Name ______________________________
Period ________
Date ______________
FLOWER DISSECTION LAB
PURPOSE: To observe and identify the parts of a flower and how they relate to reproduction.
Similar to all living organisms, flowering plants (angiosperms) have multiple parts they use to obtain water
and food, and also to help in reproduction. Just like advanced animals, flowers have separate male and
female parts. The parts of the flower that will be observed during this dissection are the sepal, petals,
filament, anther, pollen, ovule, ovary, style and stigma. All of these parts are important for reproduction.
PROCEDURE:
Divide your paper into 4 sections and label them Sepals, Petals, Male and Female. This is where
you will place your flower parts. Answer the questions on this paper as you go.
1. Observe all of the parts of your flower. Is it a monocot or dicot? What characteristics classify it as a
monocot or dicot?
2. On your paper, draw your flower. Label the sepals and petals. What is the function of each of these?
3. Take all of the petals and sepals off of your flower and place them on your paper. If you have several
petals, only tape a small sample of them on your paper.
4. Find the anthers and filaments of your flower, which are called the stamen. Count and record the
number of stamens. Is this the male or female part of the flower?
5. Find the stigma and style, which is called the pistil. Count and record the number of pistils. Is this the
male or female part of the flower?
Name ______________________________
Period ________
Date ______________
6. Using your index finger, touch the top of the stigma. Describe what you feel. What purpose does this
adaptation have?
7. Remove all male and female parts of your flower and tape them on your paper. Label each
appropriately.
8. Using your fingernail, carefully make a vertical incision at the base of your flower, the ovary. Carefully
open the ovary. Observe what you see in the ovary. What are these structures called and what is their
function?
9. Observe the male and female reproductive cells under a stereoscope and draw below.
Male cells __________
Female cells __________
10. What part of the flower does the fruit grow from?
CONCLUSION:
1. What are some characteristics of flowers that could attract the animals that pollinate them?
2. Examine the diagrams of fruits below. On the basis of their structures, explain how each is dispersed.
Strawberry
Dandelion
Coconut
3. How does fertilization occur in flowering plants?
4. Why do flowers produce sugary nectars or nutritious pollen?
5. Explain why pollen allergies would be blamed on wind-pollinated plants rather than animal – pollinated?
6. Label the parts of the flower and include the function of each.