Plant Structure and Function Lab
Title: Plant Structure and Function Lab
Objective(s):
After doing this lab, you should be able to:
Identify the correct plant tissues from the corresponding slides.
Identify the different structures of a flower.
Describe the functions of each flower structure.
Describe the functions of each plant tissue.
Answer the Analysis and Conclusion questions using multiple sentences.
Materials:
Flower (from an indoor or outdoor plant)
Scissors
Tape
Tweezers
Lab Report
Procedure:
Plant Tissues — Part 1
Review each image in your lab activity slide show. Identify the correct tissue or organ below based on each individual slide. Several of these choices may be used multiple times.
phloem
stoma
xylem
guard cells
dermal
ground
vascular
Slide 1 Slide 2 Slide 3 Slide 4 Slide 5
a. a. a. a. a.
b. b. b. b. b.
c. c. c.
d.
Flower Dissection — Part 2
Pick a flower from your yard, a public location, or somewhere in your neighborhood.
Start by removing the sepals of the flower with a tweezer. If you do not have a tweezer, a small pair of scissors will also work. It may be easiest to do this if you hold the flower with your finger from below the pedicel (small stalk just underneath the flower) and begin to remove the sepals with a pair of tweezers.
Using tweezers, place the sepals on the labelled printable worksheet, and tape them in place.
Repeat the same procedure for the petals and pistil.
Remove all but one of the stamens and tape them onto the worksheet.
On your printable worksheet, you should have sepals, petals, stamens and one pistil.
Take a picture of your worksheet with the flower pieces placed correctly, and save it on your computer. You will attach and submit this with your assessment questions.
Data:
Flower Dissection
Name of Flower Component Piece of Flower from Lab Function
Sepal
Petals
Stamen
Pistil
Analysis & Conclusion — Part 3
Plant Tissues
What are three characteristics that all species belonging to the plant kingdom have in common?
How will the numbers of stomata differ in tropical plants and desert plants? How does this help protect the health of a plant?
If a plant's xylem and phloem become damaged, what type of damage will result within the plant? Describe the different roles on the xylem and phloem in your answer.
Why do we compare the dermal tissue of plants to human skin? Explain your answer.
Would a plant be able to survive if the ground tissue was damaged? Explain your answer.
Flowering Reproduction
Describe how flowering plants reproduce.
How do flowers help other organisms in our environment?
Which parts of a plant are responsible for reproduction? Describe the role that each of them will play.
Describe what occurs during the process of seed development.
Based on your knowledge of flowers, why do you think most flowers are bright in color?
Analysis & Conclusion — Part 3
Plant Tissues
1. Three characteristics that all species belonging to the plant kingdom have in common are:
- They are multicellular organisms.
- They have cell walls made of cellulose.
- They undergo photosynthesis to produce their own food.
2. The numbers of stomata will differ in tropical plants and desert plants. Tropical plants tend to have more stomata on their leaves compared to desert plants. This is because tropical plants require more water for photosynthesis due to higher humidity levels, while desert plants need to conserve water and reduce water loss through transpiration. Therefore, having fewer stomata helps desert plants to adapt to their arid environment and prevent excessive water loss.
3. If a plant's xylem and phloem become damaged, it will result in disrupted nutrient and water transport within the plant. Xylem transports water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant, while phloem transports sugars and other organic compounds from the leaves to other parts of the plant. Without functioning xylem and phloem, the plant will struggle to get the necessary resources to survive and grow.
4. We compare the dermal tissue of plants to human skin because both serve as protective barriers for the organism. Just like human skin protects the body from external factors, dermal tissue in plants acts as the first line of defense against pathogens, UV radiation, and excessive water loss. It also helps regulate gas exchange through stomata, similar to how the skin can regulate temperature through sweat glands.
5. A plant may be able to survive if the ground tissue is damaged, but it will greatly impact its ability to function properly. The ground tissue includes cells involved in storage, photosynthesis, and support. Damaging the ground tissue could inhibit nutrient storage and transportation, reduce photosynthetic capabilities, and weaken the overall structure and stability of the plant.
Flowering Reproduction
1. Flowering plants reproduce thual reproduction. They produce flowers that contain reproductive organs. The male reproductive organ, called the stamen, produces pollen which fertilizes the female reproductive organ, the pistil. This fertilization leads to the formation of seeds, which can grow into new plants.
2. Flowers help other organisms in the environment by attracting pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and birds. These pollinators transfer pollen from one flower to another, allowing for fertilization and the production of seeds. This process is essential for the reproduction and genetic diversity of flowering plants.
3. The parts of a plant responsible for reproduction are the stamen and pistil. The stamen is the male reproductive organ, consisting of the filament and anther. The anther produces pollen. The pistil is the female reproductive organ, consisting of the stigma, style, and ovary. The stigma receives pollen, the style connects the stigma to the ovary, and the ovary contains the ovules which develop into seeds after fertilization.
4. During the process of seed development, the fertilized ovule within the ovary undergoes multiple stages of growth and development. The ovule becomes the seed, the ovary develops into the fruit, and other parts of the flower may wither and fall off.
5. Most flowers are bright in color to attract pollinators. The bright colors act as visual signals, making the flowers more noticeable and attractive to pollinators. Additionally, many flowers also produce nectar, a sugary reward for pollinators, further enticing them to visit the flowers. By attracting pollinators, flowers increase the chances of successful pollination and reproduction.