The Story of the Seed

Since seeing it last, our broccoli plant has significantly changed. Quantitatively, it is now 4 ½ inches tall. Not only has the plant grown taller, but also richer in color as it is a deeper shade of green than before. The broccoli plant also has smooth leaves. Our broccoli plant moves water through transpiration. When the moisture from the roots reaches the leaves, the water on the underside of the leaves evaporates into the air, transfering the water. The water that eventually evaporates is also part of photosynthesis. Since our plant is growing, it’s safe to say it has participated in photosynthesis. Our plant takes part in the carbon cycle through photosynthesis as well. During this process, our plant absorbs the carbon in the air, and eventually releases it back into the air. Instead of carbon, oxygen is released as a byproduct. Plants take part in the carbon cycle when they die, too. Dead plants are broken down by decomposers, releasing carbon into the air. I know my pl...

Since seeing it last, our broccoli plant has significantly changed. Quantitatively, it is now 4 ½ inches tall. Not only has the plant grown taller, but also richer in color as it is a deeper shade of green than before. The broccoli plant also has smooth leaves. Our broccoli plant moves water through transpiration. When the moisture from the roots reaches the leaves, the water on the underside of the leaves evaporates into the air, transfering the water. The water that eventually evaporates is also part of photosynthesis. Since our plant is growing, it’s safe to say it has participated in photosynthesis. Our plant takes part in the carbon cycle through photosynthesis as well. During this process, our plant absorbs the carbon in the air, and eventually releases it back into the air. Instead of carbon, oxygen is released as a byproduct. Plants take part in the carbon cycle when they die, too. Dead plants are broken down by decomposers, releasing carbon into the air. I know my plant...

        Like all living things, our Brassica oleracea (broccoli) plant depends on and is affected by many things. These things can be living or not. Some abiotic factors our plant depends on for survival are sunlight, water, soil, carbon dioxide, nitrogen in the form of nitrates, space to grow, and the right temperature. Some biotic factors that affect our plant are other plants in the area, animals, fungi, and bacteria.         I know our plant is engaged in competition because there are many other plants near it that are in the same niche, like other broccoli plants and grass. Our plant is competing with these other producers for the resources of sunlight, water, and space.         In the struggle for these resources, the "winners" are the plants that continue to grow and thrive. The "losers" are the plants that wither and die from not getting what they need to survive. It's not always clear ...

There are many abiotic factors that affect the growth of our broccoli plant. Our plant needs sunlight to survive, or else it cannot undergo the process of photosynthesis. Sunlight is an abiotic factor. The health of our plant also depends on the weather, and the temperature that surrounds the plant. Space is also a huge factor that affects our broccoli plant. This density dependent factor can have a big impact on the growth of the plant. If there isn’t enough space for our plant to grow, it won’t get the proper nutrients it needs. Some biotic factors that affect our plant are other plant species, animals, insects, and fungi. We know our plants are competing with other plant species in the same niche for resources. Since our plants are growing in a planter box alongside other plants, they are all fighting for water, carbon, and nitrogen. There is plentiful resources in this case, but because of the close proximity it is technically competition. Because of this “competition” t...

Our plant hasn’t grown much this week, but it seems to be liking its new environment. The leaves are looking a nice shade of green, and the broccoli plant doesn’t seem to be withering at all. It is about 4.5 inches now, and its roots are beginning to grow deeper into the soil we planted it in. Overall, our plant is thriving. Our broccoli plant participates in the movement of water in the biosphere every day. It absorbs water through its roots in the soil, and that water is used to make sugar, which is the plants food. The excess water is then released into the atmosphere as water vapor, through a process called transpiration. Our plant is growing rapidly because of this. All plants are a part of the carbon cycle. Our broccoli plant and the rest of the plants in the world take in carbon through their leaves and use it to make food. This process releases a byproduct of oxygen into the atmosphere, allowing other organisms to breathe. In addition, when the plant dies or is consu...

        Given that I haven't seen our plant since we first planted it into the soil, I noticed many changes in our broccoli plant. It split into four sections that all ranch off from the main stem. Each section has varying sizes of one dark green leaf, with lighter green veins, on the end of it. It's about 4.5 inches tall.         Our plant participates in the movement of water in the biosphere by taking in water from the soil through its roots, changing it into vapor, and then releasing that vapor back into the atmosphere. This process is called transpiration. This role in the water cycle relates to the changes I noticed in our plant because all plants use water in the process of photosynthesis to make their food, which is how our broccoli is able to grow and develop its green leaves.         Our plant participates in the movement of carbon in the biosphere by taking in the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, turning it i...