Adaptations can be behaviors or structures (parts) of the organism.
Plant examples: shape of leaves, thorns, spines, thickness of stems/leaves
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| PLANT ADAPTATIONS |
Procedure
- Introduce/review the definition of adaptations with the students.
- Discuss the desert climate.
- Ask students the following question. "What behaviors or structures of desert plants help them survive in their environment?" (structures: stems, leaves, spines, roots)
- What types of stems and leaves help desert plants survive? (Thick stems/leaves and waxy-coated stems/leaves help keep in water.) (Sharp spines keep animals away.)
Try the following experiments.
Experiment 1 (Thick stems/leaves vs. thin stems/leaves)
- Give each student/group 1 thin and 1 thick sponge.
- Put each on a dish.
- Pour equal amounts of water on each sponge.
- Squeeze each sponge into a cup.
- Compare.
- Which sponge held more water?
Experiment 2 (Waxy coating vs. non-waxy coating)
- Give each student/group 2 sponges (the same size).
- Place each on a dish.
- Pour the same amount of water over each sponge.
- Place 1 of the sponges in a zip-lock bag.
- Squeeze each sponge into a cup.
- Compare.
- Which sponge held more water? (The plastic bag represents the waxy outer covering.)
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| PLANTS WORD SEARCH 1 |
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| PLANTS WORD SEARCH 2 |
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