Plants
Notes
Name: _______________________________________________
VA SOL:
Standard 4.1
The student will plan and conduct investigations in which
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
distinctions are made among observations, conclusions, inferences, and predictions;
hypotheses are formulated based on cause-and-effect relationships;
variables that must be held constant in an experimental situation are defined;
appropriate instruments are selected to measure linear distance, volume, mass, and
temperature;
appropriate metric measures are used to collect, record, and report data;
data are displayed using bar and basic line graphs;
numerical data that are contradictory or unusual in experimental results are
recognized; and
predictions are made based on data from picture graphs, bar graphs, and basic line
graphs.
Standard 4.4
The student will investigate and understand basic plant anatomy and life processes. Key
concepts include
a)
b)
c)
d)
the structures of typical plants and the function of each structure;
processes and structures involved with plant reproduction;
photosynthesis; and
adaptations allow plants to satisfy life needs and respond to the environment.
Parts of a Plant
Mastery Objective: You will analyze a common plant, identifying the roots, stems, leaves,
and flowers and explaining the function of each part.
In the space below, label the parts of a common plant.
Describe the purpose or function of each part:
Roots:
 ___________________ the plant
 Take ____________________ and ___________________ from
the soil
 There are 2 types of roots
o ____________________ roots are long and thick.
o ____________________ roots are thinner and branching
Leaves:
 Absorb _____________________________.
 Produce ________________________ from water and carbon
dioxide through ___________________________
 Leaf cells contain _____________________ which make the cells
green
 The ________________________ are special parts of the leaf
found on the bottom that allow carbon dioxide, water vapor and
oxygen to enter and leave the leaf.
Stems:
 Provide _________________________
 Allow movement of _______________ and __________________
 Two parts of the stem:
o ________________________- carry water and nutrients to
the leaves from the roots
o _______________________- carry food/sugars from the
leaves to the rest of the plant.
Flowers:
 Contain _________________________________ parts of the
plant.
 Produce _____________________ and ____________________
Photosynthesis
Mastery Objective: You will explain the process of photosynthesis,
using the following terminology: sunlight, chlorophyll, water, carbon
dioxide, oxygen, and sugar.
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants produce their own food.
Sugar
(glucose)
The chlorophyll inside the leaf absorbs the energy from the sunlight.
Chemical reactions in the chlorophyll convert the carbon dioxide and
water into sugar and oxygen. Explain this process in your own words.
To Seed or Not to Seed?
Mastery Objective: You will differentiate the two main ways plants
reproduce.
Plants can be categorized by the way they _____________________.
They can reproduce using :
 _________________________
 _________________________
Spores come from non-flowering plants like ________________,
_______________________, and ______________________.
Seeds come from flowering plants.
Explain how ferns and mosses are different from plants like roses and
daisies.
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Parts of a Flower
Mastery Objective: You will identify and label the reproductive parts
of a flower.
Pollination
Mastery Objective: You will describe the process of pollination of a
flowering plant.
Background: Ultimately, all life on Earth depends on plants to provide food, shelter,
and oxygen. Because of this, plant reproduction is very important to all living
things. The first step of plant reproduction is pollination. The process of pollination
begins when pollen grains (male reproductive cells) reach the stigma (the female
reproductive part) of the same species of plant. Some plant species have one
flower with just male parts and another with just female parts, while others have
both male and female parts within the same flower. Animals assist in the pollination
of more than 90 percent of the flowers on Earth. Wind and rain assist the rest. In
order to attract pollinators, plants have adapted in many ways: they produce sweet
nectar, colorful petals, and attractive aromas.
 Pollen is produced by the _________________________.
 It is transferred to the __________________________
by wind rain or a pollinator (a bee, bird, insect or other
animal).
 When the pollen reaches the __________________ a
________________________ is formed.
 The pollen goes down the pollen tube to the
_________________________.
 The pollen fertilizes an __________.
 The fertilized egg forms an _______________.
Use the diagram to explain pollination in the space below:
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Germination
Mastery Objective: You will be able to describe the process of
germination in flowering plants.
The
embryo inside the seed is sometimes found within a fruit.
The fruit helps:
 _____________________ the seed
 _____________________ animals for dispersal of the seeds.
Once the seeds land on the soil and conditions are right,
___________________________________ occurs.
Germination is the process by which an embryo emerges from the seed and
develops into a plant.
Describe the life cycle of the plant shown in the space below.
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Plant Adaptations
Mastery Objective: You will explain some adaptations of plants to their
environments including dormancy, response to light, and response to moisture .
DORMANCY
Dormancy is a period of ________________________ life processes brought on by
______________________ in the environment.
Examples of dormancy:

Deciduous trees _____________________ their leaves in the winter when temperatures
drop and days are shorter.

Seeds do not ________________________ until conditions are such that the plant can
grow.

Some lawn grasses turn ______________________ during very hot, dry summer months.
RESPONSE TO LIGHT
RESPONSE TO MOISTURE
Plants move and grow toward or away from
Plants move and grow toward or away from
light depending on their needs. This is called
moisture depending on their needs. This is
_______________________________.
called ____________________________.
Some plants like cacti absorb water in their
stems and leaves to store for a dry time.
Unit Schedule for students:
DAY
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
ACTIVITIES
Introduce the unit and project.
Magic School Bus video
HW- Read text pages 103-109
Parts of the Plant
TSWBAT: analyze a common plant, identifying the roots, stems, leaves, and
flowers and explaining the function of each part.
HW: Read text pages 110-113, work on project.
Photosynthesis
TSWBAT: explain the process of photosynthesis, using the following
terminology: sunlight, chlorophyll, water, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and sugar.
Gizmos Activity- Due Day 6
HW- Study for Quiz, work on project
Photosynthesis Quiz (Lesson 1 Quiz from text)
Parts of the Flower
TSWBAT: identify and label the reproductive parts of a flower.
HW: Read text pages 117-121, work on project
Pollination
TSWBAT: describe the process of pollination of a flowering plant.
Gizmos Activity – Due Day 8
HW: Study for quiz; Read pages 122-123, work on project
Quiz #2- Photosynthesis and Pollination
To Seed or not to Seed
TSWBAT: differentiate the two main ways plants reproduce.
HW: Read pages 124-127, work on project
Germination and Life Cycle
TSWBAT: describe the process of germination in flowering plants.
HW: Read pages 128-132, work on project
Adaptations
TSWBAT: explain some adaptations of plants to their environments including
dormancy, response to light, and response to moisture .
HW: Study notes for test on Day 10, work on project
REVIEW- Project due.
Play “Croak!” or another review game to prepare for the test.
HW:Study for test- class notes are your study guide
TEST
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Stem Experiment
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Observations:
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Observation
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Observations:
Date/ picture
Observation
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Results:
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Conclusion:
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