Science Helpdesk

Plant nutrition.To understand plant nutrition, with particular attention given to the role of photosynthesis. You can print the lesson text and read a glossary. Interactive lesson at Skoool.co.uk. (N.B.: In case your browser freezes, use Firefox and click on "Block Script" when asked).

Photosynthesis in green plants.Great presentation on plant cells, chloroplasts, the chemical process of photosynthesis, its limiting factors and more.

Starch in leaf test.Step by step test for starch produced by photosynthesis in a leave.

Transpiration.Very detailed interactive animation showing how transpiration takes place in plants and which are the factors that have an influence on it. You can also read the lesson text.

Wikipedia: potometer.Learn how to make a potometer and to use it to measure plant transpiration.

Plant transport.To understand how plants absorb water and minerals, and how they transport these substances. You can print the lesson text and read a glossary. Interactive lesson at Skoool.co.uk. (N.B.: In case your browser freezes, use Firefox and click on "Block Script" when asked).

Xylem transport (I).Very comprehensive animation showing how xylem sap is pumped from the roots to the leaves of a plant.

Xylem transport (II).Another great animation on the water movement up the xylem.

Plant biology: making eggs.The life cycle of flowering plants begins with the production of eggs; when fertilized, these eggs will develop into seeds that will eventually become a new plant.

Plant biology: making pollen.Anther cells produce four haploid microspores, which divide to eventually form the haploid pollen cells.

Plant biology: pollination and fertilization.Insects usually assist in the fertilization of flowering plants. Fertilization occurs when one sperm nucleus fuses with the egg nucleus. Other sperms form the endosperm by fusing with egg cells.

Seed dispersal.Flowering plants reproduce themselves by producing seeds, which provide the plants with a way to spread out and grow in new places, sometimes a long way from the parent. Learn how.

Plant biology: germination and growth.During germination, the embryo of the seed starts to grow. Roots form first, followed by the pushing up of leaves.

Flower structures, plant breeding, cross pollination, making crosses.This animations illustrates the structures of a flower, plant breeding, cross pollination and making crosses.

The new science of fall colors.The secrets of why leaves of trees change yellow or red in the autumn are slowly being revealed.