Q3ITD - Campbell Biology

Question

Why do you think there was more carbon-14 in the germinated seed?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The germinated seed 3 had more carbon-14 because only a very small amount of modern carbon was absorbed into the germinating seed.

Step 1: Radiometric dating

Radiometric dating, also known as radioactive dating, is a method used to calculate the age of ancient things, including rocks, seeds, fossils, and many more. The process involves the use of radioactive substances because these substances decay at a much slower rate.

Step 2: About the experiment

To determine how long the seeds remain viable in dormancy, researchers selected three ancient date palm seeds. Two of these three were not planted, whereas one seed was planted and germinated. 

 

They measured the carbon-14 fraction remaining in the seeds to estimate the age of these seeds.

Step 3: More carbon-14 in the germinated seed

The carbon-14 fraction remaining was the highest in the germinated seed 3 among the three seeds, absorbing much less modern carbon. The absorption of a bit of amount of modern carbon would raise the relative amount of carbon-14 in the seed.

 

It would also reduce its estimated age by 250-300 years, as observed by the calculated ages of all the seeds.