "germ") into a larger, mature plant.

There are two types of germination depending on whether the cotyledons are lifted above ground or remain below ground: epigeal and hypogeal.

Epigeal Germination (Dicots) 
 In epigeal (epi=above) germination, the hypocotyl (hypocotyl is the stem below the cotyledons) pushes the cotyledons above ground. * The cotyledons function as leaves until the true leaves emerge.
* Example - bean, canola Draw diagram in the file

Hypogeal Germination (Dicot) 

 In hypogeal germination, the cotyledons remain below ground.
The epicotyl (stem above the cotyledons) grows and raises the plumule out of the soil.
Example – pea,gram

 Draw this diagram in the file

Experiments on Seed Germination

Aim: Experimental Set up to show conditions essential for germination.

Materials Required: Beaker/glass, Glass strip/ scale, 3 bean/gram seeds, water

Procedure: Take three dry bean or gram seeds of equal sizes and tie them on a scale of 6’” inches in a line as shown in the figure. Place this strip in a beaker and pour water till the middle bean or gram is half immersed in water. Leave the set up at room temperature. For -4 days and observe.

Observation: You will observe that only the middle seed germinates properly with the shoot and root. The top seed above the water will not germinate at all and the one totally immersed in water will give out only a small radicle.

Comments:

1.    This is an experimental set up to study conditions essential for germination.

2.     Only the middle seed germinates normally as it gets sufficient water, oxygen and temperature.

3.     The topmost seed does not germinate as it does not get water. It gets only oxygen and temperature.

4.    The lower most seed is immersed in water. It gets enough water and temperature but not enough air. Hence it gives out only a small radicle.