User:Corey Bear/Notebook/(10 July 2014) Plantae and Fungi

Intent: The intent of this experiment was to understand the characteristics and diversity of plants, as well as the functionality and importance of fungi.

Overview: During this lab, five species were collected from the garden site where the original transect took place, specifically from the tomato plot (see pictures). Upon collection of five, the content was brought back to the lab and further examined for vascularization, specialized structures, and reproduction capabilities. Additionally, a leaf sample from the compost pile in the transect was also obtain to collect invertebrates through a berlese funnel.

Observations: This experiment began by collecting five plants within the transect. Five plants samples were collected, which were all living within two feet from the original transect site (see Five Plant Photo). All five of the plants were green and living during collection, once was observed as grass, one as a tomato plant, and the other three are unknown. Plant two was classified as a tracheophytes upon observation, and confirmed under a 10x compound microscope. Tracheophytes can reproduce either by seed or spores, and “Unlike bryophytes, tracheophytes have tissues called xylem that transport water and food to tissues called phloem. Together the xylem and the phloem are called vascular tissue. Vascular plants have roots, stems and leaves.” (Transport). The four remaining plants were all classified as angiosperms, two of which were dicots—one & three—and two were monocots—four & five. Monocots have only “…one seed leaf inside the seed coat. It is often only a thin leaf, because the endosperm to feed the new plant is not inside the seed leaf;” where as, “Dicots have two seed leaves inside the seed coat. They are usually rounded and fat, because they contain the endosperm to feed the embryo plant.” (The Seed Site) Additionally, all five plants had a cuticle appearance and texture. The Dicot plants under 10x observation had a vascular structures visible but in the shape of a ring, whereas the monocots and plant two had shots through out the stock of the plant. The dicots plants had thick leaves bunch close together and the monocots and plant two had thin grass like dimensions.

‘’’Additional Observations:’’’ Fungi was observed near the transect, which is important as it acts as “decomposers that fill a niche necessary for the survival of the biosphere. Their metabolism releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and nitrogenous materials into the soil and surface waters.” (Bentley, et al, 2014) Fungi sporangia are important because they release spores, which allow for reproduction. None of the plants brought back resemble an appearance observed to be fungi.

Compost: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_IEyKChqDxdVZSNXA3NXFxU0k/edit?usp=sharing

Five Plants Photo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_IEyKChqDxYnpMSERWYjFBZEE/edit?usp=sharing

Table I-Plant Transect: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_IEyKChqDxQTFQeW91a2lKYWs/edit?usp=sharing

Tomato Plot: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_IEyKChqDxa3ZSUHg2RkRUY2s/edit?usp=sharing

Reference

Bentley., Walters-Conte., & Zeller. (2014). Biology 210 Lab Manual. Washington: American University.

Nature Works. (2013-2014). Tracheophytes: Vascular Transport. Retrieved from http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep14d.htm

The Seed Site. (2014) Monocots and Dicots: Chart showing Differences. Retrieved from http://theseedsite.co.uk/monocots2.html

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