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2008 Examination Results
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An Experiment on Seed and Fruit Dispersal
Posted Date:
27 Apr 2008
Total Responses:
0
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Posted By: CONFIDENCE IS THE COMPANION OF SUCCESS
Member Level: Diamond Posted Date: 27 Apr 2008
Revenue Score: 
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Terms, Concepts and Questions to Start Background Research
Terms
* seed
* fruit
* wind dispersal
* water dispersal
* animal dispersal
Concepts
* the relationship between seed shape, mass, size and dispersal method
* the relationship between fruits and seeds
Questions
* What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of dispersal?
* Is a fruit or a seed more likely to be dispersed by the wind
Materials and Equipment
* fruit and/or seed examples from sunflowers, dandelions, maple trees, coconuts, apples, peas, nuts
* supplies to construct artificial "fruit" or "seeds" (paper, tape, scissors, glue, pipe cleaners)
* window or large fan
* meter stick or tape measure
* stop watch
* marker
* an assistant
* a video camera (not required, but it may help to analyze the data and enrich your observations)
Experimental Procedure
1. Investigate different types of fruits and seeds. Take notice of fruit or seed shape and size and research how each is dispersed. Is there a relationship between the structure of the fruits and seeds and how they are dispersed? Record your observations in your lab notebook.
2. Experiment with several sunflower fruits (commonly called "sunflower seeds") by constructing different wind dispersal mechanisms for the fruit. Focus on what shape and size will allow your fruit to travel the farthest and stay aloft for the longest amount of time.
3. After you have made several different models, evaluate each fruit's dispersal characteristics according to the following procedure:
* Set up the fan on a table blowing horizontally across the room.
* Establish a standard drop site above the fan and set up a tape measure along the floor beneath the fan.
* If you are using a video camera, set up the camera to record the complete flight.
* Each fruit model should be dropped at least four times from the same point above the fan. Experiment with your set-up to find the best height, then use that height consistently for all trials.
* Record the time aloft and the distance traveled for each trial.
* Average the time aloft and distance traveled for each fruit.
4. Graph your results.
5. Is there a correlation between maximum time aloft and the distance each fruit traveled?
6. Example Data Table:
Seed Dispersal Example Data Table
Time Aloft
(s) Distance Traveled
(cm) Average Time Aloft
(s) Average Distance Traveled
(cm)
Control #1 (no wings added) Trial #1
Trial #2
Trial #3
Trial #4
Model #1 Trial #1
Trial #2
Trial #3
Trial #4
Model #2 Trial #1
Trial #2
Trial #3
Trial #4
Variations
* Experiment with different masses or shapes or sizes of seeds to determine the best shaped seed for wind dispersal.
* Focus on a different mode of dispersal (water) and conduct an experiment to see what size and shape of fruit or seed is dispersed best by water.
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