Biology Lab Report

All procedures for this lab was obtained from the Marshall University BSC 121 Principles of Biology for Majors Laboratory Manual (Weinstein, 2015). On September 22, students in biology 121 section 101 obtained nine pots to plant their respected peas. Once the pots were obtained, students placed paper towels in the bottom of the plots to keep the vermiculite from falling out. When the paper towels were placed in the pots, they were then filled up ¾ of the way full with vermiculite, and were watered adequately. Four shallow holes were then created with a finger, and were filled with peas. It should be noted that the four holes were spaced evenly throughout the pot and visible from the top. Each pot then received an ½ inch of standing water. The

The amount of auxin the pots in the class received was 0, 500, and 5,000 ppm. After labeling was completed the leaf scales were inspected by gently holding the tip of each seedling. The tip of each seed was then cut using a razor blade obtained, and provided by the laboratory instructors. The lab groups then applied either 0, 500, or 5,000 ppm of auxin to the top of each stem that was cut using a toothpick. After the tips were cut, and the respected ppm of auxin was applied, the plants were then stored back into the completely dark cabinet for two

The Wilcoxon test was used based off of the fact that it compares two variables, and the data sets do not need to be equal in number. The Wilcoxon test compared the control group (0ppm) and 500pm, control group and 5,000 ppm, and 500 and 5,000 ppm. The equation for calculating Wilcoxon statistic, or test, is W1= n1(N+1)-W. n1 represents the number of data points with the fewest data points. N represents the total number of data points between the groups being compared, and W represents the sum of the total ranks with the group with the least data points. After the Wilcoxon statistics were calculated they were recorded in table 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 in the laboratory manual. Once the Wilcoxon statistics were obtained, students then determined if the data was significantly important. This was determined by finding the calculated value and determining the data for N1 and N2. The calculated value was obtained by the students by comparing W and W1. The smallest number was then used as the calculate value. N1 was obtained by using the lower average stem length, and N2 was obtained by using the number of data points for the compared data. Once N1 and N2 values were obtained, students looked up the critical values utilized table 7.6 in the laboratory manual. Once the calculated value and critical values were obtained, students