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Slice a stalk of asparagus and examine it under a microscope to discover tiny vascular bundles that often resemble smiling faces. Explore the structures plants use to transport water and nutrients throughout their tissues.
Materials
- Fresh asparagus stem
- Sharp blade or razor (adult supervision required)
- Microscope
- Glass slide
- Dropper or pipette
- Water
Instructions
- Cut a thin cross-section from the middle of the asparagus stem.The slice should be thin enough for light to pass through (adult supervision required).
- Put the thin slice on a glass slide.
- Place one drop of water on the sample to keep it hydrated.
- Start with low power to find the ring of vascular bundles around the stem.Switch to higher power to zoom in on individual bundles.You’ll see each vascular bundle looks like a smiley face! 🙂
- Draw or photograph your view.
What’s going on?
- Vascular bundles are the transport systems inside plants.
- The xylem carries water and minerals up from the roots, while the phloem moves sugars made during photosynthesis down through the plant.
- In asparagus and many monocot plants, these bundles are scattered in a ring and often look like tiny smiley faces when viewed in cross-section.
Level
- Intermediate
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