The Plant Kingdom: The Study of The Leaf

Age
6-9.

Preparation
Observation of leaves Nomenclature of the leaf

Presentation
Experiment 10

DEMONSTRATION OF CHLOROPHYLL IN GREEN PLANTS

MATERIALS: A mortar and pestle, some green leaves (geranium is best), a glass, alcohol.


 * 1) Remove some green leaves from the plant and grind them with a mortar and pestle.
 * 2) Place the resulting pulp in glass containing alcohol.
 * 3) Observe what happens and write your observations.

Experiment 11

DEMONSTRATION THAT PLANTS NEED LIGHT

MATERIALS: 2 small clay flower pots, radish seeds, loose soil, water.


 * 1) Place the radish seeds in water for 24 hours.
 * 2) Fill the two flower pots with soil.
 * 3) Place the seeds on top of the soil, or better, push them into the soil.
 * 4) Water them.
 * 5) When the plants have germinated and have reached a certain height, leave one flower pot in the light and put the other in a dark closet.
 * 6) Keep the pots where they are and observe and record the behavior of each.
 * 7) Observe what happens and write your observations.

Chart 9

THE SUN WORSHIPPERS


 * 1) Plants are attracted to light because through this energy they are able to transform their substance into nourishment.
 * 2) Only with the light will chlorophyll work.

Experiment 15

ACTION OF LIGHT ON PLANTS

MATERIALS: A special box whose lid has a window that opens, radish or other seeds, or preferably, already sprouted shoots; potting soil, watering can and water.


 * 1) In the bottom part of the box, plant the seeds or shoots in the soil.
 * 2) Keep them well watered.
 * 3) When the plants are several inches high, put the special lid on top of the box with the window closed.
 * 4) Open the window and see what happens.
 * 5) Observe what happens and write your observations.

Chart 10

THE CHEMICAL LABORATORY


 * 1) Tubes called xylem carry the water to the leaves on the plant.
 * 2) There, the chlorophyll is activated by the sun to work on the water and the carbon dioxide.
 * 3) A chemical change takes place and a simple sugar is formed.
 * 4) Oxygen is also formed and released into the environment.
 * 5) This is called photosynthesis.

Experiment 12

FORMATION OF OXYGEN

MATERIALS: Some aquatic plants, a large cylindrical glass container, a large funnel, a test tube full of water, water, a long match.


 * 1) Fill the container almost full of water and immerse the plants in it.
 * 2) Then invert the funnel over the top of the plants and empty the test tube full of water over the inverted funnel.
 * 3) Expose the whole thing to strong sunlight.
 * 4) Then observe it after 2-3 hours and you will see that many tiny bubbles have developed.
 * 5) Now light a long match.
 * 6) When it is burning, blow it out.
 * 7) Take the test tube off quickly and put the glowing match in it.
 * 8) Observe what happens and write your observations.
 * 9) What are the tiny bubbles formed of?

Experiment 13

MAKING OF STARCH

MATERIALS: A geranium plant in full bloom, two pieces of aluminum foil smaller than the leaves, two pins, ethyl alcohol, warm water, three glasses.


 * 1) In the afternoon, cover both sides of a leaf with aluminum foil, holding it in place with a pin.
 * 2) The next day, expose the plant to strong sunlight, especially the covered leaf.
 * 3) That afternoon, after several hours of exposure, break off the foil covered leaf from the plant and then remove the foil. Immerse the leaf in alcohol and you will see that it becomes yellow.
 * 4) Now immerse in hot water and leave it there for a while.
 * 5) Observe what happens and write your observations.

Experiment 14

STARCH IS COLORED BLUE

MATERIALS: A potato, some iodine, a knife.


 * 1) Cut the potato and then drop a bit of iodine on the cut part.
 * 2) Observe what happens and write your observations.