My AP Biology class is exploring alpha amylase production in germinating barley seeds. There are three treatments the seeds, or more specifically the half-grains, are put in.
1) half grains with no embryo and no GA
2) half grains with an embryo present
3) half grains with no embryo president but with added GA
Questions I have to answer:
1. What is being explored between treatments one and two of the experiment?
2. What is being explored between treatments two and three of the experiment?
3. For each of the three treatments hypothesize as to the relative amylase content that will be produced and provide a justification.
So I know that GA is a plant hormone that stimulates growth but I don't understand how it specifically applies here. I also know that when the grain absorbs water living cells become active and the endosperm produces the amylase to break down the starch to feed the embryo.
I don't understand though how GA works in amylase production and if having the embryo makes a difference in the amount of amylase produced. Right now I'm leaning toward treatment 3 producing the most amylase, treatment 1 producing somewhere in the middle, and treatment 2 producing the least amount of amylase? Thoughts?
I'm sorry I made a mistake. Under "questions I have to answer" for question 2 the correction is...
2. What is being explored between treatments one and three.