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An Investigation into Leaf Surface Temperature
This practical is designed to be used as the opening lesson of the transport in plants section of the A level specification. It aims to engage the students in an investigation-based introduction to this topic rather than one based on content. The simple investigation will ask, “What happens to the surface temperature of leaves if petroleum jelly is applied to their lower surfaces?”
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Questions about Quadrats
Interdependence is one of the five key science ideas at KS3. Whilst this can be taught theoretically, some practical fieldwork greatly enhances pupils' understanding. Almost certainly the fieldwork would entail looking at plant abundance and distribution and, of course, some work with quadrats!
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Ecology Practical 1 - Measuring abundance and random sampling
A simple onine ecology practical exercise, giving students an opportunity to practice random sampling to measure the abundance of various different species on an area of grassland, before they carry out practical fieldwork. Students will look at images of quadrats, identify the plants and measure the abundance.
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Student Sheet 2 - Growing and caring for rapid-cycling brassicas
'Fast plants', or rapid-cycling brassicas, are a fascinating way to look at all sorts of biology topics, including plant growth, tropisms, floral reproduction, pollination, embryonic development, and genetics. This student worksheet introduces how to care for the rapid-cycling brassicas.
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Student Sheet 1 - Planting instructions for rapid-cycling brassicas
'Fast plants', or rapid-cycling brassicas, are a fascinating way to look at all sorts of biology topics, including plant growth, tropisms, floral reproduction, pollination, embryonic development, and genetics. This student worksheet introduces how to plant the rapid-cycling brassicas.
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Student Sheet 4 - Pollen Tube Growth
The growth of pollen tubes makes a fascinating practical in the lab, and is easily observed under medium power of a microscope over the course of a double lesson. This resource includes full teaching and technical notes, together with guidance on which pollen grains to use at what time of year, a zip file of sample images and a student's worksheet.
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Student Sheet 5 - Investigating Seed Germination
A simple experiment to investigate the germination of seed under different conditions, by growing seeds upright in Petri dishes. It allows students to make quantitative measurements of root / shoot growth, length of root hairs, etc, as well as % germination. This technique can also be used for investigations into the effect of acid rain.
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Student Sheet 9 - Growing Radishes in Film Cans
Radishes provide a cheap and reliable way to carry out a number of investigations into plants, including nutrient requirements, effects of growing conditions, etc. This protocol outlines a simple method of growing radishes that can be used in the school lab.
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Student Sheet 10 - Thin Layer Chromatography for Photosynthetic Pigments
Several different pigments are involved in the absorption of light. This reliable and enjoyable practical shows how these plant pigments can be extracted and then separated using thin layer chromatography (TLC). A low-cost method to get the most out of TLC sheets, including the opportunity to identify the pigments involved using Rf values.
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