The effect of gravity on the growth of seedlings: practical
I can measure, record and explain the growth response of seedlings placed in different orientations.
The effect of gravity on the growth of seedlings: practical
I can measure, record and explain the growth response of seedlings placed in different orientations.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Investigating the response of germinated seedlings to gravity (e.g. germinated beans placed vertically and horizontally)
- Producing accurate, labelled scientific drawings to depict the growth response
- Interpreting and describing the results
- Explaining the growth response of seedlings to gravity using ideas about auxins and gravitropism
Keywords
Auxin - plant hormones that affect the growth of plants
Gravitropism - a plant growth response towards or opposing the direction of gravity
Scientific line drawing - simple representation of a real object
Conclusion - summary of the results of an investigation with data and scientific explanations
Common misconception
Pupils may think that a drawing must be as realistic as possible hence sketching is encouraged. Pupils may also think that roots will continue to grow in the direction that they start.
Emphasise that a line diagram is a simple representation of an object so sketching is not best practise. This lesson explains how roots will grow in the direction of gravity even if their orientation is changed.
Equipment
Beans, cotton wool, petri dish, plastic zipped food bags, kitchen roll, stapler.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
Loading...
Starter quiz
6 Questions
auxin inhibits elongation of the cells
auxin promotes elongation of the cells
Exit quiz
6 Questions
