Conducting Experiments

This chapter focuses on conducting experiments to explore plankton behavior and growth, with simple experiments that can be performed at home. It begins by outlining how to design experiments, emphasizing the importance of clear hypotheses, controlling variables, and recording data. Key experiments include observing plankton responses to light, water acidity, and nutrient levels, as well as hatching plankton’s resting stages. For instance, an experiment on phototaxis investigates how plankton move toward or away from light, while another explores the effects of pH on plankton survival. Finally, the chapter provides instructions on how to cultivate plankton at home, explaining how to maintain the right conditions for both phytoplankton and zooplankton.