Rhapsody Blues

38. What's Growing On?

About it:

I'm at the point in school, where our science teacher expected us to participate in the annual science fair. I participated and I was highly excited for it. I've worked long and hard hours on it (3 months to be exact). Now, that it is over, I'd like to present it to Wattpad. 

The title of my science fair is called, "What's Growing On?" It is to answer the question of whether or not aspirin helps plants grow faster and healthier. For the rest, you'd have to find out by reading the portions below. 

In this, I have included: My research paper, my works cited, and my science lab write up. 

(This is Wattpad and not Google Excel so the datas and graphs won't be displayed.) 

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What's Growing On?

Imagine having a throbbing headache that has lasted for hours now. The last resort is to call the doctor. The doctor simply responds with, "Take an aspirin and call again in the morning if the headaches continue." On the other hand, gardeners usually don't say, "Take an aspirin and give it to a plant." With some experimentation, aspirin could be used to prevent or lessen a plant's disease. But does aspirin aid plant growth? Various forms of compounds have been used on plants to help them grow; however, some compounds, such as salicylic acid, are more effective for plant growth.

Aspirin, also referred to as acetylsalicylic acid, is a form of an over-the-counter drug. Aspirin didn't just appear in the recent years; aspirin usage dates back to the ancient civilizations. Though its usage was first recorded about 4,000 years ago by the Sumerians, who noted that pain remedies could be made from willow tree barks (Goldberg 2). Ancient civilizations, such as the Mesopotamia, extracted the acetylsalicylic acid from willow trees. More than 2,000 years ago, the doctors of Chinese and Greek civilizations had the sick patients lick directly onto the bark. Hippocrates used the salicylates to treat his patients (Ling).Doctors, from the past to the present, treat their patients using salicylic acid.

As the years progressed, more forms of aspirin appeared on the shelves of pharmacies. The most common form of aspirin is capsules, while other forms include chewable tablets, antacids or cough and cold medications. Since it is available in several forms, the dosages may vary from 0.0021 ounces to 0.0027 ounces (60-65 milligrams). Aspirin is the synthetic derivative of the natural substance, acetylsalicylic acid, which is associated in healing properties (Ling). It is the main component of herbal extract which is found in the bark of trees and fruits. Today, the most common aspirin uses are from alleviating the toothaches or other forms of pain to reducing a fever. Not only do people take aspirin as a painkiller but also to dwindle the risk of death for patients who have suffered a heart attack in the past or prevent a blood clot. Also, it serves the purpose of diminishing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and other rheumatologic changes. People often take aspirin to lower risk of blood clots for patients with artificial heart valves. In conclusion, the main uses of aspirin on humans are the anti-prostaglandin agent and the antiplatelet agent ("How Aspirin Works"). Such side effects can include the change of method the kidneys make urine, difficulty breathing and the constant ringing in the ears ("Aspirin: Medicine Plus Drug Information"). However, there are safety precautions to be aware of when taking aspirin. Consult your doctor if you have any allergic reactions to salicylic acid or have diabetes and kidney or liver problems ("Aspirin: Medicine Plus Drug Information"). When given to children twelve or younger, it produces a high chance of causing Reye's syndrome. Doctors heavily recommend that patients follow the safety precautions for they can negatively affect the human body ("How Aspirin Works").

Aspirin benefits not only a human but can also treat a plant. The main effects of aspirin on plants is to help boost plant immunity in cases of diseases and pests. The salicylic acid, which is short for acetylsalicylic acid, helps trigger the plant's defense mechanism against damage. Aspirin fulfills the role as a disease antagonist (Suzikawa 3). The drug lends a helping hand to the plant to fight off bacteria, fungi and other viruses. Robert E. Davis said, "...plants could be beneficially treated even before they become infected [with diseases]... underlying salicylic acid's preventive role" (Suszikawa 3). When wounded, the plant sends out compounds to heal the wound. The aspirin, in this case, is similar to the sergeant of an army while it directs it's soldiers or the pathogens to defend an attack against the diseases. Studies have shown that aspirin helps speed up the responses in both humans and plants (Grant). Plants, like human beings, have immune systems and show cellular responses to defend attack when it is stressed, sick or "in pain." On the other hand, the use of aspirin water has allowed diseases to respond to the application, such as powdery mildew and leaf spotting. A study, made by the scientists at the Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences in Iran, found that salicylic acid is the "potent plant hormone" (Brands 2). Other thandefending an attack against diseases, aspirin has more purposes for a plant. There are adverse effects to recognize for when a plant has received an overdose of aspirin. The effects consist of roots burning, leaves spotting or wilting, blocking the vascular system to absorb water and nutrients (Spencer 3). Although aspirin has an array of uses, there are potential dangers for both plants and animals.