Lesson 1-2 Why Study Plants

Elysia chlorotica

Solar-powered sea slug that steals chloroplasts from algae and performs photosynthesis.

Phasmotodea

An insect order where species mimic plants such as sticks and leaves for camouflage.

Euphorbia tirucalli

Also known as the Pencil Plant a succulent used ornamentally and medicinally.

Joseph Priestley

Scientist who discovered that plants restore air by producing oxygen

Priestley’s Experiment

An experiment showing that animals in sealed containers use up oxygen and faint

Plants

are multicellular, made up of many cells organized into tissues and organs.

Oxygen production

The process by which plants release oxygen during photosynthesis

Carbon fixation

The process in photosynthesis where CO₂ is converted into energy-rich molecules such as glucose.

Sugars

Energy-rich molecules produced by plants during photosynthesis that animals use as food.

Multi-cellular

Have a cell wall

Have chlorophyll

They photosynthesize (autotrophs)

Produce oxygen

Mostly Sessile or non-motile

Criteria for Plants,

Autotroph

an organism that is able to form nutritional organic substances from simple inorganic substances such as carbon dioxide.

Sessile

Permanently attached or fixed and not free-moving

Observing

Process of gathering information about an object or phenomenon using senses may be qualitative or quantitative.

Qualitative observation

Observation using descriptive qualities such as color or texture.

Quantitative observation

Observation using numbers or measurements such as length

Classifying

Grouping objects or phenomena based on similarities or differences.

Measuring and using numbers

Using instruments and standardized units to quantify objects or phenomena.

Inferring

Explaining an observation based on past experience or data can be correct or incorrect.

Predicting

Conjecturing a future event based on observation and prior knowledge.

Interpolation

Prediction within the range of collected data.

Extrapolation

Prediction beyond the range of collected data.

Model breakdown

Point at which a model or prediction no longer applies.

Communicating

Presenting information in oral includes listening and responding to ideas.

Using space-time relations

Describing changes in parameters such as location

Interpreting data

Explaining patterns or meaning from gathered information in graphs

Defining operationally

Defining a term in measurable or mathematical terms

Controlling variables

Keeping factors constant so only the independent variable affects the outcome.

Independent variable

The factor intentionally changed in an experiment (“I change”).

Dependent variable

The factor measured or observed as a response (“It changes”).

Controlled variable

Factors kept constant in both control and treatment groups.

Control group

Group without treatment used as a baseline for comparison.

Hypothesis

A testable explanation or prediction stated as an “If…

Null hypothesis

States there is no difference or relationship

If-then hypothesis

Prediction in the form “If [independent variable] then Dependent variable”

Experimenting

Designing and conducting tests to solve a problem using the scientific method.

Scientific method

Process of experimentation: ask a question

Iterative process

Repeating or revisiting steps of the scientific method when new data requires it.

Variables

Factors that can change in an experiment, includes independent and dependent ____

Replicates

Number of samples or repetitions in an experiment to ensure reliability.

Data

Information collected during an investigation.

Quantitative data

Data expressed in numbers (e.g.

Qualitative data

Descriptive data without numbers (e.g.

Communicating results

Sharing findings through journals

Validity of experiment

An experiment is valid if it can be repeated and achieve the same result.