Plant Roots and Their Jobs

What You'll Learn

All living things share basic characteristics: they grow, reproduce, respond to their environment, and need energy to survive. Plants make their own food through photosynthesis, while animals must eat other organisms.

Key Words

predator
prey
organism

Materials Needed

cotton balls
zip-lock bags
labels
seeds

Safety First

Use materials only as directed in the experiment.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Review the background information on Ecosystems before starting.

Step 2 — Do

Collect and classify 10 organisms from your yard into kingdoms, phyla, or groups. Use a dichotomous key if available.

Step 3 — Observe

Look for patterns in your observations.

Step 4 — Record

Make a graph or chart showing your results.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What is germination?