Scientific Inquiry "The Sensitive Plant"

Scientific Inquiry "The Sensitive Plant"

Be sure to take notes in your science notebook about this plant.

The Sensitive Plant Video

Known as Mimosa Piduca or the "Tickle-Me" plant. Watch the video and take notes on your observations.

Multiple Choice

The "Sensitive Plant" is also known as the

• Tickle-Me Plant

• Tickle-Me Elmo

• The Pickle Plant

Take notes on the next slide.

Scientists must be objective and always rely on the facts.

CHARACTERISTICS AND ADAPTATIONS:

"The rapid leaf-folding movement occurs due to a loss of turgor pressure (the force water applies to a cell wall to hold a plant upright). When touched, a chemical is released that triggers water to leave the cells.

• The stems have prickly thorns for protection.

• It is thought that the leaf-folding reaction may deter grazing animals or insects, allow rain to run-off quickly, and make the thorns on the plant more visible to potential predators.

• The leaves also fold closed at night and re-open at sunrise.

• It can fix nitrogen from the air, which enables it to grow in poor soils."

Multiple Choice

Did you take notes from the previous slides?

When do the leaves curl up?

• when they are moved or touched

• when they are eaten

• when the sun is out

Poll

What is your prediction? -What would cause the plant leaves to curl up faster - a feather or your fingers? (Make sure you check your observation and research notes to back up your prediction.)

• feather

• fingers

Watch the experiment.

1. Please make a 2 column chart before watching the video.

2. Title one column "Feather Leaf Closing Time"

3. Title the other column "Fingers Leaf Closing Time."

4. Record the times as you watch the experiment.

1. Google Search PBS, You at the Zoo, Plant Adaptations.

2. Watch the video experiment. 3. Use the information from the video to fill in your chart.

Multiple Choice

How long did it take for the leaves to curl up after the feather touched them?

• 10.61 seconds

• 10.26 seconds

• 12.60 seconds

Multiple Choice

How long did it take for the leaves to curl up after the fingers touched them?

• 5.24 seconds

• 4.52 seconds

• 4.24 seconds

Poll

Was your prediction correct? Write down in your notebook why or why not your prediction was correct. What empirical evidence (observations, data) do you have?

• Yes

• No

Poll

Why do you think this plant might need this adaptation? Pick as many as you think might be the reason. (Write down in your notebook why you chose these reasons. What information do you have to support your thoughts?)

• to protect itself from the weather or too much water

• to protect itself from being eaten by animals

• to protect itself from damage by animals or people walking on them

• to survive in places with poor soil quality

Multiple Choice

What item caused the leaves to close the fastest? (Double check your notes before answering this question.)

• fingers

• feather

• rock

• rain

Poll

What traits of a scientist did you use during this video experiment? (Be sure to write in your notes the ones you chose and why.)

• curious

• observant

• objective

• skeptical

• logical