Practical 1: Basic needs of plants.

Objective: To determine the basic needs of plants: sunlight, air and water.

Problem: Do Plants need Sunshine

Materials:

Growing plant with large leaves

Vaseline
Black construction paper
Paper clips

Procedure A:

1. Place green plant in well-lighted place where it can be seen without being handled by
class members.
2. Carefully cover both sides of several leaves with vaseline
3. Observe these leaves each day and compare them with uncoated leaves. Notice the
colour and the freshness of the leaves.

Procedure B:

1. Cut out pattern on one side of a folded piece of black construction paper.
2. Clip the pattern on the leaf and leave it attached for several days.
3. After several days remove the construction paper and observe the results.

Results:

Observation Inferences
Procedure A
Procedure B

Questions:

1. What would happen if only the topside were coated? the bottom side?
2. Would leaf continue to die if the coating were removed after one day?
3. What would happen if only half the leaf were covered? (half of the topside and half of
the bottom side)
4. What happen to the plant leaf after the mask is removed? Observe for several days.

Problem: Can Plants Live Without Water?

Materials:

Bean seeds
Two small flowerpots
Water
Soil, humus

Procedure:
1. Plant some bean seeds in each of the flowerpots.
2. Place both plants in the sunshine.
3. Water plant “A” lightly each day.
4. Do not water plant “B”

1
Results:

Observation Inferences
Plant “A”
Plant “B”

Questions:

1. Would the same results be possible with different kind of seeds?

2. Is it possible to give a plant too much water?
3. How can farmer tell if a plant is receiving enough water? not enough water? too
much water?

Problem: Can Plant Live Without Air?

Materials:

Bean seeds
Two jars and two plastic cups
Soil , humus
Cotton
Water

Procedure A:

1. Plant bean seeds in jars.

2. Water both soils fairly well. When air bubbles cease to rise the air has been expelled
from the soil.
3. Cap the first jar. This cuts off the air supply to the plant.
4. Keep the second plant moist by watering as needed.

Procedure B:

1. Fill the two cups with water.

2. On one place a cotton pad on top and some beans on the cotton. This will keep the
the seeds moist.
3. Drop seeds into the water of the second cup thus eliminating the air.
4. Keep the temperature and light the same for both cups.

Results:

Observation Inferences
Procedure A
Procedure B

Questions:

1. What other ways might air be eliminated from the cup?

2. Is too much air ever a problem to the farmer?
3. Would the same results occur with different types of seeds?
4. Plants make their food but they do need a supply of minerals. Choose three minerals
and describe what happens to plant growing without them.
5. Animals and plants need food. Give two reasons why animals and plants need food.