Kingdom Plantae - Anatomy and Classification
We will be taking a two module break from animals and focus now on plants for a bit. In module 14, we will be talking about the vegetative parts of plants: roots, stems, leaves. In module 15 (see the page on the site for Plant Physiology and Reproduction), we will be talking about the reproductive tissues of the plant: flower, seed, and fruit. Don't be fooled though. The vegetative parts of the plant can reproduce too, but its reproduction will only give a clone (asexual reproduction) of the parent plant instead of producing a new genetic mix of two parent plants. Oh, here is a good question to ponder: Are onions and potatoes the roots of a plant? You may be surprised.
If you are a visual/spatial learner, you may find that the MODULE CONCEPT MAP (<-- clickable link) is a huge help to you.
If you are a visual/spatial learner, you may find that the MODULE CONCEPT MAP (<-- clickable link) is a huge help to you.
Planning Ahead for Labs
The at-home labs are optional and earn extra credit if you upload proof such as a lab report. Here is a heads up on things that you will need that might not be around the home.
- Lab 14.1: Get tree identification book (from library). An internet site is fine as a replacement.
- Lab 14.2: Get red cabbage (It looks purple and is a great source of anthocyanin). If you cannot find red cabbage to make your own pH indicator, I recommend ordering the multi-test strips HERE because you can use the glucose part of the test strip in module 5 for one of the labs.
- Lab 14.3: Microscope and prepared slides. Use the internet if you don't have what you need at home.
- Zea mays (corn) stem cross section (if corn is growing in your area, get some fresh plants to look at)
- Zea mays (corn) root cross section
- Ramunculus (buttercup) stem cross section (if buttercups grow in your area, use fresh instead of prepared slides)
- Ramunculus (buttercup) root cross section
- Leaf cross section with vein
Lab 14.2: Anthrocyanin Lab
In lecture 1 of this module, we will be talking about leaf structure and some of the chemicals responsible for leaf color. Anthrocyanin is one of the substances in a plant that gives it color (there are several colorful substances that we will explore in this module). It is unique in that it can be any color of the rainbow depending upon the pH of what it is in. To do this lab, the student will need red cabbage (looks purple), distilled water, and access to the stove. A wide variety of chemicals from around the house can be tested for their pH by seeing what color the red cabbage juice turns when it is mixed with the chemical. Items to test can be lemon juice, soda, vinegar, fruit, Windex, bleach (be careful with bleach), etc.
Extra Lab: Plants Cells and the Microscope
Plant cells are easy to access and to prepare for study with a microscope. In this module, you can examine the onion cell from the thin membrane that peels free between layers of the onion. If you have stains, use them so that you can more easily see features. Without the stain, the cells will be clear and you will not easily see internal structures such as the nucleus. Take a look at the slides that our family has grabbed photos of through the microscope to get an idea about what you could see. Be sure to look at other plants too. Try a paper-thin cross section of the stem or roots form plants in your yard and refrigerator. Safety razor blades do a great job of helping you make a thin slice without crushing the cells too much.
Here is a gallery of microscope images for you to enjoy. Just click the thumbnails or hover over the large image for the play button to appear.
Here is a gallery of microscope images for you to enjoy. Just click the thumbnails or hover over the large image for the play button to appear.
Extra Lab: Rooting Your Own Plants
This module's topic of roots would be a good incentive to try your hand at rooting a cutting. Many plants will begin to grow roots from just about any plant part except the fruit itself. Just suspend the cut end into water and change out the water every week so that it doesn't get bacterial growth in it. You can even get rooting hormone from a nursery or garden shop which will speed up the process.
Terrific Internet Resources
The internet is a wealth of resources for the study of biology or researching what something is that you have found on outdoor excursions (or sometimes even what you find in your house). Here are some useful resources for this module.
Chloroplast Cycling
As we examine the structure of a leaf, we will compare and contrast the spongy and the palisade mosophyll. There are some very good reasons for the designs of each. If you have access to a microscope and a pet shop that carries aquarium supplies, you may want to look at a little aquatic plant called elodea. Elodea has particularly thin cell walls giving you a fantastic view of the chloroplast movement inside. The cycling is also particularly fast compared to most plants.
The Tickle Me Plant
My aunt was the president of a botanical club in a large city and had such an amazing greenhouse. One of my favorites was her ‘Tickle Me Plant’. It very rapidly would close up its leaves upon contact. It was not the type that collected animals such as a Venus Fly Trap, but merely closed as if it were to shy to get attention. To see it in action, watch the video and I dare you to prevent the catchy little song from sticking in your brain. lol