Sample Activity of Integration – Nutrition in Green Plants

 Context

Helmont, a Belgian scientist, long ago keenly observed the behavior of plants. One day, using clay pots filled with 10kg of dried soil, Helmont was able to grow things. The pot was moistened with rainwater before some tomato seeds were planted. Tomatoes love heat. The tomatoes did not really start to grow until both the soil and air temperatures were consistently warm. The plants received rain until harvest. The mass of the seeds was 800 gm. Four months after planting, the plants fruited. When dried, the harvested material had a mass of 12kg; while the dust in the clay pot, which had remained closed, was found to weigh 9kg. Therefore, the tomato stem, leaves, fruits and flowers had come from water only. The scientist found this very wonderful.

Support Material

Task

As a biologist who is interacting with learners, you must understand what was wonderful. Write a speech on how plants increase in size to produce leaves, stems and fruits.