Sugared Leaves
How do nutrients transport through the stems of plants? This experiment shows the answer.
Things Required:
2 fresh stalks of celery with leaves (the pale inner stalks from the bunch is best)
2 glasses
Sugar
Measuring spoon -tablespoon (15 ml)
Masking tape
Marking pen
Directions:
Fill each glass one-half full with water. Add 4 spoons of sugar to one of the glasses. Label the glass sweet making a label from a piece of masking tape. Place a stalk of celery in the sweet glass.
Label the second glass water. Place the second celery stalk in the water glass. Wait for 48 hours. Taste the leaves from each celery stalk.
Use the results of this experiment to help you explain how nutrients in the soil reach the leaves of plants.
This Is What Happens:
The leaves on the celery standing in the sweet water taste sweet and those of the celery in the water do not.
Science Behind It:
Water moves up the stems of plants through tiny tubes called xylem tubes. Anything small enough to dissolve in the water can be carried up the stem to the leaves.
Nutrients in the soil that are able to dissolve in ground water are transported by the water through the xylem tubes in the plant stem and out to the cells of each leaf.
Note: Never taste anything in a laboratory setting unless you are sure that there are no harmful chemicals or materials. Some plants have poisonous leaves. This experiment is safe since only celery and sugar are present.
