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Adaptations of Living Things - Part 2 - Page 2

© Angela Plumb

If there isn't a zoo nearby, visit a forest, or a pond, or a local park. There is still a wide variety of plants and animals around. If that isn't possible, a wildlife video, such as one by National Geographic, would be good for making observations.

EXPERIMENT WITH WATER LILIES

Purpose: To observe how the structural adaptations of a water lily enable it to survive in an aquatic environment.

You will need:
two water lilies from a pond
an aquarium or bucket filled with pond water
ruler
magnifying glass
Vaseline
pencil and paper
masking tape

1.Using a very small piece of masking tape, label ONE of the water lilies with an "A" and the other water lily with a "B".

2.Carefully observe the structural adaptations of the water lilies. Examine the leaves, the flower, the roots and stem. Use the magnifying glass to look up close. Create an observation chart with one column for the lily "A" and one for lily "B". Record your observations for each lily - for example, the shape and size of the leaves and stem, the color, the flexibility of the stem...

3.Cover the top surface of water lily A with Vaseline and place it in the aquarium.

4.Cover the bottom surface of water lily B with Vaseline and place it in the aquarium.

5.Observe and record any changes in the lilies over a seven day period.
e.g. Day 1 - Lily A: Lily B:

Questions:
What conclusions can you make about the adaptations that suit the water lily to its particular environment?
What do the roots and stem of the water lily do?
Based on your observations, what can you say about the location and function of a water lily's breathing pores?

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