Plants and Water

Safety Issues

Young children should not use a knife.

Material Availability

Readily available or easily purchased at the grocery store

Approximate Time Required to Complete the Project

Overnight to collect the data; one day to prepare the science fair display

To learn how plants transport water from their roots to their leaves

• Tall clear glass
• Red food coloring
• Spoon
• Celery stalk
• Knife

Plants need water to grow. Plants transport water from their roots to their leaves through tubes called xylem.

Terms

Xylem: tubes that transport water inside plants

Concepts

Plants need water. Water is transported through the plant through xylem tubes.

Research Questions

How does water get from the roots of a plant to its leaves?

1. Gather the necessary materials.
2. Fill the glass about halfway with water.
3. Add a few drops of food coloring to the water and stir.
4. Have an adult cut the bottom of the celery stalk straight across leaving the leaves attached to the stalk.
5. Place the celery stalk in the glass, cut end first. Set the glass somewhere where it will not be disturbed overnight.
6. The next day, record any changes.

Articles

“Plants Vascular Systems” at Www.biology4kids.com/files/plants_xylemphloem.html

“Plants: Essential Processes” at Www.sparknotes.com/biology/plant/essentialprocesses/section1.html

“How Plants Grow” at Science Kids at Www.sciencekids.co.nz

Websites

Biology 4 Kids at Www.biology4kids.com