In a bid to develop a hypothesis and plan an experiment, I listed several things I would like to know within my surrounding; why a plant curves towards a window, why a plant can not grow towards gravity, why the lateral buds of most plants fail to develop and elongate in a similar way as apical bud and whether bacteria is everywhere. Among them, I realized that a bean plant growing in a room with only one window on one side of the room was taller and curved towards the window. I required understanding the roots of this behavior. I listed that light was coming from one direction hence the curve and lengthening towards the light (Hoot 2009). There was no wind inside the room so the differences in pressure between the inner side of the room and the outside could have caused the curvature. There was also a possibility that since more fresh air was entering through the window, the bean plant lengthened and curved towards the window for better aeration. I formed a statement that described what I wanted to know. I stated that when placed in light from one direction, a bean plant does not grow upright and healthy (Hoot 2009). To get the reasons why the bean plant failed to grow upright and healthy, I formed a hypothesis that could help assess the situation.
I made a hypothesis that light from all direction is necessary for upright and healthy growth. I appreciated this hypothesis because it is testable hence valid (Stoker 2012). I can arrange for a test that could incorporate 4 setups. One would be a controlled experiment and the rest would test the influence of the conditions. On the control experiment, there would be a seed grown at normal aeration, sunlight, and wind conditions. Three long, opaque and covered cylindrical containers (for instance 30 centimeter long container) could be used for the other setups. All should have a viable bean seed planted centrally on watered soil preferably. The first container has an opening made centrally at the top penetrating light and enhancing air circulation. The other container with an opening of the same radius as the previous one but at middle of its height and on one side allowing aeration and light penetration. Lastly, the third container that is almost similar to the latter, but with the opening replaced by a transparent covering allowing light in and preventing air circulation. Also, making an opening above the soil level allowing air circulation but preventing light passage is necessary. I could then leave the experiment for two weeks to give time allowance for growth.
I could then observe what happens. According to my hypothesis, if the light comes from one direction, a plant will not be upright and healthy. If this hypothesis is true, I expect to find unhealthy or/and curved bean plants in the containers after two weeks. If a plant does not grow with similar attributes as in the control experiment, then there was some modification that occurred. In case light from one direction leads to the curvature, I expect that all bean plants in the container will grow towards the light rapidly (Hoot 2009). Therefore, the first setup would, in this case, grow upright and unhealthy in search of light. The other two setups would curve towards the light. If they grow towards the light by curving, we would conclude that the indifference in pressure and the fresh air issue are not valid. This is because the third container had not allowed for aeration and interaction between the pressures in and out of the container. Light and air were not coming from the same point. Light alone would lead to the curvature that would, therefore, support the hypothesis. If the results are contrary to this argument, then the hypothesis is not correct (James 2012).
In conclusion, this plan would help go to the laboratory, list the samples, apparatus and materials required to test the above hypothesis. I can then setup the experiment to make and record the observations proving or refuting my hypothesis.
Works cited
Hoot, Sara. “Charles Darwin: Botanist.” National Center for Science Education. 29.1 (2009). Web.
James, Westgard. “Selecting a method to validate.” Westgard QC. 12.6 (2012). Web.
Stoker, Stephen. General, Organic and Biological Chemistry. Brooks/Cole Publishing Company. 2012. Print.