Lab Practical !!

Lab Session #1

Be able to identify the structures of a plant

Roots - Anchor the plant, absorb water and minerals from the soil

Stems - Support the plant, transport water, nutrients and sugars

Leaves - Photosynthesis, transpiration, gas exchange

Make sure you can identify the differences between monocots and dicots

Monocot - One cotyledon, parallel veins, scattered vascular bundles, fibrous root system 

Dicot - Two cotyledons, reticulate (branching veins), vascular bundles in a circle, taproot system

Be able to identify the parts of a root tip

Root Cap - Protects the growing tip

Zone of Cell Division - Rapid cell division

Zone of Elongation - Cells elongate, pushing the root tip downward

Zone of Maturation - Differentiation of cells into specialized tissues

Be able to identify the types of vascular tissues in the microscope slides. Based on the arrangement of vascular tissues in a root and a stem, be able to identify if it is a monocot or a dicot.

Xylem - Transports water and minerals from roots to the rest of the plant

Phloem - Transports sugars and nutrients produced during photosynthesis

Monocot Vascular Tissue - Scattered vascular bundles

Dicot Vascular Tissue - Vascular bundles in a ring

Make sure you know the structures of a woody stem and the difference between summer and springwood. Also make sure you can determine the age of a woody stem.

Woody Stem :

Summerwood - Lighter, formed in the growing season, smaller cells

Springwood - Darker, formed early in the growing season, larger cells

Determining Age - Count the rings; each pair (summer + spring) represents one year

Be able to identify the external structures of a winter twig.

Winter Twig

External Structure - Buds, leaf scars, terminal bud and lateral buds

Be able to identify the structure of a leaf and the different types of leaves. 

Leaf Structure

Parts - Blade, petiole, veins, stomata

Types - Simple (one leaf blade) vs. Compound (multiple leaflets)

Lab Session #2 

Know the composition of xylem and phloem and which direction materials are moved through each.

Xylem - Composed of tracheids and vessel elements, transports water upward

Phloem - Composed of sieve tube elements and companion cells, transports sugars downward

Know the difference between isotonic, hypertonic and hypotonic solutions and which direction water moves when a plant cell is placed into each.

Isotonic - No net movement of water

Hypertonic - Water moves out of the cell (shrinks)

Hypotonic - Water moves into the cell (swells)

Know the structures of the root responsible for absorbing water from the soil.

Root Hairs - Increase surface area for absorption

Epidermis - Outer layer of the root that allows water entry

Know the process of transportation and the role of environmental factors on the rate of transportation and the role of the stomata in the transport of water. 

Transportation - Evaporation of water from leaves, creating a pull that draws water up through the plant

Environmental Factors - Temperature, humidity and wind affect transpiration rates

Stomata - Open to allow gas exchange (CO2 in O2 out) and regulate water loss

Lab Session #3

Be able to identify the flower parts and know their function.

Male (Stamen) - anther (produces pollen) and filament

Female (Pistil) - Stigma (receives pollen), style (connects stigma and ovary), ovary (contains ovules)

Petals - Attract pollinators

Sepals - Protect the flower bud

Know the difference between a monocot and a dicot flower.

Monocot Flower - Typically has 3 petals or multiple of 3

Dicot Flower - Typically has 4 or 5 petals or multiples of 4 or 5

Knowing the flowering plant life cycle.

Pollination, Fertilization, Seed Development, Germination, Growth and Reproduction

Knowing the 3 layers of a fruit and being able to identify the different types of fruits by their technical names.

3 Layers of a Fruit

Exocarp (outer layer, skin)

Mesocarp (flesh)

Endocarp (inner layer, surrounding the seed)

Types of Fruits

Drupe - Single seed (ex. peach)

Berry - Multiple seeds (ex. tomato)

Pome - Seed inside a core (ex. apple)

Be able to identify the part of a monocot and dicot seed and know what is necessary for seed germination to occur. 

Monocot Seed - One cotyledon, parallel-veined leaves

Dicot Seed - Two cotyledons, reticulate-veined leaves

Germination Factors - Water, oxygen and temperature are essential for seed germination


Lab Session #4 

Be able to identify the 4 major types of tissues and give an example of a location and function of each.

Epithelial Tissue - Protects and covers surfaces

Connective Tissue - Supports and binds other tissues

Muscle Tissue - Contracts for movement

Nervous Tissues - Transmits electrical signals

Be able to identify the 4 layers of the intestine. 

Mucosa - Innermost layer, secretes enzymes and absorbs nutrients

Submucosa - Contains blood vessels and lymphatic tissue

Muscularis - Smooth muscle, responsible for peristalsis

Serosa - Outermost layer, protects the intestine

Be able to identify the structures found in the human skin. 

Epidermis - Outer layer, contains keratinocytes and melanocytes

Dermis - Contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles and sweat glands

Hypodermis - Subcutaneous layer, stores fat and insulates