To compare and contrast different plant characteristics that are in your geographical location.
Assignment:
Have you ever wondered if there are certain anatomical or functional similarities or differences about the palnts that reside in your neighborhood? Well, if not, today is the day! Your task is to determine which characteristics are similar and which are different of 5 different plants that are around you outside (house plants do not count!). Plants are mostly multicellular, photosynthetic eukaryotes that traditionally have been grouped into two main groups, producing-seed plants (angiosperm) and non-producing seed plants (gymnosperm). Plant groups also have specific body plans that allow them have a determinant growth or an indeterminant growth.
For your Report:
You will go outside and find 5 different plants that live there. These plants can include those that produce seeds, those that do not produce seeds, or both. For each of these plants you must include:
Describe the overall texture, form, size and color of the plant.
What is its body size? Is it determinant or indeterminant? What is known about the regulation of its body size (for example, is it the leaf, the flower, stem that’s most important?)
How does the plant regulate its growth as determined by the sun? What change would prevent it to live in this environment?
What does the plant need to maintain in regard to homeostasis?
How does it protect/defend itself from attackers?
Is there any part of the plant that is edible for humans?
Describe the family of the plant and provide another plant in this family (for example, peppermint is in the Lamiacea family and spearmint is another example in this family).
Describe the plant body and structure. Include the differences in structure of the apical system and the root system of the plant, unique features/characteristics it has (for example, does it have tendrils, trichomes), when applicable, flower characteristics and leaf characteristics.
Provide at least one reason as to why this plant is useful to humans.
If any, what are the current threats to this species, either caused by diseases, climate or human-caused?
After you complete your analysis of the 5 plants, reflect on which features you consider to be adaptive advantages and disadvantages.