Only the bean plants survived. I shall describe their roots. On some specimens there seem to be more roots on 2/3 grown seedlings than fully grown, so I shall use one of those as an example. The fiborous roots do not come from the taproot, they just branch off of where the taproot comes from. The taproot is all hairy with root hairs. It is very simple, but efficient.
The stems are very different. I have five specimens of various stages of growth, and only two have stems. All the others, well, they are unusable. On a 2/3 grown specimen, the stem is shaped like a very very small ?. On a full grown specimen, it is tall and straight.
As for leaves, the same is apparent. The two older specimens are the only ones to have leaves. The 2/3 grown seedling has leaves folded up in a tight trange.. They will probably unfurl as it gets older. On a fully grown specimen, there are only leaves on top, and four of those.
2. Using a head of cabbage, a stalk of celery and a clove of garlic, slice each in half and draw/label the parts that can be identified.
(left click to see more detail)
3. Explain the functions of the parts of a green plant.
Leaves absorb sunlight.
Stems process all minerals and water and store them.
Taproots take in water and minerals from the branch roots and cart them up to the stem
Branch roots absorb water and minerals.
Buds contain flowers and leaves.
Bud scales mark the place for new branches.
4b. Research carnivorous plants. Find out what specialized mechanisms these plants have that enable them to capture and eat bugs. Write a three paragraph paper describing how they do this. Use the names of some fo the plants you learned about.
A carnivorous plant is a plant that preys on insects. They get their food by trapping insects. Carnivorous plants are normally found in poor soil conditions where a regular plant that receives food by photosynthesis couldn’t live. The soil that they live in also doesn’t have lots of nutrients. Some can grow to be three feet tall or more. The carnivorous plant’s leaves usually grow close to the ground, so there is plenty of room for a pitfall trap or a flytrap. The stalk of the plant can bear flowers in spring or early summer.
The Venus flytrap is probably the most well known carnivorous plant. Insects are attracted to it by its sweet smelling and tasting nectar. Their trap is activated by an insect rubbing against two of its tooth like hairs (*Gasp in horror*). The trap can shut in less than a second and it closes by the triggering electric charges. Within 30 minutes after capturing the insect the trap is tightly shut and filled with digestive juices. After trapping an insect the trap will remain closed for 8-10 days. The plant cannot be tricked if something falls it because it will probably only touch one hair. For the Venus flytrap’s trap to work the prey must be fully inside the trap to be surrounded by digestive juices.
Pitcher plants are shaped like a pitcher of water. They can grow from 2-3 inches high to 3 feet high. Larger animals like frogs have been digested in the larger species. They have a flap above the opening of the pitcher. This prevents rainwater from getting in the trap. They have sweet nectar near the pitcher’s rim. Their insides are slippery, so that once the insect is inside the pitcher it is pretty hard to get out. At the bottom of the pitcher is where the digestive juices are and where it will digest the insects.
Bladderworts live in water. They have no roots; only stems and branches. Some grow to about 8 inches long. Bladderworts eat water fleas, mosquito larvae, and other small water critters. Water critters are attracted to the Bladderwort by its antennae. Water critters assume it is algae. Then the insects are trapped in the plant’s hollow trap. The traps are called bladders. Their leaves have trigger hairs attached like the Venus flytrap’s. The transparent trap then swells up like a water balloon. The trap will usually digest and catch prey about 15 times before dying.
EXAM
1. What are the two main types of root systems. Describe each one.
Fibrous and Taproot. Fibrous roots branch off the taproot, spreading root hairs everywhere. Taproots are thick, main, water-sucking roots. A carrot is a taproot.
2. What are the main functions of roots in green plants? Name and describe three functions.
Roots absorb water, nutrients, release used Carbon Dioxide, and keep the plant from falling over, and store collected nutrients.
3. What role do leaves play in the function of a plant?
Leaves absorb sunlight that is to be transferred into sugars.
4. Name at least three parts of plants that are commonly eaten by humans. Give an example of each.
Roots: Carrots, and potatoes, Stem: Celery, and lettuce, Fruits: Avocados, and Tomatoes.
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