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This tutorial/simulation consists of three topics. In topic 1, students investigate water potential in various, real-life situations. They review components of the water potential equation with the help of “Professor Waterman”. Students will: 1) get descriptions of solute and pressure potential and the water potential equation; 2) learn how to predict the movement of water under various conditions; and 3) gain experience using the water potential equation, and gain familiarity with the associated terminology. In topic 2, students follow movement of water through a plant from the soil to the atmosphere. They calculate water potential at each of 5 locations in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Students will: Students follow movement of water through a plant from the soil to the atmosphere. They calculate water potential at each of 5 locations in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Students will: 1) predict the value and direction of the solute potential and pressure potiential in different parts of a plant, given information about physical conditions; and 2) calculate the water potential for soil, root cell, xylem, mesophyll cell, leaf air space, and atmosphere. In topic 3, students help a restoration ecologist choose plants that will grow at Alamitos Creek, California, based on plant adaptations for dry conditions and the concept of water potential. Students will: 1) complete a simulated applied research project in which they review concepts pertaining to plant adaptations for dry conditions, construct a checklist of criteria for plants adapted to grow at Alamitos Creek, and select 3 plants that meet criteria for growth at Alamitos Creek using inventories of real data for 9 plants.
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