Dicot Flower Dissection Lesson Overview Flowers use pollination as a mechanism for reproduction and survival. Students will learn about pollination and how each structure plays a role in this process. They will also learn what other organisms are essential for the transfer of pollen. Objectives Analyze the reproductive parts of a flower Learn that plants have internal and external structures that support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction Conduct research about pollination and make conclusions about how each structure plays a role in this process Standards (NGSS and Common Core) For state specific standards visit edu.zspace.com/activities Next Generation Science Standards Life Science Structures and Processes o 4- LS1-1 Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. Common Core Connections Language Arts o W.4.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information. Grade Level: 3 rd 5 th Lesson Time: 60 Minutes Key Terms: Petal Pistil (Stigma, Style, Ovary, Ovule) Pollen Pollination Receptacle Sepal Stamen (Anther, Filament) Resources: Answer Key Parts of a Flower worksheet Materials needed: Research center about pollination Dissection center with real flowers (optional) Differentiation Group students heterogeneously to allow students with a strong command of the English language to assist in reading or interpreting questions Provide paper copies of diagrams to students to use as a reference Provide a handout with a list of vocabulary terms and definitions that will appear in their activity Allow students to provide answers that are handwritten, typed, or verbal Work in partners or small groups (younger children could partner with older buddies) Enrichment: Students could work on the discussion questions and lead the class discussion Enrichment: Students could build models of concept Dicot Flower Dissection 1
Introduction The teacher will explain that both plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. The students will take a closer look at the structures of a flower and learn about their functions. The teacher will ask students which parts they already know. Activity Dicot Flower Dissection 1. Open the "Dicot Flower Dissection" session in Cyber Science 3D. 2. Click on the Presenter mode at the top left corner of the screen. This will display a list of slides along the left side. 3. Follow the presentation: Click on the Play Slides button to pause the session at the first slide. When you are ready for the next slide, click the next slide on the list. Follow the directions on each slide and explore at your own pace. 4. Analyze each part of the flower carefully. Draw a cross- section of a flower and label its parts on the worksheet "The Parts of a Flower." 5. At another center using textbooks and the internet, conduct additional research about flowers and pollination. On the provided worksheet, record how each flower structure plays a role in pollination. Describe what other organisms are essential for the transfer of pollen. 6. At a third center (optional), dissect a real flower and compare its internal and external structures to the ones that you observed in the virtual flower. Closing After the students complete their worksheets, they will discuss their findings. They will discuss the internal and external reproductive structures of the flower. They will share their findings regarding pollination and the role of each structure in this process. They will also explain what other organisms they found to be essential for the transfer of pollen. 1. Based on your observations of the Dicot flower, why are its structures so important for survival and reproduction? Answers will vary. Sample Answer: The Dicot has both male and female parts that actively play a role in the pollination process. Without these structures, the Dicot would not be able to reproduce and survive. 2. If you were to observe the parts of another type of flower, do you think you would find the same structures? Why or why not? Answers will vary Sample Answer: Some flowers may have similar structures but not all flowers. Each species will vary slightly. All flowering plants will have some kind of structures that are used for reproduction. Dicot Flower Dissection 2
Investigate Further Extension Activity: Students could bring in various types of flowers. They could compare and contrast their internal and external structures to find similarities and differences. Extension Activity: Students could observe various types of flowers and make observations about their symmetry. They could classify flowers into two groups: symmetrical and asymmetrical. Then they could draw the symmetrical flowers and show where the line of symmetry should be. Answer Key Dicot Flower Dissection Activity Questions provided in Cyber Science 3D 1. What is pollination? Why is it important? Answers will vary. Sample Answer: Pollination is the process when pollen is transferred from the male to the female part of the flower, resulting in fertilization and reproduction. Pollination is essential for survival of the flowering plant. 2. Describe how each flower part plays a role in the pollination process. Answers will vary. Sample Answer: The male part of the flower, or stamen, consists of the anther and filament. The female part, or pistil, consists of the stigma, style, and ovary. Pollen is transferred from the anther to the stigma, often by other organisms. The pollen then moves down the style to the ovary where fertilization occurs. The pollen fuses with the ovule to produce a seed, thereby completing the reproduction process. 3. What organisms help transfer pollen? Answers will vary. Sample Answer: Bees, flies, bats, birds, as well as various reptiles and mammals are often essential for the transfer of pollen. However, some flowers are able to self- pollinate. Dicot Flower Dissection 3
The Parts of a Flower Directions: Draw a cross section of a flower. Label the parts listed below. Stem Petals Sepals Stamen Filament Anther Pollen Pistil Stigma Style Ovary Ovule Dicot Flower Dissection 4
What is pollination? Why is it important? Describe how each flower part plays a role in the pollination process. What organisms help transfer pollen? Dicot Flower Dissection 5