creativeminds
Investigate!
Fly Trap
You are a plant scientist who needs to make a model to
show how a Venus Fly Trap (or other carnivorous plant)
catches insects for a science fair.
You will need to research the mechanism of the plants and try to use
materials available to illustrate this.
You have
Polystyrene fast food trays and as much junk modeling equipment as possible, card
fabric, tissue paper etc.
Balloons and straws or a hydraulic kit to make the closing mechanism.
An old brush or wool for the sensitive hairs on the plant.
If possible a Venus Fly Trap, or similar plant, from a garden centre.
Activity
1.
The Venus Fly Trap is a carnivorous plant that is able to catch and digest insects.
When the lobes are open they secrete a sweet smelling nectar that attracts
insects. The insects land on the plant and become stuck. As they wriggle to try to
escape, they stimulate the hairs on the lobes which cause the lobes to close
tightly, trapping the insect inside. The plant then produces enzymes which digest
the insect. A few days later the plant lobes open and release the empty
exoskeleton of the insect. Each pair of lobes can digest up to ten insects before
turning black and dropping off.
You may want to look up the Venus Fly Trap on the internet or in a book for more
info.
2.
Using balloons and/or hydraulics if available with the polystyrene trays and other
junk modeling equipment make a pair of Venus Fly Trap lobes that will open and
close using air pressure (balloons and straws) or water pressure (syringes and
balloons). Work individually or in pairs.
Try to make the leaves as well and maybe put all your creations together to make
a monster carnivorous plant display!
Useful Questions
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Why do you think that these plants evolved with this ability?
All the carnivorous plants are quite small, certainly not tree size, why do you think
this is?
How do most green plants get their nutrition?
Why is it important for the nectar from these plants to smell very sweet?
creativeminds
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Investigate!
How do plants transport nutrients and water around from the leaves to the roots
etc? Can you think of an experiment to test your ideas?
Research Opportunities
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Make a list of the similarities and differences between yourself and a Venus Fly
Trap.
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Comment on the statement "Lions and Carnivorous Plants are all Predators" How
are they the same? How are they different?
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Find out all you can about enzymes. Humans use enzymes to digest their food.
Where are they produced and where are they used?
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Can you find any carnivorous plants that are native to the United Kingdom?
Can you find out about carnivorous plants in other parts of the world?
Design your own carnivorous plant that is able to catch and digest another
species. How does it attract its prey and where will it digest it?
Useful Websites
These links are good for information about carnivorous plants to help you with your
research:
http://www.mikeking64.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ssar/plants.htm (this one has animation')
http://www.carnivorousplants.org/
http://www.flowers.org.uk/plants/plantfacts/venus_fly_trap.htm
The Creative Minds project works with museums libraries and
archives across the Yorkshire region, to provide young people with
learning opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths
(S.T.E.M.). This ground-breaking project is the first of its
kind in the country and is managed by MLA Yorkshire. This
pack was developed by Creative Minds and Eureka! The
Museum for Children with funding from Yorkshire Forward.