Experimental setup and data analysis A student wanted to see whether plant transpiration really occurs because of water loss at the leaves. They design an experiment in which they will find the transpiration rate of a plant with leaves, and then they will cut off all of the leaves and determine the transpiration rate. The student started the experiment using a sunflower plant in the setup described above. Volume readings were taken at 5 minute intervals for a total of 20 minutes. Then the student removed all of the leaves from the plant. Volume readings were taken again at 5 minute intervals for 20 minutes. The tables below show the data that the student collected for this experiment. (will attach copies) Using the experiment described above and the data in the two tables, answer the following questions. Submit a PDF of your answers. 1. Calculate the transpiration rate (change in volume over time) for each five-minute interval for each condition. The transpiration rate is reported as ml/min, so be sure to calculate the rate as (Volume A - Volume B / 5 minutes). Then calculate the mean transpiration rate for each condition. **Note that while the volume decreases over each time interval, we report the transpiration rate as a positive value since it is with respect to the plant (i.e. the plant is drawing up, not losing, water)** (1 pt) a. Mean transpiration rate: With leaves b. Mean transpiration rate: After removal of leaves 2. The student ran this experiment to test whether plant transpiration occurs because of water loss at the leaves. What should the student conclude based on the data from this experiment? Explain. (1 pt) 3. Think about the experimental setup. (0.5 pt each) a. Why was it better to collect data for four 5-minute time intervals instead of only one 5-minute period? b. Which condition was the control condition? Why is it important to have a control? c. How could this student improve their experimental design? List at least two ways. 4. Say you ran another experiment using the same starting setup. Using what you have learned about plant structure and the process of transpiration, describe the effect of each of the following conditions and predict how the transpiration rate would change. (0.5 pt each) a. You cover the leaf in petroleum jelly, which forms a layer impermeable to gas and water vapor b. You turn on a fan to create a slight breeze c. You increase the humidity in the room 5. Say a friend wants to know if the transpiration rate is different between a sunflower and a moss. They want to perform the same type of experiment as described above and want your advice as to whether it will work. What would you tell them, and why? (1 pt)