Download Carrying Capacity Lab - Parkway C-2

Name:_______________________________
Period:__________Date:________________
CARRYING CAPACITY LAB (= CCL)
Carrying capacity is an important environmental science idea. Carrying capacity is the maximum
number or size something can reach depending on the environment it’s in. Various things can
affect carrying capacity and we’ll try to explore water’s effect on the carrying capacity of Great
Northern Bean seeds.
Pre-Lab:
Lab:
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See “CCL Experimental Design Diagram” sheet (on back).
Fill cup with soil nearly up to the top.
Place three seeds 2 cm below the surface after making an equally spaced hole for each.
Cover holes with soil, then water with proper amount of water fill in trial data table.
Trial Data Table
Day #
1
2
3
4
Height (cm)
# of leaves
Observations
… be
detailed
Post-Lab: Using another page in your notebook, restate the questions asked, be detailed,
and use complete sentences.
1. What are some sources of error in this experiment? (hint: think about the constants)
2. Compare and contrast the plants in your cup to those of other groups – be detailed.
3. Explain whether the results of the experiment (in the CLASS DATA TABLE) support or
do not support your hypothesis.
**Remember …you must ALWAYS use DATA (info and #’s) from the data table and
graph as evidence to explain for your answer.)