Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN: I am a sophomore doing a project on the change in guard cells diameter and transpiation under various light levels. firstly, if i knew about this site you could've helped me with my research paper but i guess its to late. it was going to be entitled guard cells but i had to broaden it to plants. Anyways i need a facility that would allow me to use their microscopes and perhaps lablights. i have been contacting many local colleges but their biomedical service line closes at 4:30 and i cant get a hold of them because i am at basketball practice. Well it would be great help if anyone could send me information about any places in Los Angeles, CA( near Rowland Hts). another question i would like to ask is how can i successfully relate the change in guard cell diameter with the transpiration rate. which is the best way to test transpiration? i have so many other questions but this is all i can think of. please get back to me as soon as possible. I NEED HELP! thank you so much.-liliane

Hi Liliane,

I saw that no one has responded to your post yet so thought I'd give it a shot. Better late than never!

First, I am not familiar with any places that would be of interest to you in the L.A. area. But if it's simply a matter of calling in at the right time, you should have someone else (either your parent, relative, or a friend) inquire for you.

As for the relationship between the change in guard cell diameter with the transpiration rate, I found the following articles that you could look at to get some ideas from:

http://www-saps.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/records/rec181.htm

This article is more of a detailed explanation:

http://employees.csbsju.edu/SSAUPE/biol ... change.htm