Leaf of Mexican hat plant

Leaf of Mexican hat plant

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
This task is about reproduction.
Mexican-hat-leaf.png
The Mexican hat plant has buds on the leaf edge that break off and fall to the ground (two from this leaf have already fallen). These fallen buds are capable of growing into new plants.
 
Sexual reproduction in plants involves combining the genetic material of two individual plants (by the pollination of flowers). In sexual reproduction, 50% of the genetic material of the offspring is from each parent plant.
 
Asexual reproduction in plants is a method of producing new individuals (by budding off, spores or a part of the parent breaking off and developing roots and shoots). In asexual reproduction, 100% of the genetic material of the offspring is the same as the single parent.

Question 2Change answer

a)  What type of reproduction is this?

Question 2Change answer

b)  The new plants formed by this method all look very similar. Explain why this is so.

Question 2Change answer

c)  What is an advantage of this type of reproduction to the species?
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pen and paper or online (with NO auto marking).
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
Science, Knowledge, Living World
Keywords: 
Life processes, asexual reproduction
Description of task: 
Students read about sexual and asexual reproduction in plants, identify an asexual plant by budding characteristics and answer two questions on the advantages of asexual reproduction.
Curriculum Links: 

Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.

Capability: Use evidence
This resource provides opportunities to discuss using logical reasoning and emerging science understandings to make inferences.
Science capability: Use evidence (TKI)
 

Science capabilities: 
Use evidence
Answers/responses: 
 

Y10 
a) Asexual/vegetative. easy
b) Because they have the same genetic make-up. moderate
c) More individuals produced (quicker)/don't need flowers/don't need another plant/stable environment doesn't need to adapt. difficult