1. Microgravity and Plant Growth
Kaitlyn Bloch, John Gonzales: Co-principal investigators
Andrew Morganti: Science teacher, Holmes High School
Business Careers High School

2. How does microgravity affect the rate of cell division in plant cells?

3. Project Overview Growth (cell division) of radish plant
Differences between Earth and microgravity
Food for long flights

4. Research Gravitropism Starch-statolith hypothesis
Gravity triggers growth

5. Variables

6. Hypothesis: Without the force of gravity, plant cells will divide at a slower rate, but will not stop dividing completely.

7. Type 3 FME Mini-Lab Materials
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Cotton, 3 radish seeds
3mL of water/GA3 mix
3mL of formalin

8. Open the first clamp, shake Open the second clamp, shake Analyze
Procedure
Prepping the FME tubes
Step 1
Open the first clamp, shake
Step 2
Open the second clamp, shake
Step 3
Analyze
Step 4

9. Acknowledgments
We are very thankful to the following local and national partners who made this opportunity possible.
Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum
Center for the Advancement of Science in Space
National Center for Earth and Space Science Education
City of San Antonio
Northside Education Foundation
Whitacre Family Foundation
Southwest Research Institute
The University of Texas at San Antonio
National Defense Education Program/Cryptologic and Cyber Systems Division

10. Works Cited
Almeida, Eduardo. The Effects of Microgravity on Cells (n.d.): n. pag. NASA. Web.
Blancaflor, Elison B., and Patrick H. Masson. "Plant Gravitropism. Unraveling the Ups and Downs of a Complex Process." Plant Physiology. American Society of Plant Biologists, n.d. Web.
Dunbar, Brian. "Growing Plants and Vegetables in a Space Garden." NASA. NASA, 15 June Web.
Hangarter, Roger P. "Plant Tropic Responses." Plants In Motion. Indiana University, Department of Biology, n.d. Web.
Hund, Richard. "How Plants Sense Gravity -- a New Look at the Roles of Genetics and the Cytoskeleton." EurekAlert! AAAS, 4 Feb Web.
"Root and Stem Growth." Crescent Public Schools, n.d. Web.