Real-World Lab
OPEN-ENDED INQUIRY

Pre-Lab: Exploring Plant Diversity

Problem How many different kinds of plants are in a small ecosystem?

Materials notebook, protective work gloves, measuring tape, tweezers, scissors, small plastic bags, labels, hand lens, field guides for plants, camera (optional)

Lab Manual Chapter 22 Lab

Skills Focus Observe, Measure, Classify, Infer

Connect to the There are more than 290,000 known species of plants that exist on Earth—from tiny green algae to large-leaved ferns to imposing redwood trees. What do these species have in common? They all need light, carbon dioxide, oxygen, water, and minerals to survive. But plant species vary in the way they obtain and retain resources.

Plants have adaptations that allow them to succeed in different habitats. Thus, you will not find 290,000 species of plants in your community. But you should be able to find a variety of plants. In this lab, you will survey a small ecosystem and identify as many plant species as possible.

    Background Questions

  1. Review What are the features that botanists use to divide the plant kingdom into five major groups?

  2. Compare and Contrast Compare abiotic and biotic factors in an ecosystem.

  3. Applying Concepts Suppose an ecosystem includes a stream or pond. Would you include that part of the ecosystem in your plant survey? Explain your answer.

Pre-Lab Questions

Preview the procedure in the lab manual.

  1. Design an Experiment What are some ways that you can make sure that you survey all the plants in your ecosystem?

  2. Classify What should you do if you are not sure that an organism is a plant?

  3. Infer Why might you want to use a regional field guide rather than a national field guide when identifying plants?

Visit Chapter 22 online to test yourself on chapter content and to find activities to help you learn.

Untamed Science Video The Untamed Science biologists interview plant experts to learn about healing chemicals manufactured by plants.

Data Analysis Investigate bracken (a type of fern) to see if there is a connection between bracken and stomach cancer.

Tutor Tube Is this plant a girl? Compare animals and plants to understand plant reproduction.

Art Review See how well you can distinguish monocots and dicots.

InterActive Art Review and compare life cycles of vascular and nonvascular plants.

Art in Motion Follow the process of pollination and fertilization in a pine to see how a plant embryo is formed.

End ofPage 656

Table of Contents

Miller & Levine Biology
About the Authors
Changing the World of Biology Education
Contents
Diversity of Life: A Visual Guide DOL•1–DOL•64
Labs and Activities
Features
UNIT 1 The Nature of Life
1 The Science of Biology
2 The Chemistry of Life
Unit Project
UNIT 2 Ecology
3 The Biosphere
4 Ecosystems and Communities
5 Populations
6 Humans in the Biosphere
Unit Project
UNIT 3 Cells
7 Cell Structure and Function
8 Photosynthesis
9 Cellular Respiration and Fermentation
10 Cell Growth and Division
Unit Project
UNIT 4 Genetics
11 Introduction to Genetics
12 DNA
13 RNA and Protein Synthesis
14 Human Heredity
15 Genetic Engineering
Unit Project
UNIT 5 Evolution
16 Darwin's Theory of Evolution
17 Evolution of Populations
18 Classification
19 History of Life
Unit Project
UNIT 6 From Microorganisms to Plants
20 Viruses and Prokaryotes
21 Protists and Fungi
22 Introduction to Plants
23 Plant Structure and Function
24 Plant Reproduction and Response
Unit Project
UNIT 7 Animals
25 Introduction to Animals
26 Animal Evolution and Diversity
27 Animal Systems I
28 Animal Systems II
29 Animal Behavior
Unit Project
UNIT 8 The Human Body
30 Digestive and Excretory Systems
31 Nervous System
32 Skeletal, Muscular, and Integumentary Systems
33 Circulatory and Respiratory Systems
34 Endocrine and Reproductive Systems
35 Immune System and Disease
Unit Project
A Visual Guide to The Diversity of Life
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
THE TREE OF LIFE
Bacteria
Protists
Fungi
Plants
Animals
Appendices
Appendix A Science Skills
Appendix B Lab Skills
Appendix C Technology & Design
Appendix D Math Skills
Appendix E Periodic Table
Glossary
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q, R
S
T
U
V
W
X, Y, Z
Index
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Credits
Go to previous page Go to next page