Essay on Ford Motor Company Analysis - 1652 Words

Unit 5 Final Project: Ford Motor Company Executive Summary Ford Motor Company is an American automobile manufacturer founded and headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan but incorporated in the state of Delaware. The company was started by Henry Ford in 1903 and is historically famous for the creation and implementation of the assembly line in manufacturing processes. Ford’s mission is to produce and sell automobiles – cars, trucks, SUVs, etc – from the ones initially designed and engineered by Henry Ford all the way through the newer versions created in the last few years. (Profitable Growth for All, 2012) In 2011, the company performed strongly – producing revenues of $134,264,000,000 and net income of $20,213,000,000. Financial data†¦show more content†¦The financial statements included tend to combine cash and marketable securities into a category labeled â€Å"cash and cash equivalents†. If the cash ratio is recalculated using this value instead of simply cash than the ratio impro ves to 1.10, which shows much stronger liquidity capabilities. Long-term solvency for Ford Motor Company also appears to be strong. The company’s times interest earned ratio of 1.96 means that it can cover its interest charges on current debt issues almost two times over. This is a good sign that bankruptcy is not eminent and the company is solvent in the long-run. A higher debt to equity ratio means a company gets a larger portion of its financing from creditors than shareholders, though higher is a subjective measure and depends on the industry. (Wahlen et al, 2008) Automotive manufacturers tend to have debt to equity ratios above 2 because the industry is capital intensive. (Debt/equity ratio, 2014) Ford’s debt to equity ratio in 2011 was 10.89, far higher than the industry standard, potentially due to the circumstances of the time. The financial crisis of 2008 resulted in major financial bailouts across the automotive industry. These large levels of debt to the gov ernment would increase the debt to equity ratios of all companies that accepted the money. In addition to both short and long term solvency, a company’s return on invested capital should be analyzed when determining its financial health. Ford’sShow MoreRelatedCompany Analysis : Ford Motor Company1299 Words   |  6 Pagesresearch to several companies using information provided by independent firms. The analysis will explain the details of financial information, as well as make recommendations on their values as investments (Lasher, 2014). Although there are thousands of publicly traded companies, one will only research the following four companies: Ford Motor Company (Ford), Harley-Davidson, Inc. (Harley), Starbucks Corporation (Starbucks), and Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft). Incorporated in 1919, Ford is a global automobileRead MoreCompany Analysis : General Motors And Ford Motor Company Essay1184 Words   |  5 PagesCorporation Analysis: General Motors and Ford Motor Company are one of the top two companies in the motor industry every year. But with every great company it will have it’s ups and downs and with the ratios we have for both companies it will be easier to explain the performance of both companies in depth. The price ratio helps us better understand the future outlook of a company’s stock. And with the Beta it helps us measure the risk of the stock in the company. With both companies there PE ratioRead MoreSwot Analysis Of Ford Motor Company1049 Words   |  5 PagesSWOT Analysis is a tactical method used to verify any company’s or any firm’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. A company should use SWOT analysis to assess and make precise decisions in regards to the company’s growth and success and future development. The company’s Strengths are the internal characteristics that help it to run successfully and have an advantage over their competitio n and accelerate the company in reaching its goals and objectives. The weaknesses of the company areRead MoreFord Motor Company Case Analysis1230 Words   |  5 Pages Company Summary: The Ford Motor Company is one of the most largest and profitable U.S. automakers in the world. Today the company headquarters operates in the Motor City, located in Dearborn, Michigan. The Ford Corporation was found by Henry Ford back in 1903, after a disagreement with his financial investors. He then decided to pursue his passion for owning his own business. The Ford Company designs and manufactures durable automobiles, automotive components, and systems. This corporation isRead MoreAnalysis of Ford Motor Company Essay1056 Words   |  5 PagesAnalysis of Ford Motor Company External Factors and Economic Environment 1) Market and Customers Between 22% and 23% (average over past five years) of Ford’s customers are defined as fleet customers as described above. The residual 77%to 78% of customers are private individuals who purchase Ford vehicles through licensed dealers. Ford customers come from all demographic strata given the diverse brand lineup and product mix, and Ford’s products are purchased and driven the world over. ArgusRead MoreFord Motor Company Swot Analysis Essay1549 Words   |  7 PagesFord Motor Company SWOT Analysis Introduction Ford Motors is an American based company that was founded over a century ago back in 1903. Ford Motors is one of the most leading automobile manufacturers in the world and according to Forbes the company was the seventh largest car manufacturer in 2014. Ford Motors largely deals in the manufacture of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles and their production amounts to millions every year. Ford Motors operates around ninety manufacturing plantsRead MoreAnalysis Of The Ford Motor Company Is A Good Investment Essay2169 Words   |  9 PagesNational American University – Online â€Æ' Founded by Henry Ford in 1903, the Ford company is the world’s fifth largest automaker in the world. Publicly traded and held on the New York Stock Exchange, Ford uses the symbol of â€Å"F† to identify itself (Motorsport.com, 2001). The purpose of this document is to investigate and determine if the Ford Motor Company is a good investment. I will further cover a financial analysis of Ford Motor Company, evaluate the businesses consolidated statements of incomeRead MoreBusiness Analysis- Ford Motor Company Essay2411 Words   |  10 PagesBusiness Analysis Part III Nancy Holly MGT/521 Management January 27, 2012 Jim O’Keeffe, Facilitator Abstract A financial analysis of Ford Motor Company’s (Ford) statements will identify their solvency in today’s automobile market. Elements such as liquidity, leverage, profitability, and activity ratios will demonstrate Ford’s financial health and stability. A further assessment of their technological advantages, global strategies, and benchmarking analysis will indicate the futureRead MoreSWOT Analysis: Ford Motor Company Essay1486 Words   |  6 Pagesto invest in Ford Motor Company will take the use of a SWOT analysis and learning about the stakeholders of the company. Business Analysis Part 1: Ford Motor Company There are a lot of factors to think about as a mutual fund manager when deciding whether to invest in a company. When it comes to investing in Ford Motor Company, I will have to make a decision on whether the investment strategy and the associated risks will be a good fit for me and my company. Most businessesRead MoreFord Motor Company Written Case Analysis2381 Words   |  10 Pagesbetter linked to create value for the company? 2.2 How can Ford successfully position itself in terms of the five forces of competition? 2.3 In what ways can the company effectively manage customer relationships to increase strategic competitiveness? 2.4 What conditions and tools can facilitate Fords efforts to produce differentiated products at relatively low costs? Outline a rough competitor analysis. What can be learned about expected competitor

The Affirmative Action Act An Outcome Of Minority Groups...

The Affirmative Action Act was created to ensure that minority groups and women were given the same opportunities in education and employment that were traditionally afforded to white males. According to the National Conferences of State Legislatures, affirmative action is, â€Å"†¦an outcome of the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement, intended to provide equal opportunities for members of minority groups and women in education and employment. In 1961, President Kennedy was the first to use the term affirmative action in an Executive Order that directed government contractors to take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin. The Executive Order also established the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity, now known as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)† (NCLS, 2014). Affirmative action was further reinfo rced in 1965 by President Lyndon Johnson when he signed an executive order requiring government contractors to increase the number of minorities that are offered employment. Some believe that the Affirmative Action Act was created out of â€Å"white guilt†. White guilt can be defined as the guilt felt by some white people for harm resulting from racist treatment of people of color by whites both historically and currently. Therefore it is said that some actions by white people are because of this guilt and not because theyShow MoreRelatedAffirmative Action Programs Should Be Legal1320 Words   |  6 Pageswith affirmative action programs in order to improve opportunities or provide compensations for individuals that belong to omitted groups in the U.S history. While affirmative action programs are prevalent in a numerous of fields, employment and education are the two most active fields that focus on the affirmative action. In many associations and other cases, the affirmative action can be considered as a series of privileged programs. These programs will offer historically excluded groups or oppressedRead MoreAffirmative Action Is Important Fo r Society1649 Words   |  7 Pages Affirmative action Affirmative action is an attempt to address past discriminatory injustices which may be based on gender, race or ethnicity. Affirmative action may take the form of policies and programs which are mostly mandated by governments and designed to bring changes in organizations, companies and educational institutions. Affirmative action is a vital tool which provides qualified people with equal access to educational or professional opportunities that they would otherwise have beenRead More Affirmative Action Essay1127 Words   |  5 PagesAffirmative Action Affirmative action is a deliberate effort to provide full and equal opportunities in employment, education, and other areas for women, minorities, and individuals belonging to other traditionally disadvantaged groups. As an issue of todays society, affirmative action requires corporations, universities and other organizations to establish programs designed to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly. It also places a burden of proof on the providers of opportunities;Read More Affirmative Action Essay1086 Words   |  5 Pages The roots of Affirmative Action can be traced back to the passage of the Civil Rights Act where legislation redefined public and private behavior. The act states that to discriminate in private is legal, but anything regarding business or public discrimination is illegal. There are two instances when opposing affirmative action might seem the wrong thing to do. The nobility of the cause that help others. Affirmative Action was a great starter for equality in the work place. The mostRead MoreAffirmative Action And The Civil Rights Act973 Words   |  4 Pagesprivileged whites and unfortunate minorities. Among these government actions are the 14th Amendment, Equal Pay Act, and the Civil Rights Acts. John F. Kennedy perhaps created one of the most heavily debated policies today, his Affirmative Action Policy. Affirmative action is defined as, â€Å"the practice of improving the educational and job opportunities of members of groups that have not been treated fairly in the past because of their race, sex, etc.† (â€Å"Definition of AFFIRMATIVE† 1). The definition itselfRead MoreAffirmative Action : Discrimination And Discrimination Essay1143 Words   |  5 PagesWHAT IS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION Affirmative action can be described as positive discrimination. It is an action or policy favoring those who tend to suffer from discrimination, especially in relation to employment or education. Affirmative action means taking positive steps to end discrimination, to prevent its recurrence, and to creative new opportunities that were previously denied minorities and women. Affirmative action itself has been defined as any measure, beyond simple termination of a discriminatoryRead MoreThe Equal Employment Opportunity Act1119 Words   |  5 PagesThe Equal Employment Opportunity Act or, EEO Act of 1972, established a goal to make racial, ethnic, and gender minorities on the same level of white males in employment (â€Å"Equal Employment†). This was because of the dominance that white males held in the workplace and the struggle for minorities to get and keep a job, sometimes due to discrimination. Through this act, Affirmative Action was established to ensure that a certain amount of minorities were able to get a quality education and to get jobsRead MoreWhy We Still Need Affirmitive Action1493 Words   |  6 PagesWhy we still need affirmative action Because of the complex nature of the discussion on affirmative action and the controversies and the emotion surrounding it, it is imperative to first recap on the causes of race and inequality in the United States of America. The policies on affirmative action were proposed as a fractional remedy for the socio-economic impacts of past and present disadvantage faced by certain groups in the population, especially with regard to biases on gender and race. Such disadvantagesRead MoreAffirmative Action And The Civil Rights Movement963 Words   |  4 Pagesvarious groups of immigration such as: Asian American, Jewish American, African American, and Mexican Ame. Minority groups have experienced many kinds of segregation. They are discriminated in education and employment. Then, a program called â€Å"Affirmative Action† was introduced with the hope to engage more people of color into the society. Affirmative Action is an outcome of the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement. Its purpose is to provide equal opportunities for members of minority groups and women in educationRead Morefgdgdg1732 Words   |  7 PagesKnowledge Objectives Define organizational diversity and distinguish between affirmative action and diversity management. Distinguish multicultural, plural, and monolithic organizations. Describe the demographic characteristics of the U.S. population and explain their implications for the composition of the workplace. Discuss general changes in the United States that are increasing the importance of managing diversity effectively. Understand why successfully managing diversity is extremely important

Duckweed Research Paper free essay sample

Common duckweed is a plant found floating in compact colonies in ponds, marshes, lakes, and slow moving streams. Duckweed is a very tiny pale green, seed bearing plant (Wang and Messing 2012). Duckweed consists of 1 to 3 fronds, or an oval shaped leave–like structure (Wedge and Burris 1982). These fronds grow no bigger than 10 millimeters and usually serve to attach to other fronds, which create massive thick mats of duckweed (Wedge and Burris 1982). A small root-like structure, known as a rootlet, hangs below the fronds (Wedge and Burris 1982). Duckweed can spread very quickly and can cover the entire surface of a pond in a short amount of time. The growth of duckweed is common when the water contains high levels of nitrogen and phosphates (Wang and Messing 2012). Small amounts of duckweed will not harm a water source, but large amounts will stop the sunlight from entering the water. This can cause oxygen depletion, which can harm fish and submerged plants (Wang and Messing 2012). Studies have found that duckweed is able to survive under several different temperatures. Duckweed is more cold tolerant than other aquatic vascular plants. There are conditions such as seasonal temperature change that can result in a morphological alteration to another form, called turions (Wang and Messing 2012). When the temperature lowers the energy stored in the duckweed during photosynthesis is transferred to starch biosynthesis, causing the starch to gather in turions (Wang and Messing 2012). Due to the amount of intercellular air space becoming less and starch increases the density of the tissue, the duckweed is able to sink to the base of the water where the organism is still able to live even if the surface of the water freezes (Wang and Messing 2012). When the warm conditions return the duckweed will return to the surface of the water (Wang and Messing 2012). This is an evolved adaption that duckweed has formed to be able to survive in several conditions. Our hypothesis was that the survival of duckweed would be more successful in warmer climates, rather than colder climates. We generated this hypothesis due based on the fact that duckweed needs sunlight to gain the nutrients it needs to survive, and warmer climates commonly have more sunlight to help the growth and reproduction. Also, duckweed is eaten by birds and ducks, which they then spread to other water sources (Appenroth 2002). This is one of the best ways of spreading duckweed and would be done mostly in warmer areas where the bird and duck populations are the highest. Methods This experiment was conducted on March 14, 3013 inside a laboratory of the Boyd Science Hall at Plymouth State University. We received the duckweed (Lemna Minor) organisms from Carolina Biological Supply. We then filled three beakers with 200mL of spring water, and then drew a line on each of the beakers where the water level was. Each beaker was labeled with different colored tape to differentiate the beakers. After all beakers were properly filled with water and labeled, we placed 20 duckweed organisms in each of the three beakers. The first beaker was the control and was kept at room temperature, while the second beaker was placed under a florescent light with medium heat, and the third beaker was placed under a florescent light with high heat. The three beakers were subjected to these conditions for 29 days with 14 repetitions. The data was analyzed through an ANOVA statistical summary. Results There was not a significant difference in the change in the number of living duckweed between different treatments (F = 0. 415; df = 2, 38; P = 0. 664). (Fig 1. ) Figure 1. The mean number of living duckweed found in each temperature. Discussion This experiment did not show any strong evidence that the survival and growth of duckweed is more successful in different temperatures. The average number of living duckweed actually decreased when subjected to the three different treatments. According to Appenroth (2002), when duckweed is place into lower or higher temperatures, the turion-inducing factor needs proper phosphate levels. Therefore, when we placed the duckweed under the florescent light treatments, the water may not have contained the correct amount of phosphate causing the duckweed to not be able to form into turion. Without being able to use this adaptation, the duckweed will not be able to survive under certain temperatures. Although the average number of living duckweed did result to be higher when at room temperature, the difference was not significant enough to be conclusive. While our hypothesis was not proven to be correct through this experiment, other studies have found conclusive data on the effects of temperature with duckweed. Appenroth (2002) found that duckweed could survive and have normal growth within 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. Thus, duckweed has a high range of survival under different temperature, but requires the appropriate elements. Multiple factors could have affected the accuracy of the results of this experiment. If we had more time to conduct the experiment, we could have had the duckweed under the treatments for a longer period of time, which would have given us more precise and accurate answers. This would have made sure the duckweed was being kept at the proper temperature for the entire duration. Along with additional time, the spring water used may have not had the nutrients that duckweed needs to survive. Duckweed thrives off nutrients and grows best when the water contains higher levels of nitrogen and phosphate (Wedge and Burris 1982). In the future studies should apply the problems that I have stated before. If the duckweed is kept under the treatment for a longer period and is placed in the appropriate nutrient filled water, the experiment could be much more effective on giving a better result. In addition to those corrections, the results could have been broader if the study had a below room temperature treatment. All in all, these additions to the experiment would be very detrimental to the accuracy and understanding of the results.

Duckweed Research Paper free essay sample

Common duckweed is a plant found floating in compact colonies in ponds, marshes, lakes, and slow moving streams. Duckweed is a very tiny pale green, seed bearing plant (Wang and Messing 2012). Duckweed consists of 1 to 3 fronds, or an oval shaped leave–like structure (Wedge and Burris 1982). These fronds grow no bigger than 10 millimeters and usually serve to attach to other fronds, which create massive thick mats of duckweed (Wedge and Burris 1982). A small root-like structure, known as a rootlet, hangs below the fronds (Wedge and Burris 1982). Duckweed can spread very quickly and can cover the entire surface of a pond in a short amount of time. The growth of duckweed is common when the water contains high levels of nitrogen and phosphates (Wang and Messing 2012). Small amounts of duckweed will not harm a water source, but large amounts will stop the sunlight from entering the water. This can cause oxygen depletion, which can harm fish and submerged plants (Wang and Messing 2012). Studies have found that duckweed is able to survive under several different temperatures. Duckweed is more cold tolerant than other aquatic vascular plants. There are conditions such as seasonal temperature change that can result in a morphological alteration to another form, called turions (Wang and Messing 2012). When the temperature lowers the energy stored in the duckweed during photosynthesis is transferred to starch biosynthesis, causing the starch to gather in turions (Wang and Messing 2012). Due to the amount of intercellular air space becoming less and starch increases the density of the tissue, the duckweed is able to sink to the base of the water where the organism is still able to live even if the surface of the water freezes (Wang and Messing 2012). When the warm conditions return the duckweed will return to the surface of the water (Wang and Messing 2012). This is an evolved adaption that duckweed has formed to be able to survive in several conditions. Our hypothesis was that the survival of duckweed would be more successful in warmer climates, rather than colder climates. We generated this hypothesis due based on the fact that duckweed needs sunlight to gain the nutrients it needs to survive, and warmer climates commonly have more sunlight to help the growth and reproduction. Also, duckweed is eaten by birds and ducks, which they then spread to other water sources (Appenroth 2002). This is one of the best ways of spreading duckweed and would be done mostly in warmer areas where the bird and duck populations are the highest. Methods This experiment was conducted on March 14, 3013 inside a laboratory of the Boyd Science Hall at Plymouth State University. We received the duckweed (Lemna Minor) organisms from Carolina Biological Supply. We then filled three beakers with 200mL of spring water, and then drew a line on each of the beakers where the water level was. Each beaker was labeled with different colored tape to differentiate the beakers. After all beakers were properly filled with water and labeled, we placed 20 duckweed organisms in each of the three beakers. The first beaker was the control and was kept at room temperature, while the second beaker was placed under a florescent light with medium heat, and the third beaker was placed under a florescent light with high heat. The three beakers were subjected to these conditions for 29 days with 14 repetitions. The data was analyzed through an ANOVA statistical summary. Results There was not a significant difference in the change in the number of living duckweed between different treatments (F = 0. 415; df = 2, 38; P = 0. 664). (Fig 1. ) Figure 1. The mean number of living duckweed found in each temperature. Discussion This experiment did not show any strong evidence that the survival and growth of duckweed is more successful in different temperatures. The average number of living duckweed actually decreased when subjected to the three different treatments. According to Appenroth (2002), when duckweed is place into lower or higher temperatures, the turion-inducing factor needs proper phosphate levels. Therefore, when we placed the duckweed under the florescent light treatments, the water may not have contained the correct amount of phosphate causing the duckweed to not be able to form into turion. Without being able to use this adaptation, the duckweed will not be able to survive under certain temperatures. Although the average number of living duckweed did result to be higher when at room temperature, the difference was not significant enough to be conclusive. While our hypothesis was not proven to be correct through this experiment, other studies have found conclusive data on the effects of temperature with duckweed. Appenroth (2002) found that duckweed could survive and have normal growth within 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. Thus, duckweed has a high range of survival under different temperature, but requires the appropriate elements. Multiple factors could have affected the accuracy of the results of this experiment. If we had more time to conduct the experiment, we could have had the duckweed under the treatments for a longer period of time, which would have given us more precise and accurate answers. This would have made sure the duckweed was being kept at the proper temperature for the entire duration. Along with additional time, the spring water used may have not had the nutrients that duckweed needs to survive. Duckweed thrives off nutrients and grows best when the water contains higher levels of nitrogen and phosphate (Wedge and Burris 1982). In the future studies should apply the problems that I have stated before. If the duckweed is kept under the treatment for a longer period and is placed in the appropriate nutrient filled water, the experiment could be much more effective on giving a better result. In addition to those corrections, the results could have been broader if the study had a below room temperature treatment. All in all, these additions to the experiment would be very detrimental to the accuracy and understanding of the results.

Duckweed Research Paper free essay sample

Common duckweed is a plant found floating in compact colonies in ponds, marshes, lakes, and slow moving streams. Duckweed is a very tiny pale green, seed bearing plant (Wang and Messing 2012). Duckweed consists of 1 to 3 fronds, or an oval shaped leave–like structure (Wedge and Burris 1982). These fronds grow no bigger than 10 millimeters and usually serve to attach to other fronds, which create massive thick mats of duckweed (Wedge and Burris 1982). A small root-like structure, known as a rootlet, hangs below the fronds (Wedge and Burris 1982). Duckweed can spread very quickly and can cover the entire surface of a pond in a short amount of time. The growth of duckweed is common when the water contains high levels of nitrogen and phosphates (Wang and Messing 2012). Small amounts of duckweed will not harm a water source, but large amounts will stop the sunlight from entering the water. This can cause oxygen depletion, which can harm fish and submerged plants (Wang and Messing 2012). Studies have found that duckweed is able to survive under several different temperatures. Duckweed is more cold tolerant than other aquatic vascular plants. There are conditions such as seasonal temperature change that can result in a morphological alteration to another form, called turions (Wang and Messing 2012). When the temperature lowers the energy stored in the duckweed during photosynthesis is transferred to starch biosynthesis, causing the starch to gather in turions (Wang and Messing 2012). Due to the amount of intercellular air space becoming less and starch increases the density of the tissue, the duckweed is able to sink to the base of the water where the organism is still able to live even if the surface of the water freezes (Wang and Messing 2012). When the warm conditions return the duckweed will return to the surface of the water (Wang and Messing 2012). This is an evolved adaption that duckweed has formed to be able to survive in several conditions. Our hypothesis was that the survival of duckweed would be more successful in warmer climates, rather than colder climates. We generated this hypothesis due based on the fact that duckweed needs sunlight to gain the nutrients it needs to survive, and warmer climates commonly have more sunlight to help the growth and reproduction. Also, duckweed is eaten by birds and ducks, which they then spread to other water sources (Appenroth 2002). This is one of the best ways of spreading duckweed and would be done mostly in warmer areas where the bird and duck populations are the highest. Methods This experiment was conducted on March 14, 3013 inside a laboratory of the Boyd Science Hall at Plymouth State University. We received the duckweed (Lemna Minor) organisms from Carolina Biological Supply. We then filled three beakers with 200mL of spring water, and then drew a line on each of the beakers where the water level was. Each beaker was labeled with different colored tape to differentiate the beakers. After all beakers were properly filled with water and labeled, we placed 20 duckweed organisms in each of the three beakers. The first beaker was the control and was kept at room temperature, while the second beaker was placed under a florescent light with medium heat, and the third beaker was placed under a florescent light with high heat. The three beakers were subjected to these conditions for 29 days with 14 repetitions. The data was analyzed through an ANOVA statistical summary. Results There was not a significant difference in the change in the number of living duckweed between different treatments (F = 0. 415; df = 2, 38; P = 0. 664). (Fig 1. ) Figure 1. The mean number of living duckweed found in each temperature. Discussion This experiment did not show any strong evidence that the survival and growth of duckweed is more successful in different temperatures. The average number of living duckweed actually decreased when subjected to the three different treatments. According to Appenroth (2002), when duckweed is place into lower or higher temperatures, the turion-inducing factor needs proper phosphate levels. Therefore, when we placed the duckweed under the florescent light treatments, the water may not have contained the correct amount of phosphate causing the duckweed to not be able to form into turion. Without being able to use this adaptation, the duckweed will not be able to survive under certain temperatures. Although the average number of living duckweed did result to be higher when at room temperature, the difference was not significant enough to be conclusive. While our hypothesis was not proven to be correct through this experiment, other studies have found conclusive data on the effects of temperature with duckweed. Appenroth (2002) found that duckweed could survive and have normal growth within 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. Thus, duckweed has a high range of survival under different temperature, but requires the appropriate elements. Multiple factors could have affected the accuracy of the results of this experiment. If we had more time to conduct the experiment, we could have had the duckweed under the treatments for a longer period of time, which would have given us more precise and accurate answers. This would have made sure the duckweed was being kept at the proper temperature for the entire duration. Along with additional time, the spring water used may have not had the nutrients that duckweed needs to survive. Duckweed thrives off nutrients and grows best when the water contains higher levels of nitrogen and phosphate (Wedge and Burris 1982). In the future studies should apply the problems that I have stated before. If the duckweed is kept under the treatment for a longer period and is placed in the appropriate nutrient filled water, the experiment could be much more effective on giving a better result. In addition to those corrections, the results could have been broader if the study had a below room temperature treatment. All in all, these additions to the experiment would be very detrimental to the accuracy and understanding of the results.

Duckweed Research Paper free essay sample

Common duckweed is a plant found floating in compact colonies in ponds, marshes, lakes, and slow moving streams. Duckweed is a very tiny pale green, seed bearing plant (Wang and Messing 2012). Duckweed consists of 1 to 3 fronds, or an oval shaped leave–like structure (Wedge and Burris 1982). These fronds grow no bigger than 10 millimeters and usually serve to attach to other fronds, which create massive thick mats of duckweed (Wedge and Burris 1982). A small root-like structure, known as a rootlet, hangs below the fronds (Wedge and Burris 1982). Duckweed can spread very quickly and can cover the entire surface of a pond in a short amount of time. The growth of duckweed is common when the water contains high levels of nitrogen and phosphates (Wang and Messing 2012). Small amounts of duckweed will not harm a water source, but large amounts will stop the sunlight from entering the water. This can cause oxygen depletion, which can harm fish and submerged plants (Wang and Messing 2012). Studies have found that duckweed is able to survive under several different temperatures. Duckweed is more cold tolerant than other aquatic vascular plants. There are conditions such as seasonal temperature change that can result in a morphological alteration to another form, called turions (Wang and Messing 2012). When the temperature lowers the energy stored in the duckweed during photosynthesis is transferred to starch biosynthesis, causing the starch to gather in turions (Wang and Messing 2012). Due to the amount of intercellular air space becoming less and starch increases the density of the tissue, the duckweed is able to sink to the base of the water where the organism is still able to live even if the surface of the water freezes (Wang and Messing 2012). When the warm conditions return the duckweed will return to the surface of the water (Wang and Messing 2012). This is an evolved adaption that duckweed has formed to be able to survive in several conditions. Our hypothesis was that the survival of duckweed would be more successful in warmer climates, rather than colder climates. We generated this hypothesis due based on the fact that duckweed needs sunlight to gain the nutrients it needs to survive, and warmer climates commonly have more sunlight to help the growth and reproduction. Also, duckweed is eaten by birds and ducks, which they then spread to other water sources (Appenroth 2002). This is one of the best ways of spreading duckweed and would be done mostly in warmer areas where the bird and duck populations are the highest. Methods This experiment was conducted on March 14, 3013 inside a laboratory of the Boyd Science Hall at Plymouth State University. We received the duckweed (Lemna Minor) organisms from Carolina Biological Supply. We then filled three beakers with 200mL of spring water, and then drew a line on each of the beakers where the water level was. Each beaker was labeled with different colored tape to differentiate the beakers. After all beakers were properly filled with water and labeled, we placed 20 duckweed organisms in each of the three beakers. The first beaker was the control and was kept at room temperature, while the second beaker was placed under a florescent light with medium heat, and the third beaker was placed under a florescent light with high heat. The three beakers were subjected to these conditions for 29 days with 14 repetitions. The data was analyzed through an ANOVA statistical summary. Results There was not a significant difference in the change in the number of living duckweed between different treatments (F = 0. 415; df = 2, 38; P = 0. 664). (Fig 1. ) Figure 1. The mean number of living duckweed found in each temperature. Discussion This experiment did not show any strong evidence that the survival and growth of duckweed is more successful in different temperatures. The average number of living duckweed actually decreased when subjected to the three different treatments. According to Appenroth (2002), when duckweed is place into lower or higher temperatures, the turion-inducing factor needs proper phosphate levels. Therefore, when we placed the duckweed under the florescent light treatments, the water may not have contained the correct amount of phosphate causing the duckweed to not be able to form into turion. Without being able to use this adaptation, the duckweed will not be able to survive under certain temperatures. Although the average number of living duckweed did result to be higher when at room temperature, the difference was not significant enough to be conclusive. While our hypothesis was not proven to be correct through this experiment, other studies have found conclusive data on the effects of temperature with duckweed. Appenroth (2002) found that duckweed could survive and have normal growth within 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. Thus, duckweed has a high range of survival under different temperature, but requires the appropriate elements. Multiple factors could have affected the accuracy of the results of this experiment. If we had more time to conduct the experiment, we could have had the duckweed under the treatments for a longer period of time, which would have given us more precise and accurate answers. This would have made sure the duckweed was being kept at the proper temperature for the entire duration. Along with additional time, the spring water used may have not had the nutrients that duckweed needs to survive. Duckweed thrives off nutrients and grows best when the water contains higher levels of nitrogen and phosphate (Wedge and Burris 1982). In the future studies should apply the problems that I have stated before. If the duckweed is kept under the treatment for a longer period and is placed in the appropriate nutrient filled water, the experiment could be much more effective on giving a better result. In addition to those corrections, the results could have been broader if the study had a below room temperature treatment. All in all, these additions to the experiment would be very detrimental to the accuracy and understanding of the results.