Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello, and thank you for reading this. My science fair project is on testing (or viewing) the differences between genetically modified and non-genetically modified plant food sources. For example I plan on testing genetically modified and non-genetically modified tomatoes. Tomatoes are not the only specimens I would be testing though. My list also includes corn, wheat (if I can locate and buy any), apples, bananas, and mango (However, I do not know if apples, bananas or mangoes have been modified. I am working on researching these fruit.). The parameters I will be testing them against include 1. Shelf life 2. Growth (if seeds are obtained) 3. Cell structure. However, I would like several more parameters to test the organisms against, but I cannot think of any. I have researched for ideas but have be unable to locate any more websites. If anyone has any ideas or links, I would greatly appreciate the information. Thank you so much for your time and, hopefully, you're information. Have a great day. ~Mackenzie

HI Mackenzie,

I think you've already started off very well. By parameters, are you referring to independent variables? If yes, I think the 3 you have are an excellent starting point. Perhaps using scholar.google.com could yield some information as to what more advanced variables current studies in the field are considering. Otherwise, I'd recommend starting with these 3 tests and noting what you're more interested in through the course of your initial experimentation. Any specific parameter ideas so far?

Hope this helped.

Hello there,

You have already gotten some great advice, but I'd like to add some of my suggestions to that. I agree that those three parameters that you listed are already a great start, but of course if you'd like to look for more, a Google Scholar search for some papers/research on genetically-modified plants to see what has been done could give you some more ideas! I was wondering how you're exactly going to test the "growth" parameter (if seeds are obtained). For example, if you just leave a tomato in the refrigerator, it's not going to be spewing out seeds. Are you going to cut open the plant and compare the number of seeds between the genetically-modified and the non-genetically modified plant? For cell structure, are you going to be working with a mentor that can provide you lab space to prep the plant tissues and then a microscope for you to observe the tissues? Those would be important resources for you to compare the differences in cell structure of these different plants.

Hope that helped! Let us know if you have anymore questions.

Best,
Connie

Hello,
Thank you for your quick and timely responses. I will use the Google Scholars page to arrive with more ideas. I was unaware of it, so thank you for your information.

connief wrote:For cell structure, are you going to be working with a mentor that can provide you lab space to prep the plant tissues and then a microscope for you to observe the tissues? Those would be important resources for you to compare the differences in cell structure of these different plants.

I guess I should have mentioned this before, but I have access to my high school biology lab (we also have one for chemistry and physics). The lab includes multitudes of different microscopes, a PCR machine, and much more. My molecular biology teacher, whom is my mentor, has her Ph. D. in cellular and molecular biolog; so I feel rather confident in our ability to gain access to anything I may need in order to accomplish my project.

connief wrote:I was wondering how you're exactly going to test the "growth" parameter (if seeds are obtained). For example, if you just leave a tomato in the refrigerator, it's not going to be spewing out seeds. Are you going to cut open the plant and compare the number of seeds between the genetically-modified and the non-genetically modified plant?

In response, I'm going to test the "growth" parameter (if seeds are obtained) by actually growing the GM seeds and the non-GM seeds. While they are growing, I would compare, the speed and height, for example if it were wheat or corn.

Thank you so much for anything, and of course if you do think of anything else or find website please post them on here so I may look at them.
With much gratitude, ~Mackenzie