Plantango: Plants in Space

Student Plant Growth Investigation on the International Space Station
Ground Control Plants vs. Plants in Space, First Planting (Brassica rapa)

For Plants in Space investigation information, go to www.BioEdOnline.org

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Plants
• Space
• ISS
• International Space Station
• NSBRI
• Fandango
• BioServe Space Technologies
• BioEd
• Bolero
• Ravel
• Dancing Plants
• microgravity
• experiments
• time-lapse
• growth
• roots
• stem

[pelicanlivia]

In each of the space vials I see only one root, pointed left. Perhaps there are two more just below the surface of the water. I do not know if the tops are waving around in different directions in the space vials because the ISS is moving. FYI: beneath the land vials are the words "Plants in Space." I would change that beneath the land vials. I am the person that Baylor contacted for use of a spider photo. Then a staff member photographed a male and female in the same web.

[BioEdOnline]

@pelicanlivia Good observations! The seeds in each vial are oriented in different directions (facing downward, sideways and up, from left to right). This may be a factor in the direction of root growth in microgravity. The plants are growing in a transparent gel. The apparent waving of the plants (also visible on Earth) is typical of growing seedlings.

[pelicanlivia]

I do not understand the difference between the ground control and space plants. Please could you explain?

[BioEdOnline]

@pelicanlivia Normally, on Earth, plants roots sense the pull of gravity and grow downward into the soil. Roots also grow away from blue-white light. In space, the orienting effect of gravity is absent, so plant roots may not grow into their nutrient medium. This experiment looks at whether blue-white light can be used to direct roots in the proper direction in space. The seeds on ISS are oriented in three different directions (facing down, sideways and up) within each flask.

[pelicanlivia]

In each of the space vials I see only one root, pointed left. Perhaps there are two more just below the surface of the water. I do not know if the tops are waving around in different directions in the space vials because the ISS is moving. FYI: beneath the land vials are the words "Plants in Space." I am an obsessive editor. I would change beneath the land vials. I am the person that Baylor contacted for use of a spider photo. Then a staff member photographed a male and female in the same web.