BIOLOGY LAB REPORT

Investigate the difference between mango leaves that are exposed to sunlight and leaves that are not exposed to sunlight.

Name: Aqeel Jariwalla School: Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School, Tanzania Candidate Number: 002582-020 Teacher: Mr. Tom Puro

Candidate Name: Aqeel Jariwalla Candidate Number: 002582-020

Research Question: Investigate the difference between leaves that are exposed to sunlight and leaves that are not exposed to sunlight. Background information: T-test is a means through which several scientists determine whether there is a significant difference between the means of two populations. These populations can include anything from leaves to tree circumferences and furthermore. It is used to compare whether those two populations are significantly different or similar. The value of t varies directly with the extent of the difference between the means of the two populations. Hence a larger value of t signifies a larger difference in the means. For the value of t to be calculated, the means and the standard deviations of the two samples ought to be considered first. The formula for calculating t is as follows;

Where stands for the mean of each of the populations, S is the standard deviation and n stands for the number of elements present in the populations. Hypothesis: It was predicted that those leaves that are exposed to the sun would have a smaller length while those that were not exposed to the sun will have a greater length. This is simply because those not exposed to the sun will grow more to be able to receive more sunlight for photosynthesis. Variables: Independent Variables: The nature of the leaves that were used (One group being exposed to the sun and the other being shaded away from it)

Dependent Variables: The length (diameter) of the leaves that were used

Control Variables: Number of leaves in each area which were picked

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Candidate Name: Aqeel Jariwalla Candidate Number: 002582-020

Time of day at which the leaves were picked Type of tree

Materials Used:

Recording Sheet TI-84+ Calculator 30 cm ruler (0.10) 20 leaves from the sunny region 20 leaves from the shady region (away from the sun)

Procedure: 1. Pick out 20 leaves that are unexposed to sunlight and 20 leaves that are exposed to sunlight from the same plant. 2. The length of each of the leaves was measured with the help of a 30 cm ruler. 3. The data collected was then recorded. 4. The mean of the lengths of those leaves collected from the sunny area was calculated alongside the mean of the lengths of those leaves collected from the shady area. 5. The standard deviation of the two samples was calculated 6. The mean of the two samples was compared by calculating its t-value Data Collection: Raw Data: Table showing the lengths of 20 leaves from the two areas of the plant: Exposed leaves length (0.1 cm)
25.8 23.0 23.2 23.9 26.6 24.0 26.1

Not exposed leaves length (0.1 cm)

16.6 20.9 17.6 18.3 18.9 22.6 21.2 3

Candidate Name: Aqeel Jariwalla Candidate Number: 002582-020 25.2 25.2 24.7 22.9 23.6 22.8 23.6 22.2 22.0 22.6 24.2 22.1 21.3 24.0 18.5 17.5 19.5 19.5 17.6 20.5 23.8 21.6 21.2 21.6 20.3 21.7

Leaf length of Exposed and Unexposed Leaves

30 25 Length (cm) 20 Exposed leaves length (0.1 cm) 15 10 5 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Unexposed leaves length (0.1 cm)

Data Processing: With the help of a calculator, the mean of each of the two samples was obtained. Leaves exposed to sunlight: Formula (X)/n= 474/20= 23.75 Leaves unexposed to sunlight: Formula (Y)/n= 403.4/20= 20.17
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Candidate Name: Aqeel Jariwalla Candidate Number: 002582-020

The standard deviations of the two samples were then obtained The formula for obtaining standard deviation of leaves exposed to sunlight is as follows (X - X2)2(cm2)

X (Length of leaf/cm) (0.1cm)

X2(Mean Length of Leaves/cm) (0.1cm)

X - X2 (cm)

25.8 23.0 23.2 23.9 26.6 24.0 26.1 25.2 25.2 24.7 22.9 23.6 22.8 23.6 22.2 22.0 22.6 24.2

23.75 23.75 23.75 23.75 23.75 23.75 23.75 23.75 23.75 23.75 23.75 23.75 23.75 23.75 23.75 23.75 23.75 23.75

2.05 -0.75 -0.55 0.15 2.85 0.25 2.35 1.45 1.45 0.95 -0.85 -0.15 -0.95 -0.15 -1.55 -1.75 -1.15 0.45

4.20 0.56 0.30 0.02 8.12 0.625 5.52 2.10 2.10 0.90 0.72 0.02 0.90 0.02 2.40 3.06 1.32 0.20
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Candidate Name: Aqeel Jariwalla Candidate Number: 002582-020

22.1 21.3

23.75 23.75

-1.65 -2.45

2.72 6.0

(X -X2)2= 27.93

(Sx) 2=

= 27.3/19 = 1.47

Sx (Standard deviation for sample X) = 1.47 The formula for obtaining the standard deviation of leaves unexposed to sunlight is as follows; (Y - Y2)2 (cm2)

Y(Length of leaf/cm) (0.1cm)

16.6 20.9 17.6 18.3 18.9 22.6 21.2 24.0 18.5 17.5 19.5 19.5

Y2 (Mean length of leaves/cm) (0.1 cm) 20.17 20.17 20.17 20.17 20.17 20.17 20.17 20.17 20.17 20.17 20.17 20.17

Y - Y2 (cm)

-3.57 0.73 -2.57 -1.87 -1.27 2.43 1.03 3.83 -1.67 -2.67 -0.67 -0.67

12.7 0.53 6.6 3.51 1.61 5.90 1.06 14.7 2.79 7.13 0.45 0.45
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Candidate Name: Aqeel Jariwalla Candidate Number: 002582-020 17.6 20.5 23.8 21.6 21.2 21.6 20.3 21.7

20.17 20.17 20.17 20.17 20.17 20.17 20.17 20.17

-2.57 0.33 3.63 1.43 1.03 1.43 0.13 1.53

6.6 0.11 13.2 2.04 1.06 2.04 0.017 2.34

(y y2)2 = 40.09 (Sy) 2=

= 40.09/19 = 2.11

Sy (standard deviation for sample Y) = 2.11

Finding the t-value:

Candidate Name: Aqeel Jariwalla Candidate Number: 002582-020

Calculating the degree of freedom:

Data Presentation: Mean length of sample X/cm (0.1cm) 23.75 Mean length of sample Y/cm (0.1 cm) 20.17

Average leaf length of Sample X and Y

2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 Standard deviation of sample X/cm (0.1 cm) Standard deviation of sample Y/cm (0.1 cm)

Mean length of leaves

Candidate Name: Aqeel Jariwalla Candidate Number: 002582-020

Standard deviation of sample X/cm (0.1 cm) Standard deviation of sample Y/cm (0.1 cm) 1.47 2.11

Standard Deviation of leaves

2.5 2.11 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 Standard deviation of sample X/cm (0.1 cm) Standard deviation of sample Y/cm (0.1 cm) 1.47

Conclusion:

To conclude, the calculations above show that my data values are valid since the p-value in my investigation is greater than the critical value; hence a significant difference is present. Therefore, my hypothesis supports the theory that comparatively, the lengths of leaves from area B would be lesser than the leaves from area A of the same plant. According to the table of results and the graphs it is thus seen that the average lengths of the plant is higher in area A compared to those from area B of the plant. This is because the leaves from area A of the plant are left in their natural environment to flourish and can sustain themselves well with the perfect environmental balance. The presence of other vegetation, adequate amount of sunlight and rainfall, the temperature/climate, availability of water, the amount of minerals found in the soil are factors that help create a more natural surrounding for the plant. On the other hand, the leaves from area B of the same plant were
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Candidate Name: Aqeel Jariwalla Candidate Number: 002582-020

limited to a specific growth rate since they receive little or no direct sunlight. Due to such reasons, the leaf lengths will not be as large as those picked from area A Therefore, the leaves that were picked from area A of the plant have greater length than those from area B. In conclusion, the hypothesis is supported by my calculations which lead to a significant difference between the average leaf lengths of plant in the two different areas. Evaluation: Uncertainties: During the investigation, there were factors affecting our results which caused uncertainties. These were: 1. The measurement of 1 meter above the ground (+/- 1% uncertainty) 2. Leaf measurement errors (+/-1%) 3. T test and other calculations accuracy errors (+/-1%) 4. General accuracy errors therefore account to an estimate of 3% Only 20 leaves were taken from each region. More leaves should have been picked in order to compare the two means to a greater accuracy. The leaves that were picked from the shady area were not completely shaded from the sunlight. Some light could still reach those leaves but to a lesser extent. This error cannot be corrected since light cannot be stopped from reaching the leaves. The Leaves that were picked were cut off from the plants therefore it was difficult to measure the length of these leaves to a great accuracy. A knife or a pair of scissors could have been used to cut the leaves instead of cutting them manually to ensure precision in measuring the length of the leaves. Light is not the only factor that influences the growth of the leaves. Factors such as auxin hormone concentration, water, humidity should have been taken into consideration. These factors could have been measured to ensure greater accuracy of the results. A great variation of leaves could have been picked. Leaves could have been picked from different surroundings around the school to ensure greater variation between the two samples. The diverse range of leaves would produce a more accurate measure of the data.

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Candidate Name: Aqeel Jariwalla Candidate Number: 002582-020

Bibliography: "Values of the T-distribution (two-tailed)." MedCalc Statistical Software. Web. 23 Mar. 2011. <http://www.medcalc.org/manual/t-distribution.php>.

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