Caterpillar+On+Bean+Plants?+(+Science+Fair+Project)

H.Biology Caterpillar on Bean Plant (Science Fair Project) Jorge Calderin January 20, 2012

=Problem Statement:= The affect of a caterpillar on bean plants.

=Background Information: = An invasive species is any animal that invades an environment that they do not belong to, causing many affects. These affects will not just affect animals and forest life, but humans. These affects include: health, agriculture, tourism and forest life...etc. An invasive species is not always referring to animals. It can also be referring to a bacteria and/or virus. An animal will usually leave their environment due to temperature issues. Every animal has a tolerance to temperature. When their tolerance is met, they begin to move into a new environment; invading it. These animals do not have any major threats; allowing them to multiply in large numbers, bringing on the affects.

The bean plants growth is my dependent variable. The reason it is my dependent variable is because it's growth is relied on the amount of sunlight, water and soil it isin...etc. The bean plant is perfect for experiments because it grows rapidly. It can simply be grown in a wet paper towel. The germination process for a bean plant only takes one to two weeks. It takes about six weeks for the bean plant to enter the reproduction stage. This stage is also known as the flowering stage. When the bean plant is in this stage is when I will introduce the caterpillar to one of the containers. Observing how the plant grows being affected by an invasive species.

The container that the bean plant and the caterpillar are going to be held in is my independent variable, because the container does not change in regards tohow tall the bean plant grows or how the caterpillar reacts towards the bean plant. The container will have a screen top allowing both the plant and caterpillar to have oxygen. Allowing natural rain water to enter the container allowing the bean plant to grow naturally

The container will contain the bean plants, allowing them to be protected from any outside disturbance. It will protect it from other insects, non-fertile ground, competition for water between plants...etc. The container will also give the plant and caterpillar it's own ecosystem to live in. The container will also help me contain the caterpillar and freely observe it's behavior towards the bean plant.

The constants in this experiment (or the things that shouldn't be changed) are the amount of water, sunlight and soil I give to each bean plant. The size, width and length of the container. Also, how I treat each plant before and after the caterpillar is introduced to the bean plant.

The thing that is going to change in my independent variable (bean plant) is that one is going to be introduced to the caterpillar. I am going to place a caterpillar in one of the containers containing the bean plant and observe its actions towards the plant. The things I will be observing is how the bean plant grows and acts while being affected by the caterpillar. I am going to be using the other container to visually see the differences in how they are growing.

=**Materials**= 1) 2 Bean plants-to grow for experiment 2) 1 Bag of Soil-to ensure healthy plants 3) 1 Caterpillar-to become my invading animal 4) 2 Containers-to contain the plants and caterpillar 5) 1 ruler-to record the growth of the plant 6) 1 Journal-to record the data 7) Plastic(with holes)-to cover the containers 8) Water Jug-to water the plant 9) Gloves-when handling the caterpillar

=Procedures= First you're going to want to fertilize the bean plants.Second after the beans have been fertilized introduce them to the container, it should be cover with plastic with holes punched in them for the plants to breath. After a while record the data on how the plants are doing and how tall there are. You're going to also want to record how much and when you feed them water. after the plants have matured introduce the caterpillar to one of the tanks, make sure you wear gloves when handling the caterpillar. The caterpillar should feed off the bean plant, So record the data on how it feeds and acts.Your Results should be near the fact that the plant with the caterpillar should have trouble growing than the other one. =References:= My essay on biodiversity http://www.buzzle.com/articles/life-cycle-of-bean-plant.html