Plant Science is one of my favourite topics for HL students as it is a real opportunity to link many of the core ideas of Biology together. Think of not just as a series of assessment statements to check off, but as a chance to revise everything you have learned so far.

Consider this diagram of germination. How many links across the syllabus can you make?

Germination – how many links can you make across the curriculum?

This image is adapted from a diagram at Click4Biology. For some of my suggestions of how this diagram alone represents over 20 links across the curriculum, click here: Bean there, done that…

Here is the Essential Biology document for the whole topic. Presentations are below.

9.1: Plant Structure and Growth

Key terms: monocotyledon, dicotyledon, xylem, phloem, meristem, cambium, leaf, vein vascular bundles, adventitious, tap roots, waxy cuticle, palisade layer, spongy mesophyll, guard cells, stomata, chloroplasts, photosynthesis, stems, leaves, tubers, tuberous roots, tendrils, apical, lateral, mitosis, growth, wood, auxin, hormone, tropism, phototropism, geotropism.

9.2: Transport in Angiospermophytes

Key terms: xylem, phloem, evaporation, cohesion, adhesion, transpiration, mass flow, diffusion, active transport, translocation, ion exchange, symport, cation, anion, mycelium, boundary layer, sink, source, root, leaves, abscisic acid, stomata, xerophyte, CAM.

9.3: Reproduction in Angiospermophytes

Key terms: photoperiodism, flowering, Pfr, Pr, hormone, germination, sepal, petal, anther, filament, stigma style, ovary, pollination, fertilisation, seed dispersal, testa, micropyle, embryo root, shoot, cityledon, gibberelin, amylase, starch, maltose, glucose,

Top links:

Click4Biology plant science page

North Harris College animations links

Readers:

Life without bees? from David Suzuki’s blog.

And who can leave out this hillbilly-tastic video: