Plant Structure and Physiology
Overall Expectations
By the end of this course, students will:
• demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of plants, and of their internal transport systems,reproduction,
and growth;
• analyse the factors influencing the growth and maintenance of plants, using appropriate laboratory equipment
and techniques;
• evaluate the roles of plants in the urban community, in various technologies and industries, and in
natural ecosystems.
Specific Expectations
Understanding Basic Concepts
By the end of this course, students will:– illustrate how plants are classified by identifying similar
and different characteristics of different types of plants (e.g., make a chart to demonstrate the unique structure and development
of plants; examine the life cycle of plants);
– describe the structure and physiology of plant tissues;
– describe in words and/or diagrams the life cycle of plants, and differentiate between such divisions
of plants as ferns and horsetails;
– describe the processes of growth and differentiation in plants (e.g., describe the differentiation of
germ cells in various tissues; compare meristem cells with elongated cells);
– explain the role of tropisms in plants (e.g., describe the reaction of a plant to light, to gravity,
or to humidity).
Developing Skills of Inquiry and Communication
By the end of this course, students will:
– apply appropriate sampling procedures when collecting specimens of plants(e.g., collect specimens to
illustrate the diversity of fallen cones in a selected coniferous stand);
– identify new questions or problems arising from the study of the growth and maintenance of plants (e.g.,What
organic growing methods are both reliable and cost efficient? How can biotechnology be used in the cultivation of plants?);
– on the basis of information gathered from print and electronic sources, develop, present, and defend
a position or course of action related to the maintenance of plants (e.g., justify or argue against the use of pesticides
to control insect infestation);
– analyse the chemical and physical elements that contribute to plant production in the agriculture and
forestry industries;
– investigate tropisms by growing plants from seeds;
– analyse plant metabolic processes, in a laboratory environment, by measuring the volume of gases produced
and absorbed;
– distinguish between monocot and dicot plants, using appropriate instruments and sources.
Relating Science to Technology, Society,and
the Environment
By the end of this course, students will:
– identify personal activities that may be influenced by their scientific study of plants (e.g., investigate
the many issues involved in choosing to use chemical fertilizers and pesticides on the lawn; describe the scientific, psychological,
andaesthetic benefits and/or drawbacks of maintaining plants in living spaces and classrooms);
– outline the use of plants in the food, textile, pharmaceutical, and fresh produce industries;
– explain the vital role of aquatic and marsh plants in the purification of urban, industrial, and agricultural
waste or run-off water;
– evaluate the importance of plant diversity both in maintaining natural ecosystems and in providing sources
of medicines;
– analyse the risks and benefits to society of using various agricultural technologies (e.g., genetically
altered plants or growth hormones), and propose actions that can be taken to minimize risks.
Throughout this course, students will:
• demonstrate an understanding of safety practices consistent with Workplace Hazardous
Materials Information System (WHMIS) legislation by selecting and applying appropriate
techniques for handling, storing, and disposing of laboratory materials (e.g., follow safety
procedures in handling, storing, and disposing of acids, bases, bacterial cultures, and
bio-hazardous waste);
• select appropriate instruments and use them effectively and accurately in collecting observations
and data (e.g., microscope, laboratory glassware, stethoscope, dissection instruments);
• demonstrate the skills required to plan and carry out investigations, using laboratory equipment
safely, effectively, and accurately (e.g., conduct an experiment to investigate gas production in
the metabolic processes of plants);
• select and use appropriate numeric, symbolic, graphical, and linguistic modes of representation
to communicate scientific ideas, plans, and experimental results (e.g., identify chemical
formulae for some important biochemical compounds; use correct terminology to describe
the internal systems of organisms);
• locate, select, analyse, and integrate information on topics under study,working independently
and as part of a team, and using appropriate library and electronic research tools,
including Internet sites;
• compile, organize, and interpret data, using appropriate formats and treatments, including
tables, flow charts, graphs, and diagrams (e.g., construct a flow chart to describe representative
mechanisms in living organisms, or a chart on the uses of microbes in biotechnological
applications);
• communicate the procedures and results of investigations and research for specific purposes
using data tables and laboratory reports (e.g., describe appropriate sampling techniques for
classification of specimens in a local environment);
• express the result of any calculation involving experimental data to the appropriate number
of decimal places or significant figures;
• select and use appropriate SI units;
• identify and describe science- and technology-based careers related to the subject area under
study (e.g., cell technologist, chef, nutritionist, medical laboratory technician).
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