Pre-Lab: Identifying Growth Zones in Roots
Problem Where does growth occur in plant roots?
Materials 150-mL beaker, paper towels, large bean seeds, petri dish, masking tape, metric ruler, fine-tip permanent marker
Lab Manual Chapter 23 Lab
Skills Focus Design an Experiment, Measure, Organize Data, Analyze Data
Connect to the A plant's root system absorbs nutrients, stores food, and provides support for the rest of the plant. As a plant grows, the root system must be able to absorb more nutrients, store more food, and provide more support. Thus, growth in the root system must keep pace with growth in the other parts of a plant. Where in a root does the growth occur that increases the root's length? In this lab, you will design an experiment to answer this question.
Review What are the three principal organs of seed plants?
Compare and Contrast What are the main functions of dermal tissue, vascular tissue, and ground tissue?
Review What are meristems?
Preview the procedure in the lab manual.
Predict A root is marked at two points along its length. What will happen to the distance between these marks if the root grows longer only near the tip? What will happen if growth occurs evenly along the entire length of the root?
Design an Experiment The procedure in Part A asks you to use four seeds. Why not use two seeds instead?
Design an Experiment How will you keep track of which seedling is which?
Visit Chapter 23 online to test yourself on chapter content and to find activities to help you learn.
Untamed Science Video The Untamed Science crew takes you to several exotic locations to see unique plant structures and adaptations.
Data Analysis Find out how plants “breathe” through stomata as conditions change.
Tutor Tube Tune in to Tutor Tube to see how new tissue growth makes plants taller.
Art Review Test your knowledge of leaf structures.
Art in Motion See how plant roots absorb nutrients and water molecules.
Visual Analogy Compare the motion of clowns climbing a ladder with water molecules being pulled up a tree.