{"id":119,"date":"2016-07-22T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-07-22T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/2016\/07\/22\/plant-tubes-cut\/"},"modified":"2024-04-18T15:14:02","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T07:14:02","slug":"plant-tubes-cut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/plant-tubes-cut\/","title":{"rendered":"Discover What Happens When Plant Tubes Are Cut"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”off|phone” module_class=”single-post-body et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”89%” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”89%” max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”|0px||0px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Main Blog Text” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ text_font_size=”16″ text_line_height=”28px” header_font=”geomanist-bold||||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-55px|-45px||” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” z_index_tablet=”500″ border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

In the primary school Science syllabus, your child is expected to learn & understand the different plant parts, such as the roots, stem and leaves.<\/p>\n

It is very common to see questions testing students on their knowledge of the roots & leaves. The good news is that most\u00a0students typically prepare very well for questions on these two plant parts.<\/p>\n

\n

Read Also<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Discover How The Size of A Seed Affects Plant Processes<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. Guide To Asking The Right Questions: Plants That Do Not Bear Flowers<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. Ultimate Science Practice Series: Plant Cycle (Practice Questions & Explainer Videos)<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    However, they\u00a0tend to struggle when they encounter questions involving the stem.<\/p>\n

    In most cases, examiners like to present a case where the plant’s stem is cut at a few sections. Students are expected to observe what happens after the stem is cut.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    In this article, I\u00a0will provide a brief summary of the important parts within the plant\u2019s stem. Following which, I’ll be showing you\u00a0the thought processes behind tackling such questions, with the aid of a frequently tested example.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    What Your Child Should Know<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Primary school students are required to know that the stem contains food-carrying tubes (phloem tubes)<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>and\u00a0water-carrying tubes (xylem tubes)<\/span>.<\/p>\n

    Aside from that, they’re expected to know their respective functions for the plant.<\/p>\n

    Phloem Tubes<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

    Food-carrying tubes carry\u00a0the food made by the leaves to the other parts of the plant.<\/p>\n

    The food is then used by the plant cells, in the process of respiration, to release energy for the plant.<\/p>\n

    Xylem Tubes<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

    Water-carrying tubes carry water and mineral salts absorbed by the roots to the other\u00a0parts of the plant<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Water is needed\u00a0for the leaves of the plant for photosynthesis\u00a0to make food, while mineral salts\u00a0are used to ensure that the plants remains healthy.<\/p>\n

    Other than the functions of the phloem and xylem tubes, it is important for students to know the positions of the tubes in the stem<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    An acronym that we use to help our students remember the position of the tubes is:<\/p>\n

    \n

    WIFO<\/span>:<\/span> Water Inside, Food Outside (think: WiFi)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Cross Section of Plant Stem<\/em><\/p>\n

    This means that the water-carrying tubes<\/span> are on the inner side of the stem<\/span>. Conversely, the food-carrying tubes<\/span> are on the outer side of the stem<\/span>.<\/p>\n

    Another method of remembering this concept is to note that\u00a0fo<\/span>od-carrying tubes<\/strong><\/span> are also known as phlo<\/span><\/span>em tubes<\/span>.<\/p>\n

    Both “Fo<\/span>od”<\/span> and “Phlo<\/span>em”<\/span> has the alphabet “o<\/strong><\/span>” in it & they can be associated together. Using the same line of thought, food-carrying tubes (or phloem tubes) can be associated as tubes that are located on the outside<\/span>.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    What Happens When The Tubes Are Cut?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Phloem \/ Food-carrying Tubes<\/span><\/p>\n

    Food that is made by the leaves will not be able\u00a0to move down the stem to be transported to the other parts of the plant.<\/p>\n

    As a result, this causes the food\/starch to accumulate and swell at the opening\/end of the cut.<\/p>\n

    Xylem \/ Water-carrying Tubes<\/span><\/p>\n

    Water that is absorbed by the roots of the plant will not be able\u00a0to move up the stem to be transported to other parts of the plant, such as the leaves.<\/p>\n

    As a result, the leaves will not\u00a0have sufficient\u00a0water; a factor that\u00a0is needed for photosynthesis to make food for the plant.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Here’s A Frequently Tested Question<\/span><\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Thought Process<\/span><\/h2>\n

    With the above information, let\u2019s take a look at the question now.<\/p>\n

    Leaf A<\/span>: Both the food-carrying tubes and the water-carrying tubes are still intact.<\/p>\n

    Leaf B<\/span>: Both the food-carrying tubes and the water-carrying tubes are removed<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Leaf C<\/span>: Both the food-carrying tubes and the water-carrying tubes are removed.<\/p>\n

    Leaf D<\/span>: The food-carrying tubes are removed but the water-carrying tubes are still intact.<\/p>\n

    To present these information in\u00a0a clearer manner,<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    *Note: Iodine is initially brown in colour and will turn dark blue when starch is present.\u00a0Starch is present when EXCESS food made by the leaves is stored (as starch).<\/p>\n

    The focus of this question should be the water-carrying tubes<\/span>.<\/p>\n

    Plants require carbon dioxide and water, in the presence of sunlight, to make food during\u00a0photosynthesis. This means that the leaves above the cut would not be able to receive water once the water-carrying tubes are removed.<\/p>\n

    As a result, the plant will not be able to carry out photosynthesis to make food.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Let’s Look At The Above Table<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Only Leaf A and D will receive water because\u00a0their water-carrying tubes are still intact.<\/p>\n

    As such, Leaf A and Leaf D will be able to conduct photosynthesis\u00a0to make food. This is because they are capable of receiving\u00a0water and taking\u00a0in carbon dioxide in the presence of sunlight.<\/p>\n

    The excess food made by Leaves A and D will then be stored as starch.\u00a0When iodine comes into contact with starch,\u00a0it will turn from brown to dark blue.<\/p>\n

    On the other hand, Leaf B and Leaf C have their water-carrying tubes removed.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The water that is\u00a0absorbed by the\u00a0roots and\u00a0transported up the stem\u00a0cannot reach the leaves. Thus, the leaves cannot receive the water needed for photosynthesis to make food for the plant.<\/p>\n

    As Leaf B and Leaf C are unable to make food, there will be no excess food stored as starch. Therefore, iodine will remain brown.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Final Answer<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Therefore, the answer to this question would be Option (4)<\/span>.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Last Note:<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Before the respective tubes were removed, all the leaves would have received water and carbon dioxide in the presence of sunlight to make food in the process of photosynthesis.<\/p>\n

    Thus, students may think that the excess food made before the tubes were removed would be stored as starch and may turn iodine dark blue.<\/p>\n

    However, if you take a closer look at the information provided in the question, it is mentioned<\/p>\n

    \n

    The plant was left under the sun for a week<\/span>\u2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    This suggests\u00a0that the excess food initially stored as starch in Leaf B and Leaf C (before both tubes were removed)<\/em> would have been used up by the plant cells during that week, in the process of respiration to release energy.<\/p>\n

    As a result,\u00a0Leaf B and Leaf C will not have any\u00a0EXCESS food stored as starch. As a result,\u00a0iodine will not change from brown to dark blue.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”CCI” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||” custom_padding=”0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider color=”#898989″ _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/The-Pique-Lab-CCI-Science-Course-CTA.png” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”CCI” _builder_version=”4.16″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#333333″ text_font_size=”18px” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    If you like our methodology, we’ve some upcoming workshops:<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”geomanist-medium||||||||” text_text_color=”#f44a4a” text_font_size=”18px” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    P4 Complete Concept Integration\u2122 Science Course<\/strong><\/a>
     P5 Complete Concept Integration\u2122 Science Course<\/strong><\/a>
     P6 Complete Concept Integration\u2122 Science Course<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":241543,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"Students learn<\/span> the topic of Electricity<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0at Primary 5 and many of them find the concepts to be confusing, especially when they are first exposed to this topic.\r\n\r\nAs such, over the next few blog posts, I will be sharing more about the concepts of Electricity<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0that are commonly tested during examinations.\r\n\r\nIn today\u2019s blog post, I will be focusing on the arrangement of the wires in a bulb and relate it to how a bulb should be connected in a circuit.\r\n

    Today\u2019s Question:<\/span><\/h2>\r\n
    How Should The Bulb Be Connected To The Circuit For It To Light Up?<\/strong><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\n

    The following question is commonly encountered by students during tests.<\/p>\r\n

    \"\"<\/a>Question Credit: Anglo Chinese School (Junior)\/ 2015 Primary 5 SA1\/ Question 18<\/em><\/p>\r\nWe can see that the key difference between the four options is the connection of the bulb(s) in the circuit.\r\n

    Requirements Needed for a Bulb to Light Up<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nOne wire is connected to the metal casing & one wire is connected to the metal tip<\/u><\/strong>\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n

    \"\"<\/a>Example of a closed circuit<\/em><\/p>\r\nWhen the wires in the circuit are connected to the metal casing and metal tip of the bulb, there is a closed (or complete) circuit with the bulb. Electricity will be able to flow through the filament, causing the bulb to light up.\r\n

    What Happens When Both Wires Are Connected To The Metal Tip\/Metal Casing?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\r\nScenario #1: Both wires are connected to the metal tip<\/strong><\/span>\r\n\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n

    Example of a circuit when the wires are connected only to the metal tip<\/em><\/p>\r\nWhen both wires are connected to the metal tip of the bulb, electricity is unable to flow through the filament, preventing the bulb from lighting up.\r\n\r\nScenario #2: Both wires are connected to the metal casing<\/strong><\/span>\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n

    \"\"<\/a>Example of a circuit when the wires are connected only to the metal casing<\/em><\/p>\r\nWhen both wires are connected to the metal casing of the bulb, electricity is unable to flow through the filament, preventing the bulb from lighting up.\r\n\r\nNow, let us now take a look at the question again.\r\n

    Analysis Of The Options<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n\r\nWhen analysing the circuits, students need to take note of one key point:\r\n

    How is the bulb connected to the circuit?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\r\nIn the following analysis, I have traced the pathway that electricity flows through (in red) as well so that it is easier to understand why the bulb lights up.\r\n

    Circuit A<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n\r\nBoth the metal casing and tip of the bulb are connected to the circuit, forming a closed circuit. Thus, electricity is able to flow through the wires in the circuit to the filament, allowing the bulb to light up.\r\n

    Circuit B<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n\r\nOnly the tip is connected to the circuit. Thus, electricity is unable to flow through the filament, preventing the bulb from lighting up.\r\n

    Circuit C<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\r\nOnly the casing is connected to the circuit. Thus, electricity is unable to flow through the filament, preventing the bulb from lighting up.\r\n

    Circuit D<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\r\nBoth the metal casing and tip of the two bulbs are connected to the circuit, forming a closed circuit. Thus, electricity is able to flow through the wires in the circuit to the filaments, allowing the bulbs to light up.\r\n\r\nAs the bulbs in circuits A and D will light up, the correct answer is option 4.\r\n

    What We Have Learnt Today<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\r\nWhen students wish to find out if the bulb will light up, they should check the following:\r\n

    Are both the metal casing and the tip of the bulb connected to the circuit?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\r\nIf the answer to the question is \u2018yes\u2019, the bulb will light up. :)\r\n\r\nIn the next blog post, I will be sharing about the advantages and disadvantages of arranging bulbs in series and in parallel.\r\n\r\nStay tuned! :)\r\n\r\n
    \r\n\r\n[thrive_leads id='8207']","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9,7,4,6,3],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"modified_by":"Jaimie Aberia","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=119"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":244566,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119\/revisions\/244566"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/241543"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=119"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=119"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=119"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=119"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}