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Results Summarized |
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This experiment involved placing germinating seeds (bean and radish) in a hostile, artificial environment, which contained free radicals (created by hydrogen peroxide). Different vitamins (vitamin A, C and E) were used on groups of seeds to study their protective effects as antioxidants. There were five groups of three Petri Dishes. The first group of three was saturated with Water; the second group was saturated with Hydrogen Peroxide; the third group with the liquid content of a vitamin A capsule, the forth with the liquid content of a vitamin E capsule, and the fifth one with diluted ascorbic acid. All groups were then saturated with 5ml of hydrogen peroxide, creating free radicals. Finally, each Petri Dish was filled with either 50 radish seeds, or 15 bean seeds. All of the groups were placed under a growing light, and the seed germination was recorded, in order to establish which vitamin (antioxidant) protected plant cells the best against free radicals. Several trials were repeated, in order to insure that the results were valid, and consistent. Radish Seed Germination Trials During the experiment, in all radish seed germination trials, vitamin A was consistently the vitamin that allowed the most seed germination, with an 89.5% of seeds germinated in total. Vitamin E allowed the 2nd most seed germination at 82%. Vitamin C was the vitamin that germinated the least amount of radish seeds. However, overall, it was hydrogen peroxide that germinated the least amount of seeds with a 69% total germination. In addition, in the overall results of the radish seed trials, the group containing solely 5ml of water, and 5ml of hydrogen peroxide (no antioxidants) allowed the most germination to occur. Bean Seed Germination Trials During the experiment, in all bean seed germination trials, vitamin A was consistently the vitamin that allowed the most seed germination, with a 66.67% of seeds germinated in total. Vitamin E allowed the 2nd most seed germination, at 82%. Vitamin C was the vitamin that germinated the least amount of bean seeds. However overall, it was hydrogen peroxide that germinated the most amounts of seeds with a 69% total germination. This was not expected, but possible explanations can be found in the discussion. In addition, in the overall results of the bean seed trials, the group containing solely 5ml of water, and 5ml of hydrogen peroxide (no antioxidants) tied with vitamin A for the group that germinated the most seeds, at 66.67%.
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