Are all leaves same? in Plants: Parts and functions – Class 6 Science Experiment
Chapter Name: Plants: Parts and functions
Activity Name: Are all leaves same? in Plants: Parts and functions
Activity Description:
The experiment aims to compare the leaves of different plants and observe their size, shape, and common parts. The goal is to determine whether all leaves are the same or if there are variations among different plant species.
Required Items:
- Plants collected in Activity 1
- Fig. showing a leaf and its parts (reference diagram)
- Table for recording observations
Step by Step Procedure:
- Gather the plants collected in Activity 1.
- Obtain the Fig. showing a leaf and its parts for reference.
- Set up a table with the following columns: S.No (serial number), Name of the plant, Leaf base (Yes/No), Petiole (Yes/No), Lamina (Yes/No), Shape of the leaf, Edges of the leaf.
- Examine each plant’s leaf and record your observations in the table.
- For each plant, determine whether it has a leaf base, petiole, and lamina, and mark the appropriate column as “Yes” or “No.”
- Observe the shape of each leaf and record it in the “Shape of the leaf” column.
- Examine the edges of each leaf and describe them in the “Edges of the leaf” column. If describing is difficult, you can draw what you see in the respective column.
- Repeat steps 4-7 for all plants.
Experiment Observations:
Record your observations in the table below. Fill in the information for each plant in the respective columns.
| S.No | Name of the plant | Leaf base | Petiole | Lamina | Shape of the leaf | Edges of the leaf |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose | Yes | Yes | Yes | Oval | Smooth |
| 2 | Maple | Yes | Yes | Yes | Palmate | Toothed |
| 3 | Fern | No | Yes | Yes | Pinnate | Fringed |
| 4 | Sunflower | No | Yes | Yes | Lanceolate | Wavy |
| … | … | … | … | … | … | … |
Precautions:
- Handle the plants and their leaves carefully to avoid damaging them.
- Observe the leaves under proper lighting conditions for accurate observations.
- Use the reference diagram as a guide to identify the different parts of the leaf.
- Take note of any variations or abnormalities in the leaves, such as damage or disease.
Lesson Learnt from Experiment:
- The experiment will help in understanding the diversity of leaf structures among different plant species.
- It will demonstrate that leaves can have variations in size, shape, and the presence of different parts such as leaf base, petiole, and lamina.
- This activity will enhance knowledge about the characteristics and functions of leaves, which play a vital role in photosynthesis and transpiration.
