Flower Dissection Lab
Name_________________________
7th Grade PSI
Score _________/ 24 points
Objectives: You will dissect a flower to learn the reproductive parts of the
flower, particularly the male and female anatomy.
Materials:
 Flower
 Scalpel or razor blade (Use caution, this is a sharp instrument hazard)
 Paper towels
 Safety goggles (these must be worn at all times during the lab)
Procedure:
1. Bring one flower to your lab station.
2. Carefully observe the outside of the flower. Draw and label the external
anatomy of the flower in the correct observation box.
3. Using your scalpel, make a vertical incision to open your flower.
4. Open your flower and carefully observe the inside. Draw the internal
anatomy of the flower in your observation box. Be sure to label: pistil,
stigma, style, ovary, stamen, filament and anther.
5. Cut open the ovary. See if ovules are present. Count or estimate how
many ovules there are. Draw the ovary cross section in the correct
observation box.
6. Clean up your lab station and wash your hands with soap and water.
www.njctl.org
7th Grade PSI
Growth and Development
of Organisms
Observations:
External Anatomy
Internal Anatomy
section
www.njctl.org
Ovary, cross
7th Grade PSI
Growth and Development
of Organisms
Questions:
1. Name the female parts of your flower. For each part:
a. State the function.
b. Use your observations to describe how the shape/structure/position
of each part affects the probability of successful reproduction of the
plant.
2. Name the male parts of your flower. For each part:
a. State the function.
b. Use your observations to describe how the shape/structure/position
of each part affects the probability of successful reproduction of the
plant.
3. An open flower is considered mature. Was your flower mature? How does
that affect the structures you saw, especially the pollen or ovules?
www.njctl.org
7th Grade PSI
Growth and Development
of Organisms
4. What is the purpose of flowers for plants? Explain.
5. Describe any unique features of your plant’s external anatomy that may
affect the probability of successful reproduction for your plant.
www.njctl.org
7th Grade PSI
Growth and Development
of Organisms