Mini pace plants introduction Please take out your science journal!

BIOLOGY OF PLANTS Plants are alive, just like people and animals. How do we know this? Living things all do certain things: They grow and die. They need energy, nutrients, air, and water. They produce young. They are made up of cells. They react to what's around them.

… a baby plant ... a hard case to protect the plant ... food to last until the plant sprouts ... even a complete set of instructions!

What is a seed? A seed is a miniature plant with a protective cover in a suspended (paused) state of development.  Most seeds contain a built-in food supply called endosperm (an orchid is an exception).  The endosperm can be made up of proteins, carbohydrates, or fats.

What Do Seeds Need to Start to Grow? Seeds wait to germinate until three needs are met: Water correct temperature (warmth) a good location (such as in soil) During its early stages of growth, the seedling relies upon the food supplies stored within it in the seed until it is large enough for its own leaves to begin making food through photosynthesis.

What’s next? The seedling's roots push down into the soil to anchor the new plant and to absorb water and minerals from the soil. Its stem with new leaves pushes up toward the light. The germination stage ends when a shoot emerges from the soil. But the plant is not done growing. It's just started. Plants need water, warmth, nutrients from the soil, and light to continue to grow. Germination in Action

What is a cotyledon? cot·y·le·don ˌkätlˈēdn/ nounBotany noun: cotyledon; plural noun: cotyledons an embryonic leaf in seed-bearing plants, one or more of which are the first leaves to appear from a germinating seed. Mono = 1 Monocot = 1 embryonic leaf Di = 2 Dicot = 2 embryonic leaves

Emergence of a monocot corn plant

Progression of a monocot corn seed

Emergence of a dicot bean plant

Progression of a dicot bean seed

Monocot vs Dicot Video Clip

Why do you need to know about plants? You will be designing an experiment and collecting data over the next 6 weeks. This experiment will give you a brief preview of PACE in 8th grade. What is our question? How can you as a 7th grader alter plant growth to make the plant grow faster?

Mini pace project You can choose to work with a partner of your choice BUT if you are not on task you will continue on your own. You can also choose to work alone. You must think of a pace experiment that is changing only one variable for one plant and keeping the other plant a constant.

Research You, or you and your partner, are going to have to do a little research on your own. You may refer to the notes you just took during this PowerPoint. You may also use your phone/IPOD to look up more information. You are going to have to find out what plants need to live and survive. What could you alter/change that you think would make it grow better? You may alter only 1 variable! You will also have to determine what materials you are going to need.

You will need to bring… Something to put your plants in. They can be recycled water bottles, 2 liter bottles, small pots, or what ever you decide to use. The 2 containers MUST be exactly the same to keep them as a constant in your experiment. 6 bean or corn seeds Potting soil (not dirt) to fill up your pots. It must be the same brand and quantity to keep the growing medium constant.

Materials I will be providing a place to keep your plant so that we can check and track data on a weekly basis. If you are in need of other materials you can check with me first to see what I have, after you have a question determined.

Pick your partner and start brainstorming!