Plant Physiology (Biology 327) - Dr. Stephen G. Saupe; College of St. Benedict/ St. John's University; Biology Department; Collegeville, MN 56321; (320) 363 - 2782; (320) 363 - 3202, fax; ssaupe@csbsju.edu |
Introduction
to Time Lapse Movies:
Documenting Plant Growth and Development
Objectives: Upon
completion of this laboratory you should be able to:
use the QuickCam Pro digital video camera
create and analyze a time lapse movie
design and conduct an experiment
document the growth and development of a plant
Overview & Introduction:
During
this lab we will study plant growth and development by making a time-lapse movie
with an inexpensive digital video camera (Logitech QuickCam Pro).
Although the images produced by these cameras are not "Discovery Channel" quality, they
are certainly adequate for many scientific investigations.
For more information about making time lapse movies and to see the
potential of these cameras and others, visit the excellent "Plants
in Motion" web site by Dr. Roger Hangarten, Indiana University.
Lab Activity:
Select a phenomenon to study. Choose a response that occurs
relatively
"quickly" - that is, can be observed in a few days or less.
One possibility is to film different stages of the life cycle of Rapid cycling Brassica
rapa (RCBr, Fast Plants). Alternatively,
you could investigate seed germination in various species, root growth,
gravitropism, phototropism, nutation, responses of sensitive plants, flower
blooming, twining of vines, imbibition of seeds, sleep
(rhythm) movements of bean or oxalis plants, sun-tracking, greening in
etiolated seedlings, awn movements of porcupine grass, flower opening,
guttation, and many others. Check
our text and other sources (i.e.,
Hart,1990) for ideas. Darwin's
treatise (1888) is a classic look at some plant movements.
Check out R. Hangarten's web site for additional suggestions and
procedures.
Complete
a Research Proposal form and
then meet with me to discuss it and have it approved.
Sign
up for a time to conduct your experiment.
Get started as soon as possible.
Don’t delay!
Do a dry run of your experiment.
Before you set up the camera and computer you will need to make sure
the basics of the experiment will work.
Gather supplies, grow your materials, and conduct the experiment
without recording. Once you
work out the "bugs,” then make the movie using our
QuickCam Pro.
Analyze the movie using ImageJ or other software program.
Assignment: At the conclusion of the experiment
Post your completed
movie in our Plant Physiology Public Folder.
Prepare
a standard lab report (and
Lab Report Checklist) that documents your project.
Be sure to include
a description of what you did (i.e., the
filming technique, lighting conditions, camera settings, identification of the
plant and the growth conditions), why you did it (i.e., physiological
background), what you observed (i.e., a description of what we will observe in
your movie, analysis of motion), and a brief analysis of the results (i.e., did you obtain the
anticipated results?). One report per group.
Prepare an oral report to share your results (including video). Tips for presenting an oral report are provided.
References:
Hangarter, Roger P. Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington. He has worked extensively with the QuickCam Pro and has an excellent web site complete with videos, ideas for experiments, and detailed directions for using the QuickCam camera and software. Click here to go to his web site.
Darwin, C. 1892. The Power of Movement in Plants. D. Appleton and Company, NY.
Hart, JW. 1990. Plant Tropisms and Other Growth Movements. Unwin Hyman, Boston.
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Last updated:
01/07/2009 © Copyright by SG
Saupe
Last updated:
01/07/2009
/ © Copyright by SG Saupe / URL:http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/ssaupe/index.html