Plant tissues Meristematic tissue activity1

Activity No # 1 - Observation of growth of root tips in onion

Estimated Time

5 days

Materials/ Resources needed

2 glass jars, water, 2 onion bulbs, pair of scissors, note book, pencil etc.

Prerequisites/Instructions, if any

Observe the growth of roots every morning for 5 days.

Process (How to do the activity)

• Take two glass jars and fill them with water.
• Take two onion bulbs and place them one on each jar so that the roots of the bulbs dip in water.
• Observe the root tips every morning and record their growth till the second day.
• On the third day cut the root tips of the onion bulb in the second jar.
• Record the growth of root tips in both the jars till the fifth day.

Developmental Questions (What discussion questions)

1. Which of the two onions have longer roots?
2. Do the roots grow even after the root tips were cut in jar two?

Evaluation (Questions for assessment of the child)

• Why would the root tips stop growing in the jar two after cutting them?
• Which tissue is necessary for the growth of the root tips?

Question Corner

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