Name:___________________________________________
Plant Unit Lab
Station 1 – Vascular Plant
The roots, or parts of roots, of many plant species have become specialized to serve adaptive purposes besides the two
primary functions described in the introduction.
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Adventitious roots arise out-of-sequence from the more usual root formation of branches of a primary root, and
instead originate from the stem, branches, leaves, or old woody roots
Aerial roots: roots entirely above the ground, such as in ivy or in epiphytic orchids. They function as prop roots,
as in maize or anchor roots or as the trunk in strangler fig.
Storage roots: these roots are modified for storage of food or water, such as carrots and beets. They include
some taproots and tuberous roots.
A taproot is an enlarged, somewhat straight to tapering plant root that grows downward. It forms a center from
which other roots sprout laterally.[1] Plants with taproots are difficult to transplant. The presence of a taproot is
why dandelions are hard to uproot—the top is pulled, but the long taproot stays in the ground, and re-sprouts.
Aquatic root
(Science: plant biology) roots that develop on stems above the normal position occupied by roots, in response to
prolonged inundation with water.
A root hair, the rhizoid of a vascular plant, is a tubular outgrowth of a trichoblast, a hair-forming cell on the
epidermis of a plant root
Activity 1: Use the labeled jars at this station to identify the following types of roots and complete the chart below.
Root Type
Description
Type (example) and
letter on jar
Taproot
Storage root
Aquatic roots
Aerial roots
Adventitious
Fibrous
Nitrogen-fixing
roots
Root hairs
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Activity 2:
Look in the microscope on the table. Observe the guard cells and stomata (stoma). Are they stoma open or closed? Draw
the stoma. Use the handouts to help.
Magnification:
________________
Section A – Vascular tissue
Questions: Use the picture to the left to answer the following questions and section 17.1
1. List the three main parts of vascular plants.
2. Describe the two main vascular tissue of a plant.
3. What are the two adaptations that prevent water loss? How?
4. What are the main photosynthetic structures of the plant? How are
they adapted to their function?
5. What part of the plant takes in water?
6. Which part of the plant provides support and allows the plant to
grow taller?
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Section B – Stems
Use the green book 631 to answer the following questions.
A tree trunk is an example of a stem.
____________
____________
______
______
________
________
____________
______
____________
______
1.__________________transports the sugars produced by photosynthesis through the plant.
2.__________________enables the trunk to grow thicker by producing new xylem and phloem.
3.__________________contains active xylem tissue.
4.__________________protects the tree.
5.__________________contains xylem that no longer carriers water but helps support the tree.
Section C – Water Loss in Plants
The cells in plants are mostly water. Water in the plant helps to keep the cells firm. When a plant wilts, water is being
lost faster than it can be replaced. The stomata on the lower side of the epidermis control water loss. When it is hot and
dry, the stomata close preventing water loss. When the weather is wet, the stomata open up releasing extra water.
Answer the following questions using the diagram below.
Picture 1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Picture 2
What is the condition of the guard cells in picture 2?________________________________
Are the stomata open or closed in picture 2?_______________________________________
What do you think the weather is like in picture 2?__________________________________
What is the weather like in picture 1? ____________________________________________
What is the function of the stomata?_____________________________________________
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Section D: Structure of the leaf: 627 new and old
1)
What is the function of the cuticle?
2) What is the function of the stomata?
3) What is the function of the xylem? Are these cells living?
4) What is the function of the phloem? Are these cells living?
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Station 2 – Bryophyta and Pteriodophyta
Activity 1Plant Evolution: Answer the following questions from sections Old Book 17.2 17.3
1) What are the homologies between plants and green algae?
2) What group are close relatives to plants?
3) Draw the evolutionary tree of plants: Use different colors to represent the different characteristics that evolved
Activity 2 – Draw any four samples (IN COLOR) below on your table and label them.
1
2
3
4
5
Activity 3 Label the following picture according to the Honors textbook: 17.4-17.5 (new) 17.5-17.6 (old)
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Questions Moss
1. Why do mosses live in moist, damp areas?
2. How do moss cells get water?
3. How do mosses reproduce?
4. What is the dominant generation?
5. What division are mosses in?
6. What three things do non-vascular plants NOT have?
7. How does a zygote develop in the moss?
8. What structure forms the spores in the moss?
9. What develops into the gametophyte in the moss?
10. All mosses show alternation of ________________________________
Questions: Ferns
1. What Plant division are ferns in?
2. Which types of plants are larger; vascular or non-vascular?
3. Are ferns vascular plants?______________________
4. Do ferns have true leaves, stems, and roots?____________________________
5. How do ferns reproduce?
6. Do ferns have seeds?_____________
7. Why are ferns found in moist places?
8. How do ferns differ from mosses?
9. What trait do mosses and ferns have in common?
10. Why do you think that the earth is no longer covered with giant fern forests?( Hint: what type of plants do
we have the most of near us?)
11. What are sori? Where are they found?
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Station 3 – Kingdom Plantae: Gymnosperm
Activity 1 – Conifer Identification
How can you tell a pine from a spruce or a cedar from a juniper? One way is to observe their leaves. The leaves of most
conifers are either needlelike – shaped like needles, or scale like – like the scales on a fish or snake. Examine some
confer branches and identify them using the key to classify leaves.
Conifers Identified
1.
4.
7.
2.
5.
8.
3.
6.
9.
What You’ll Investigate
How can leaves be used to classify conifers?
Materials
Pine
Cedar
Spruce
Douglas fir
Hemlock
Fir
Redwood
Arborvitae
Juniper
Clusters of needles 2-5
Clusters of Needles
Woody peg – stem is
much thicker than leaves
Goals
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Identify the difference between needlelike and scale like leaves.
Classify conifers according to their leaves
Procedure
1. Observe the leaves or illustration of each conifer, and then use the key to identify it.
2. Write the number and name of each conifer you identify in the table in the table above.
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Trees with Single
Needles
Trees with Scale-like
Leaves
Key to Classifying Leaves
1. All leaves are needlelike.
a. Yes, go to 2
b. No, got to 8
2. Needles are in clusters
a. Yes, go to 3
b. No, go to 4
3. Clusters contain 2, 3, or 5 needles
a. Yes, pine
b. No, cedar
4. Needles grow on all sides of stem.
a. Yes, go to 5
b. No, go to 7
5. Needles grow from woody peg.
a. Yes, spruce
b. No, go to 6
6. Needles appear to grow from the branch
a. Yes, Douglas fir
b. No, hemlock
7. Most of the needles grow upward
a. Yes, fir
b. No, redwood
8. All the leaves are scale like but not prickly
a. Yes, arborvitae
b. No, juniper
Part A – True or False
_____1.
Gymnosperm means naked seed.
_____2.
Ginkgo trees are gymnosperms.
_____3.
Angiosperms evolved before gymnosperms.
_____4.
Gymnosperms are vascular plants.
_____5.
In conifers, male cones are usually larger than female cones.
_____6.
The ginkgo does not do well in polluted areas.
_____7.
Most conifers are deciduous
_____8.
Ephedra is a species of conifer.
_____9.
Gnetophytes are a very ancient plant.
____10.
Welwitschia mirabilis lives an estimated two thousand years.
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Part B – Conifer Life Cycle
Label the parts of the conifer life cycle. Use the 349 new , 353 old for reference.
Writing assignments: Use the terms in the textbook to describe how fertilization and development occur in a
gymnosperm. Make sure you use your own words and that you include the following terms correctly. Be sure to
underline the terms as you use them. ( female cones, male cones, ovules, sporangium, gametophytes, pollen grains,
meiosis, haploid, diploid, fertilization, dispersal)
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Station 4 – Kingdom Plantae: Angiosperm
Activity 1 – Comparison of monocots and dicots ( 31.2 Old & New Book)
Complete the following chart by observing and inferring information about a variety of preserved and live specimens.
Use the following symbols to complete the chart:
O= observed characteristic
I = inferred information
Analyze the live specimens by looking at all of the characteristics you can observe. For example, if you have a flower to
observe you can count the petals and see the vein pattern. You will not be able to see the stem structure, but you can
infer from the petals and veins what type of stem the plant has.
You will also observe specimens under the microscope. Since you will not see the petals, you can infer from the stems
how many petals that plant would have on its flower.
Plant Number
Vein Patten on Leaf
Parallel
Netlike
Stems
Scattered
Flower Parts
Rings
Multiples of 3
Multiples of 5
Classification
Dicot
Monocot
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
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Activity 2 – Flower Dissection: Look under the microscopes where there are samples of a flower stamen under
microscope #1 and a flower ovary cross section under microscope #2. Draw each of these structures in the spaces
provided below. The third drawing is of the reproductive structures of the entire flower. Use page 350 new 354 old book
to help you draw the reproductive structures.
Flower Stamen
Flower Ovary Cross section
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Reproductive structures of flower
Questions for Activity 2
1. Why does a flower have more pollen grains than ovules? _______________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Explain why a heavy rainfall on a fruit orchard in the spring might result in a poor fruit yield in the fall.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
3. For what biological reason do farmers object to people picking apple blossoms during the apple blossom
season?
________________________________________________________________________________
4. Flowers that are pollinated by the wind have smaller petals and sepals than flowers that are pollinated
by insects or animals. Why are small petals and sepals an advantage to these flowers?
___________________________________________________________________________________
5. Why do flowers that are pollinated by insects have large, brightly colored petals?
___________________________________________________________________________________
Part A – fill in the blanks.
Word Bank
Male
Pistil
Egg cells
stamen
sperm
pollen tube
gametophyte (2 times)
pollen
ovary
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1. A flower has two major reproductive structures. The __________________________is the female reproductive
organ. At the base of the pistil is the _____________________________, which houses ovules, the female
___________________________________ generation of the plant. In each ovule, female gametes, or
______________________________, form.
2. The _________________________and anther form the _______________________________reproductive
organ. The male _________________________generation of the plant is ________________________. Within
it, the male gametes are formed.
3. When pollination occurs, a ____________________________extends from the pollen grain to the ovary, and
two __________________________travel down the tube to fertilize the eggs in the ovule.
4. Some flowers are colorful and showy. Others are small and inconspicuous. Explain how these two flower types
are adapted to different pollinators.
Colorful and showy________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Inconspicuous____________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
5. What are three was that seeds may be spread through the environment.
a. ____________________
b. ____________________
c. ____________________
Part B – Fill in the blanks
1. Name the male reproductive organ of a plant._________________________________________
2. Name the female reproductive organ of a plant._______________________________________
3. Pollen is made by the ___________________________________.
4. Eggs are made by the ___________________________________.
5. Name the parts of the stamen.________________________ and ________________________.
6. Which part of the stamen makes the pollen?___________________________________
7. What is the swollen part of a pistil called?_____________________________________
8. What do the sepals do?____________________________________________________________
9. What do you call a flower’s colorful special leaves?___________________________________
10. Label the picture. 351 new, 355 old
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Part C – Identify these structures as monocots or dicots. 621 old 623 new
1.____________________________
4._______________________
2._____________________
5._________________________
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3._________________________
6.________________________
Other Helpful Information For station 2
Section A – Mosses and ferns 17.2-17.4 New 17.3-17.6 Old and new / and information at the table
Part G – Bryotphyta and Pterophyta Division
Comparing vascular and nonvascular plants:
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Nonvascular plants do not have vascular tissues, roots, stems, or leaves.
Nonvascular plants are much smaller than most vascular plants.
Vascular plants live in more types of environments than nonvascular plants.
Mosses:
There are more than 10,000 species of moss plants. Mosses don't receive as much attention as flowering plants, ferns,
or conifers because most are small and inconspicuous. They have no vascular tissue or wood, nor do they have large
leaves or showy cones or flowers. This does not mean that mosses are not important. Mosses play important roles in
reducing erosion along streams, water and nutrient cycling in tropical forests, and insulating the arctic permafrost.
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Mosses have structures that anchor them and absorb water as well as structures that catch sunlight for
photosynthesis, but they have no true roots or leaves.
The sphagnum moss is known for its moisture holding capacity, absorbing up to 20 times its dry weight with
water.
Mosses reproduce sexually by forming spores.
A single moss "plant" is a gametophyte. Sperm from one gametophyte fertilizes the egg of another,
producing a zygote.
A stalk-like structure, called a Sporophyte, with a capsule at the top containing the spores grows
from the zygote.
Ferns:
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Ferns are vascular plants forming true roots, stems, and leaves. They reproduce sexually by forming spores, not seeds.
There was a time when ferns were the dominant form of plant life on Earth. Today, their distribution is limited by the
requirement of having drops of water at a certain time for reproduction.
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Ferns range in size from just a few inches to 25 meters in height.
Ferns can be recognized by the "feathery" appearance of their leaves.
The leaves of a fern are known as fronds.
Spores form in sacs called sporangia on the underside of the fronds.
Many ferns form a horizontal stem (rhizome) instead of a vertical one.
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Other Helpful Information for Station 3
Background information on Gymnosperm
These plants are more developed than bryophytes and pterophytes; they have vascular tissue and also produce seeds.
The word gymnosperm means “naked seed,” because the seeds inside a cone are not protected by fruit. Gymnosperms
are a group of plants that share one common characteristic: they bear seeds, but their seeds do not develop within an
ovary. For this reason, gymnosperms were long thought to be an evolutionary precursor to the angiosperms, which are
seed plants that enclose their seeds in an ovary and that are vastly more diverse than gymnosperms. Studies of their
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has shown that the gymnosperms consist of four major, related groups: conifers, cycads,
ginkgo, and gnetophytes.
Gymnosperms produce enclosed seeds held in cones. Male and female cones are separate structures. The female cones
tend to be woody and are covered by ovuliferous scales, which protect the developing seeds. In the mature cone, the
scales curl to release the seeds.
Cones that do not separate open up so that the seeds, which are equipped with a wing to aid dispersal by the wind, are
released.
Conifers
With approximately 588 living species, this is the most diverse and by far the most ecologically and economically
important gymnosperm group. Conifers grow in all climate zones and on all continents except Antarctica. They all bear
their seeds within a cone or a structure superficially resembling a berry (true berries only exist among angiosperms).
Most conifers are trees. Conifers appeared in the fossil record about 290 million years ago and have been an ecologically
important, widespread group ever since then. The female cones are much larger than the male cones in the conifer.
Most conifers are monoecious, which means each tree produces both male and female cones.
Cycads
The 220 species of cycads are widely distributed through the tropical and subtropical regions. Most of them superficially
resemble ferns, having a cluster of long pinnate (rarely bipinnate) fronds growing from a central stalk, but they differ in
developing distinctive male and female cones. Cycads are woody, long-lived, unisexual plants. All species have coralloid
roots, which support symbiotic cyanobacteria that can fix atmospheric nitrogen. The cycads and ginkgo are unique
among seed plants in having motile sperm; this is often taken as evidence of their evolutionary primitiveness. Cycads
appeared in the fossil record about 230 million years ago and attained their greatest ecological importance during the
Jurassic period, about 193 million to 136 million years ago, when they formed extensive forests.
Ginkgo
There is one surviving species of ginkgo. It is a tree, sometimes attaining large size, native to China but widely planted
around the world. Ginkgo is often referred to as a "living fossil" because nearly identical plants are known from fossils
nearly 200 million years old. The fossil record shows that they were formerly a widespread, abundant, and diverse
group. The Ginkgo is dioecious, which means the trees are either male or female. Since it is resistant to pollution, the
gingko tree is popular among city landscapers, but only the male tree because the seeds on the female tree contain the
rancid smelling butyric acid.
Gnetophytes
The gnetophytes are one of the most peculiar plant groups. They include three highly distinct groups totaling 68 species.
One group, the genus Ephedra, is composed of shrubs native to deserts and semiarid areas. The second group, the genus
Gnetum, is composed of climbing vines (and one tree species) native to tropical rainforests. The third group contains a
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single species, Welwitschia mirabilis. It lives in the desert of Southwest Africa, produces two leaves that grow
throughout the life of plant, and lives an estimated two thousand years. Although the fossil record is virtually
nonexistent, studies suggest that the Gnetales are a relatively young group that evolved from the angiosperms and thus
are unrelated to the other gymnosperms.
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Helpful Information station 4
Flowering plants:
 Angiosperms are plants that produce
true seeds and fruits from flowers.
 Angiosperms are the most successful
group of plants: they can survive a much wider
range of environments than other groups.
 Almost all human food comes from
angiosperm species, which the grass family,
including wheat, corn, rice and barley,
contributing the largest proportion.
Adult form:
 Angiosperms are a very wide group
and range from tall woody trees to small
floating water plants with almost no stem.
However, they all have flowers that produce
seeds.
 Angiosperms generally have a central
stem bearing side branches with leaves that
tend to be smaller than the large fronds of ferns, and flatter and wider than the needles of pines. Roots tend to
be well developed, and water conducting tissue in angiosperms are more advanced than in any other plant
group.
Reproduction:
 Reproduction depends on flowers, which contain the sex organs of the angiosperm. The stamen, the male
portion of the flower, produces and stores pollen, microspores containing male gametes. The stamen consists of
anthers (containing two pollen sacs) posted on stalks called filaments. The pistel or carpel, the female
reproductive organ of the flower, consists of: the stigma, the style, the ovary, and the ovule.
 The male gamete tends to leave the flower when it is produced, while the female gametes are retained in the
ovule for the hole of their life cycle. Angiosperms also produce fruits that aid in the dispersal of seeds.
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