Adaptation- Dinosaur Plant (Lupe Anaya)
Dinosaur Plant, Is it Dead or Alive?
Author: Lupe Anaya
Principle(s) Illustrated
Characteristics of Life
Photosynthesis
Plant Adaptations
Species Evolution
Survival of the Fittest
Standards
MS Life Science: Evolution 3 e
Students know that extinction of a species occurs when the environment changes and the adaptive characteristics of a species are insufficient for its survival.
HS Life Science: Cell Biology 1 f
Students know usable energy is captured from sunlight by chloroplasts and is stored through the synthesis of sugar from carbon dioxide.
HS Life Science: Evolution 7 d
Students know variation within a species increases the likelihood that at least some members of a species will survive under changed environmental conditions.
HS Life Science: Evolution 8 a
Students know how natural selection determines the differential survival of groups of organisms.
HS Life Science: Evolution 8 b
Students know a great diversity of species increases the chance that at least some organisms survive major changes in the environment.
Questioning Script
Prior knowledge & experience:
Students know the structures and processes by which flowering plants generate pollen, ovules, seeds, and fruit.
Students know that that chloroplasts capture sunlight energy for photosynthesis
Students know that water is essential for life processes
Root question:
What are the adaptive traits that have allowed this plant to cope with long periods of dry weather?
How does this plant reproduce if it doesn't have flowers, seeds, or fruits?
Target response:
This desert plant is able to survive long periods of desiccation because it curls up in times of dry weather, retains only about 3% of its moisture, slows down its metabolism, and goes into a state or dormancy. When the rains resume, it hydrates and its metabolism increases.
Selaginella lepidophylla is a seedless vascular plant that reproduces single-celled spores produced by the strobilli.
Common Misconceptions:
Plants need flowers, seeds, and/or fruits to reproduce.
Plants that look this dry are assumed to be dead.
Photographs and Movies
Scientific Name: Selaginella lepidophylla
Common Names: Dinosaur plant, resurrection plant, false rose of Jericho