Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

How can I measure patellar reflexes for my science experiment? (I assume they must be measured, if I say that they are affected by certain stimuli.)

Hi,

Can you be a little more clear, please? What exactly are you trying to measure about the reflex? What is your experiment testing?

I have changed my experiment. Thanks anyway! Do you know anything about saltine crackers?

I am testing 5 varieties made by the same company, to see which absorbs more liquid. Nabisco won't divulge any "proprietary" information that will clue me in as to why some types absorb more liquid. I was hoping to be able to explain my test results. Instead, their customer service reps only offer that it "probably has to do with their ingredients" or "air pockets", which vary from cracker-to-cracker. Note: Most of them weigh the same before being soaked, but some hold more liquid, on average. I just want to know why? I can only speculate, and I don't know if that will be good enough for the judges.

I can't say I'm an expert in saltine crackers, but I would check the ingredients for any differences between the crackers and look up those ingredients to see if you can find anything out.