The Advantageous Past, Present and Future of Chloroplast
- Biology Plant WebQuest
INTRODUCTION:
Different types of plants have different characteristics. In this activity, you will find out just how different they are
by gathering information on plant diversity. Throughout the activity, continue to ask yourself the question, “How
do various organisms accomplish essential life functions?”
The field of plant biotechnology is concerned with developing ways to improve the production of plants in order to
supply the world’s needs for food, fiber and fuel. In addition, plants provide us with many pharmaceuticals and
industrial compounds. As our population grows, our needs also grow. To increase the quantity of crop production
as well as to produce specific characteristics in plants, biotechnologists are using selective gene techniques. These
techniques will be looked at later in the webquest. Ask yourself the question, “Should Genetically Modified
Crops Be Allowed?”
Learner will develop abilities necessary to do and understand scientific inquiry.
Analyze reports of scientific investigations from an informed scientifically literate viewpoint
Learner will develop an understanding of the unity and diversity of life.
Analyze the processes by which organisms representative of the following groups accomplish essential life
functions including
Learner will develop and understanding of the techniques, uses and processes of genetically modified
plants.
Analyze the value of genetically modified crops
RESOURCES/MATERIALS: Computer with internet access
TIME FRAME: 5-50 minute periods
PROCEDURE: Visit the indicated websites and use these sites to answer the following questions about
plants
TASK
On a recent trip you found four plants that you think may not have ever been found before. Before informing
anyone else on this find you wish to learn what phyla each plant belongs to.
This is the information you have gained on each plant:
Plant 1: Found in a cool region during a drought. Has seeds.
Plant 2: Found by a creek. Does not have a vascular system.
Plant 3: A few flower buds are located on plant.
Plant 4: Found in a tropical region. Has a vascular system.
Which of the 4 would be the easiest to clone and why?
PROCESS
Your role will be to watch various video clips and view an assortment of web pages dedicated to the specific
division of plants and the biotechnology of plants. Enjoy your in-depth journey through the Plant Kingdom.
RESOURCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY
Montgomery College Biotech Institute – Plant Resource Guide
PBS
Fulton-Montgomery Community College
Rubric from www.uen.org/Rubric/rubric.cgi?rubric_id=14
New Hampshire Public Television
Define the following terms:
Vascular Plant
NonVascular Plant
Monocot
Dicot
NonVascular Plants
Division Bryophyta
VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE:
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http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep14c.htm
What anchoring structure do mosses have instead of roots?
Why are mosses usually restricted to moist habitats?
What is the first generation produced in mosses?
What is the second generation produced in mosses?
What structures are absent in liverworts?
Where are hornworts found?
VIEW THE FOLLOWING ANIMATION: http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/content/moss.html
Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
Division Pterophyta: Ferns
WATCH THE FOLLOWING VIDEO CLIP:
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/science/plant-reproduction-videos-playlist.htm#video-30696
VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE:
1.
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6.
http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep14ferns.htm
Where do ferns grow best?
What are fern leaves called?
What are the horizontal stems of ferns called?
What do ferns have instead of seeds?
What is the gametophyte stage of a fern called?
About how many species of ferns are there?
Division Coniferophyta: Gymnosperms
VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE:
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http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep14e.htm
Spruce, cedar, and pine trees are all examples of _______________.
How does the cone shape help protect the plants from snow?
About how many species of conifers are there?
What type of gymnosperm resembles a palm, but is not really a palm?
What group of gymnosperms has only one surviving species?
Where are ginkgo biloba trees originally from?
VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE:
http://faculty.fmcc.suny.edu/mcdarby/Animals&PlantsBook/Plants/04-Gymnosperms.htm
1. What adaptation allowed plants to make the move to life on land?
2. List the four groups of gymnosperms and give an example of each.
3. Gymnosperms were the first widely distributed plant group; what major animal group are gymnosperms
linked to?
4. What is the “main plant” of gymnosperms?
5. What are cones?
6. What is the advantage of a needle over a flat leaf?
7. What is the function of a cuticle?
Division Anthophyta: Angiosperms
WATCH THE FOLLOWING VIDEO CLIP:
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/science/flowering-plants-videos-playlist.htm#video-27703
VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE:
http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep14f.htm
1. Angiosperms are _________________ plants.
2. Where are angiosperm seeds found?
3. What process must angiosperms go through before they can reproduce?
4. What are the male sex organs of angiosperms?
5. Where is the pollen made in angiosperms?
6. What are the female sex organs of angiosperms?
7. Where is the pollen left on angiosperms?
8. What does cross-pollinate mean?
9. How many seed leaves do monocots start with?
10. How many seed leaves do dicots start with?
11. About how many species of monocots are there?
12. About how many species of dicots are there?
VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE:
http://faculty.fmcc.suny.edu/mcdarby/Animals&PlantsBook/Plants/05-Angiosperms.htm
1. Even though most plants are angiosperms, gymnosperms still have an advantage in certain environments.
In what type of environments are gymnosperms more successful than angiosperms?
2. Angiosperms get their name because the _____________ are produced inside a ____________.
3. Besides the sporophyte embryo, what is in a seed?
4. What is the function of the fruit in an angiosperm?
WATCH THE FOLLOWING VIDEO CLIPS:
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/science/flowering-plants-videos-playlist.htm#video-7853
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/science/flowering-plants-videos-playlist.htm#video-9211
5.
6.
7.
8.
List two types of fruits that are designed to fly through the air.
List one type of fruit that is designed to float across water.
List one type of fruit that is designed to attach to passersby.
Angiosperms are vascular plants with xylem and phloem. In which direction does xylem flow?
Phloem flow?
9. Angiosperms have true roots; what are the two functions of roots?
10. Angiosperms have stems; what are the two functions of stems?
11. What structure is the site of photosynthesis in angiosperms?
12. How can a plant control the amount of carbon dioxide it takes in and the amount of water it loses?
13. What type of stem is capable of photosynthesis?
14. What type of stem is present in trees
15. What is the ovary converted to in angiosperms?
16. Fill in the missing information for the chart below.
17. Monocots
18. Dicots
19.
20. Two-piece seeds
21. Flower parts in multiples of 3
22.
23. Parallel leaf veins
24.
25.
26. Root systems have one major
root
28.
27. Stems don’t grow in ring pattern
29. Animals and plants have evolved together, with animals acting as pollinators for plants. List two examples
of this type of coevolution.
WATCH THE FOLLOWING VIDEO CLIP:
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/science/flowering-plants-videos-playlist.htm#video-27703
BIOTECHNOLOGY OF PLANTS
Plant Tissue Culture (PTC):
Through the use of biotechnology, wanted genetic traits can be transferred from one organism to another by
transfer of DNA. Many more plants with the desirable DNA can be regenerated from small pieces of the
transformed plant tissue. Examples of plants produced using tissue culture include the large variety of ornamental
plants; agricultural crops such as strawberry, banana, potato, and tomato; and a variety of medicinal plants.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/tisscult/pltissue/pltissue.html
1. Summarize this article involving the different types of plant tissue cultures
VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE:
http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/bio/tissue.htm
How are species selected for tissue culture?
VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE:
2.
Summarize the following applications for tissue culture
3 Micropropagation
4 Production of disease-free plants
5 Plant breeding
6 Production of disease- and pest-resistant plants
7.
What technique and structure of the plant is used most often in the cloning process.
Genetically Engineered Plants
Successfully, our ancestors have been improving crops and livestock for thousands of years through selective
breeding or crossbreeding to produce desired traits. Biotechnology is just an extension of this process. Genes are
added, deleted or temporarily silenced to produce desired results. Genetic engineering involves cutting and
moving snippets of DNA from one plant to another. Permanently integrating new DNA into a plant’s original
DNA forms what’s known as a transgenic plant or genetically modified organism (GMO).
8.
Using a search engine of your choice, what are 4 major goals of genetic engineering of plants:
9.
Using a search engine of your choice, what are 4 genetically engineered traits in plants:
More than 60% of processed foods in the US contain ingredients that come from genetically engineered plants.
Although 12 different genetically engineered plants have been approved in the US, not all are on the market.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/harvest/
Click on “Should We Grow GM Crops” and follow the directions with the online questions.
Click on Engineer a Crop and read the short introduction
Click on Selective Breeding and follow the directions to end up with the most successful and largest ear of corn.
Click on Transgenic Manipulation and crate a transgenic plant
Click on “What’s Coming to Dinner” and click on the foods to see what the future holds in genetically modified
foods.
VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE:
http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/exhibitdna/crops04activity.jsp
Work your way through the tutorial that explores the maize (corn) genome.
VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE:
Textiles and Biotechnology
Biotechnology has changed the textiles industry through the development of more efficient and environmentally
friendly manufacturing processes. Some of biotechnology's key roles are the production and modification of
enzymes used for improving textiles. Biotechnology has also facilitated the production of novel and biodegradable
fibers from biomass feedstocks.
Enzymes in Textiles
De-sizing of cotton
Retting of flax.
Stonewashing and polishing
Detergents
Novel Fibers
10.
Bleaching fibers
Choose 2 of the above processes and summarize.
http://www.exploratorium.edu/theworld/gm/test.html
Take the quiz and record your answers on your answer Sheet (question 11-20)
VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE:
Biofuels
The United States imports over half of its petroleum. Since the U.S economy is so closely tied with petroleum
products and oil imports, small changes in oil prices or disruptions in oil supplies can have an enormous impact on
our economy.
11.
What are the 2 types of biofuels?
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html
Read and summarize how to make your own biodiesel fuel. Record the recipe of biodiesel.
VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE:
12.
Questions to Guide Analysis:
Now that you’re finished, identify the plants and write a conclusion comparing and contrasting the
bryophytes, ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms. Include an explanation as to why angiosperms have
been more successful than other plants. Discuss the value of co-evolution as it relates to angiosperm success.
Additionally, provide your answer to whether or not genetically modified plants should be created. Provide
support for your answer based on the information you have collected.
Rubric:
All questions should be correctly completed.
Use the rubric on the next page for the paragraph:
Excellent
Fair
Needs Improvement
Science Content
Accurate; Connected to big ideas
in science
Mostly accurate; Connections to big Inaccurate; Not connected to big
ideas are not clear
ideas in science
Information Sources
Multiple sources; Wide range of
resource types; Reliable sources;
Current sources
Two or more sources; Two types of One source (often personal
resources; Some reliable sources; knowledge or text only); Narrow
Some current sources;
range of resources; Unreliable
sources; Out of date sources
Organization & Presentation Main ideas are clearly presented;
Ideas are presented in an
appropriate order; Ideas are
supported by information and
logic; Appropriate conclusions are
based upon evidence presented;
Effective use of models,
diagrams, charts, and graphs
Main ideas are presented to some
extent; Ideas are not presented in
an order that adds clarity; Some
ideas are supported by information
and logic; Conclusions do not
follow from ideas presented; Some
appropriate use of models,
diagrams, charts, and graphs
No main idea presented; Ideas are
presented in an order that distracts
from clear communication; Ideas
are not supported by information
and are illogical; Inappropriate
conclusions are presented No use
of models, diagrams, charts, and
graphs
Conventions
Generally error free in regards to
sentence structure, punctuation,
capitalization, spelling, and
standard usage
Sentence structure, punctuation,
capitalization, spelling, and
standard usage errors are
noticeable, but do not seriously
impair readability
Errors in sentence structure,
punctuation, capitalization, spelling,
and standard usage impair
readability
Use of Science Language
Consistent use of appropriate
science language and
terminology
Partial use of appropriate science
language and terminology
Inaccurate use of science language
and terminology