Unit Summary 

Radiant energy from the Sun is transformed into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis. Internal and external structures in plants are essential adaptations for the plants functioning and survival. Plants respond to internal and external forces including wilting (internal), and tropisms (external).

Essential Questions

  • What forces can change the direction of motion of a plant?
  • How do plants respond to internal and external stimuli in the environment in order to maintain balance?
  • How do adaptations help a plant survive?
  • What happens to a plant if photosynthesis does not occur?
  • How do plants store energy from the sun?

Resources given in class

http://www.sophia.org
https://katyisd.instructure.com/login/ldap

Vocabulary

geotropism                                       bulb
turgor pressure                               leaf shape
phototropism                                   stem/thorns
gravitropism/geotropism                petals    
photosynthesis                                root system 
radiant energy                                 wilting
xylem                                                seedlings
phloem
chloroplast
vacuole
cell wall  

On-line Resources

Biology for Kids-
http://www.biology4kids.com/files/plants_structure.html
Ducksters-
http://www.ducksters.com/science/biology/plants.php
Biology for Kids-
http://www.biology4kids.com/files/plants_photosynthesis.html
Discovering Photosynthesis:
http://www.avasflowers.net/discovering-photosynthesis