Title: Flower Variation

Purpose:

• to observe and describe the variation in flower structure

Materials:

• flowers from several different plants (10~15
• colored pencils
• magnifying glass and/or dissecting scope

Procedure:

• Observe and draw a diagram of a basic flower
  • Use diagram on page 412 of text or MendelWeb Flower Structure
    • for each flower, record species name, color, shape, number and type of pistils, number and type of stamens
    • provide a general description of the flower

      Flower Terms

      Flower Diagrams

      Flower Images

      Pistils and Anthers

      Standard Flower

    • record in a data chart format
• Answer the analysis questions

Data:

Results: This will be your drawings and descriptions

Analysis & Discussion: Answer the following questions

• Summarize what you did
• Describe the characteristics of flowers in general
• Compare and contrast the various flowers you observed
• Were all pistils and stamens the same ?
• What are the differences and similarities in ray and head flowers in composites (daisy-type flowers)
• Comment on variation flower characteristics

Conclusion: A one sentence testable statement about variation in flower characteristics

Reflection: Personal thoughts on this activity

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Resources:

• Structure of Flowers
  • http://curriculum.calstatela.edu/courses/builders/lessons/less/les8/flower.html
• Monocots and Dicots
  • http://curriculum.calstatela.edu/courses/builders/lessons/less/les8/monodiocots.html
• Judith's Garden
  • http://members.home.net/jdenuno/Garden.htm
• Wildflower Images
  • http://members.nbci.com/jdenuno/Garden/Flora.htm
• Flower Basics
  • http://www.offwell.freeuk.com/flower.htm
• Flower Diversity
  • http://www.earthfoot.org/backyard/fl_varia.html
• Strange Things Flowers Do
  • http://www.earthfoot.org/backyard/fl_other.html

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