Let Science Shine On

The Life Cycle of Flowering Plants

• SC.4.L.16.1 - Identify processes of sexual reproduction in flowering plants, including pollination, fertilization (seed production), seed dispersal, and germination. (Assessed as SC.3.L.14.1.)

• SC.3.L.14.1 - Describe structures in plants and their roles in food production, support, water and nutrient transport, and reproduction.  

2

Life Cycle

of a Flowering Plant

Schoolyard Field Study: Observing a Wild Flower

Materials: A partner, plastic knife, hand lens, paper towel, wild flower (weed) Procedures:• Pick a small plant to observe with a partner.• Dig it out of the ground carefully and shake off the

dirt.• Draw your plant and label the parts.• Use a hand lens to observe each part and sketch

observations.• Use sensory words to describe the your plant.• Be ready to share with the class.

Plants Parts

Word Bank: roots stem leaf flower

The Life Cycle of Flowering Plants

Purpose of a Flower

Are Flowers More Than Just Pretty?

Flower Power• Essential Question: What are the parts of

a flower and the function of each part?• Learning Goals: Observe and identify flower parts. Reconstruct a flower model. Recognize the function of a flower, identifying the processes of reproduction including pollination, fertilization, seed dispersal, and germination.

• Let’s visit a flower garden as we read our Flower Power booklet

The Parts of a FlowerWhat are the three main parts of flowers?

• petals• stamens• pistil

Parts of a Flower

The Stamen:Male Reproductive Part

of a Flower

Anther: pollen grains (sperm cells) grow in the anther.

Filament:holds the anther

The Pistil:Female Reproductive

Parts of a Flower

StigmaStyleOvary (carpel)Eggs(ovules)

Materials: 1 flower, plastic knife, hand lens, ruler, tweezers, dark sheet of paper

• Use the Flower Power Procedure and materials/tools and Flower Power booklet to dissect your flower.

• Examine each part with the hands lens.• Complete the Parts of the Flower

Observation sheet.

Let’s Explore the Parts of a Flowerhttp://naturalsciences.sdsu.edu/classes/lab2.6/lab2.6.html#anchor20015960

The Parts of a Flower• Sepals protect the bud

until it opens.• Petals attract insects.• Stamens make pollen.• Pistil contain the ovary

which contains the ovules (eggs).

• When fertilized, ovules grow into fruits which contain seed.

Parts of a Flower

Word Bank: petal pistil sepal stamen stem

2. _____1

3.3. _____

4. ______has three parts: a. Stigma b. Style c. Ovary

4c.

4a..4b.

5. ______ has two parts:

a. antherb. filament

5a..

5.b

Quiz

2.

Flower Puzzle PageAssessment

Materials: scissors, glue stick, paper, colored pencils, Flower Power booklet

• Cut out and assemble your flower puzzle.• Glue into your journal.• Label parts.

Stories Must Include:• Common & scientific

name• Description of the flower• Explanation of the role of

the flower in the life cycle of the plant

• Use or value of the plant

Writing Assessment Rubric:• Accuracy of information• Creativity• Use of vivid vocabulary• Description of flower• Plant’s use or value

Flower Power WritingWhy Do Plants Make Flowers?

Pollination is the act of transferring pollen grains from the male anther of the stamen to the female stigma.

• Pollen lands on a female pistil, sperm cells move down to the ovary, fertilizing the egg cells.

• Fertilization combines DNA.• The result is a seed with a tiny plant inside.• The ovary grows into a fruit to protect the seeds.

What is Pollination?

Gizmos: Flower Pollination

Pollinators

• Animals, wind, and water can all help in the transfer of pollen.

• We call animals or insects that transfer pollen from plant to plant "pollinators ".

• The flower type, shape, color, odor, nectar, and structure vary by the type of pollinator that visits them.

Wind Pollination• Some flowers, such as grasses, do not have

brightly colored petals and nectar to attract insects.

These flowers are pollinated by the wind.

Flowering plants use:

• the wind• insects • bats • birds• mammals

to transfer pollen from the stamen (male) part of the flower to the stigma (female) part of the flower.

Check Point • What is pollination?• How do flowering plants depend on other

living things in order to reproduce?• Why are young plants like but not identical

to their parents?

Gone to Seed

Three main parts:1. seed coat - a covering with two roles: - Protects new plant called embyro

- Guards stored food called endosperm.2. endosperm – stored food3. embryo – The new plant with structures

called seed leaves or cotyledons.

Observing SeedsSenses & Hand Lens• Sight - Looks• Touch - Feels• Hearing – Sounds

when dropped• Odor – Smells

Qualitative Observations

Measurement Tools• Ruler• Tape measure• Balance• Gram mass pieces

Quantitative Observations

Observing a Seed 1. Observe the outside of a dry bean seed with a

hand lens. Draw it and write down four or more properties including length and width.

2. Get a wet bean seed to observe. Draw it and write down four or more properties including length and width.

3. Why is the wet seed larger?4. Split it open and observe its parts. Draw and

label its inside including the seed coat, cotyledon, and embryo.

Wet Bean

Cotyledon or

1st Lets make Dry SeedObservations:

Length:

Width:

Mass:

Color:

Texture:

2nd Let’s explore …

3rd

How do seeds get dispersed from a plant into the ground?

• Some seeds are hidden in the ground by animals such as squirrels as a winter store.

• Some seeds have hooks on them and cling to fur or clothes.

How do birds and animals help seed dispersal?

• Birds and animals eat the fruits and excrete the seeds away from the parent plant.

Ways Seeds are Carried Away from a Plant • Animal-carried • Animal-consumed• Water-borne• Wind-borne• Propelled

Seed Germination

• Water• Oxygen• Proper temperature• Some require proper light

What do seeds need to sprout?

Seed Germination

What are the variables that affect germination?

Test your ideas on the Gizmo: Germination. www.explorelearning.com

What did we learn?• Water• Proper temperature• Some require proper light • Oxygen

Guided Inquiry Problem Statement: Do all seeds germinate at the

same time?Hypothesis: Design a Fair Test:Variables: Test Outcome Control/Constants

MaterialsProcedures:Experiment:Data Collection:Results:Conclusion:http://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/snpapp/iText/products/0-328-17697-4/xxvii.html