Lab Report 12 PDF

Preview

Summary

LAB WORK PLANTS...

Description

Lab Activity 12: Plant Identification I.)

Introduction One of the many ways that plants can be identified is through the observation of distinct physical or morphological characteristics (ScienceLearn, 2018). Some plants can be closely related in different aspects, for example, some plants can be closely related based on how similar their flower structures are. These plants are then grouped into a specific plant family. Some examples of families are rose family, lily family and the mustard family (Nuamah, 2019). Within families and subfamilies, some plants are still grouped due to having even more closely related characteristics. The group that these plants are placed together is called a genus. Plants in the plant genus are once again grouped based on the fact these plant members all have very similar characteristics making them nearly indistinguishable from one another. This is the final level of grouping or division, this grouping is called a species (Sharp, 2019). The group genus and species compose the binomial plant classification system. This gives each plant a scientific name by using the genus and species. In this lab activity, we identified plants with the use of leaf characteristics.

Objectives: 1. To correctly identify the plant samples following the basics of plant nomenclature and classification. 2. To recognize the plant samples using basic plant morphology as a basis. 3. To classify plant samples at the genus level.

II.) Materials:

Materials and Procedures:

The materials used in this activity were five samples of herbaceous plants, five samples of woody plants and a handout as reference for plant characteristics. Procedures: Obtaining the plant samples: The plant samples were obtained at the residence of one of the members in this lab activity. The category for choosing plant samples was first identifying whether the plant was a woody plant or herbaceous plant. Five samples of both woody and herbaceous plants were taken to be identified. Identification of plant samples: The plant samples were separated into two groups by identifying whether they were woody or herbaceous plants and were grouped accordingly. The plant samples were then identified one by one with their different morphological characteristics specifically that of the leaves. We used the handout as reference for identification III.)

Results and Discussions:

Table 1: Herbaceous Plant Samples

Characteristic

Snake

Bangka -

Plant Samples Philippine Chinese

Plant

Bangkaa

Evergreen

n

s

Evergreen

Sombat Siam

lipstick

Plant type

Monocot

Monocot

Dicot

Dicot

Dicot

Leaf Arrangement

Rosette

Rosette

Spiral

Spiral

Alternate

Leaf Type

Simple

Simple

Simple

Simple

Simple

Leaf Margin

Entire

Entire

Undulate

Entire

Entire

Leaf Tip

Acute

Acute

Acuminate

Acute

Acute

Leaf Shape

Linear

Linear

Ovate

Ovate

Elliptical

Fruit Type

Simple

Simple

Simple

Simple

Simple

Scientific Name

Dracaena

Rhoeo

Aglaonema

Aglaonema

Aglaonema

trifasciat

discolor

commutatum

‘Lipstick’

‘Sombat

a

Siam’

Table 2: Woody Plant Samples

Manila

Characteristics

Palm

Plant Samples Tsupadera Kaffir Mango

Lime

Filipino

Weeping

Bird’s Eye

Fig

Dicot

Chili Monocot

Dicot

Subopposite Alternate

Alternate

Alternate

Alternate

Leaf Type

Pinnate

Simple

Simple

Simple

Simple

Leaf Margin

Entire

Undulate

Serrulate

Entire

Entire

Leaf Tip

Acute

Acute

Obtuse

Acuminate

Acuminate

Leaf Shape

Linear

Lanceolate Obovate

Ovate

Elliptical

Fruit Type

Simple

Simple

Simple

Simple

Multiple

Scientific Name

Adonidia

Mangifera

Citrus

Capsicum

Ficus

merrillii

indica

hystrix

frutescens

benjamina

Plant type

Monocot

Leaf Arrangement

Dicot

IV.)

Conclusions: Plant classification and plant naming are important as it allows us to have a better understanding of the different plant species through classifying them in different groups or categories. The importance of plant naming or plant taxonomy is especially significant in the fields of research especially for scientists as it gives the plants a name that is understood by everyone and prevents the confusion that arises from common names.

V.)

Questions for Research: 1.) What are the three identifying characteristics of a dicot? Give an example. The three main identifying characteristics of a dicot are its 2 cotyledons, its netlike leaf venation, and its taproot system. One example is the mango with its netlike venation on its leaves and the mango root system is characterized by a taproot that may extend well into the soil, which provides good support of the plant and its survival during times of drought (Santos et al., 2014). 2.) What are the three identifying characteristics of a monocot? Give an example.

The three main identifying characteristics of a monocot are its one cotyledon, parallel leaf venation, and its fibrous root system. One example is the palm tree. Although monocots don’t grow as trees, palms along with bamboo and yucca are some of the exceptions. They have a parallel venation pattern on their long slender leaf blades. In grasses and palm leaves, the small transverse veins reinforce against bending forces (Sack & Scoffoni, 2013).

3.) What are the differences between annuals and perennial plants? Give an example of each. Annual plants are plants with a life cycle that lasts only one year. They grow from seed, bloom, produce seeds, and die in one growing season. A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. Some sources cite perennial plants being plants that live more than three years. The term (per- + -ennial, "through the years") is often used to differentiate

a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also widely used to distinguish plants with little or no woody growth from trees and shrubs, which are also technically perennials. They then need to be replanted each spring. The term "perennial" refers to herbaceous (“green") plants since woody plants, such as trees, are perennial by definition ( Roumet et al., 2006). Examples of annual plants are peas, corn, maize, rice, and watermelons. For perennial plants, we have tomato, basil, strawberry, and potato.

4.) Why are scientific nomenclature and plant classification important?

Scientific names are informative. Every recognized species on earth (at least in theory) is given a two-part scientific name. This system is called "binomial nomenclature." These names are important because they allow people throughout the world to communicate unambiguously about animal species. Classifying living organisms is important because of the following reasons: It is used to describe different species. The description of each new species is preserved and used for comparison. It is used to name different living organisms (Thomson S.A. et al. 2018).

5.) Explain the differences between deciduous and evergreen trees.

There are several important differences between a deciduous and an evergreen tree. Deciduous and evergreen trees are opposite each other. Deciduous trees shed their leaves seasonally and evergreen trees keep their foliage throughout the year. Deciduous trees are adapted to tolerate cold and dry weather conditions by shedding their leaves while evergreens do not. Evergreens can survive with low soil nutrients. A huge portion of internal nutrients is removed during the defoliation of deciduous trees. Nutrient requirements of evergreens are somewhat higher than those of deciduous trees during bad weather because of the need for foliage maintenance. In deciduous trees, it is high after harsh weather when the foliage is renewed. Deciduous trees are more sensitive to temperature and rainfall than evergreen trees. Given the extent of seasonal environments across the globe selection for both resource capture and storage may explain a substantial amount of interspecific variation in biomass partitioning and allometry. Leaf habit, i.e. whether a species is evergreen or deciduous, has been

linked to divergent plant strategies in seasonal climates demonstrated that for juvenile trees growing under light-limited conditions (...