Question

Seedlings of the parasitic plant Cuscuta pentagona (dodder) hunt by directing growth preferentially toward nearby host plants. Lacking eyes, or even nervous system, how do they detect their victims? To investigate the possibility that the parasite detects volatile chemicals produced by host plants, Runyon et al. (2006) placed individual doddler seddlings into avail of water at the center of a circular paper disc. A chamber containing alfa-pinene, and solvents was placed at one edge of the disc, whereas a control chamber containing only solvent was placed at the opposite end. The researchers divided the disc onto equal-area quadrats to record in which direction the seedling grew. Of 34 doddler plants teste, 11 seedlings grew toward the volatiles, 6 grew away (opposite direction), 8 grew toward the left side and 9 grew toward the right side. What are the conclusion of the experiment. Detail all the steps you make to reach your conclusion.

Answer 1