Water and basal salts
By the end of this lesson
- Explain basal formulation identity
- Distinguish a formulation family from suitability
- Record substitutions explicitly
See it
Water is the largest component by volume, while basal formulations provide macro- and micronutrients in defined proportions. Common formulations include Murashige and Skoog (MS), Gamborg B5, Woody Plant Medium (WPM), and others.
Understand it
Explain basal formulation identity
Basal medium names refer to defined formulations, not generic quality levels.
Basal formulations specify nutrient composition; their names are not generic grades of quality.
Distinguish a formulation family from suitability
Woody plants may be studied with media such as WPM, but suitability remains species- and protocol-dependent.
WPM is used in woody-plant research, but that association is not proof it suits every woody plant or stage.
Record substitutions explicitly
Exact formulation/version should be recorded.
Different basal formulations differ in composition, so substitution is a treatment change.
Worked example
A grower has WPM available but the source method specifies MS. The different name represents a different formulation, not merely a different brand. Any substitution must remain visible as a changed treatment.
Explain your decision before opening the worked reasoning below.
Show the worked reasoning
A transparent record keeps the specified and substituted formulations distinguishable.
Comparing media requires knowing which formulations were actually used and in what biological context.
Do not replace one basal formulation with another silently.
Try it
What does replacing MS with WPM change?
Use the worked example above to explain your answer in your own words before taking the quiz.
Lesson quiz
Assessment version: 2026-10-15-v2. Previous reading-completion markers are retained. This revised quiz has its own result.
Apply it
Use the worked example to write a short decision record: what did you observe, which rule did you apply, and what would you check before acting?
Completion marks reading progress, not a quiz pass or professional certification.