Unit 1.3 How Seeds Are Spread
Unit 1.3 How Seeds Are Spread
1 thing - 1 point
2 things - 2 points
3 things - 3 points
1.3 How seeds are
spread
(Learner’s book page 15)
At the end of the lesson:
1. Can describe how flowering plants are adapted for seed
dispersal.
3. Can sort seeds into groups according to the way they are
dispersed.
The picture shows how the fruits of some plants disperse their seeds.
1. Some seeds are dispersed by animals
Some fruits use animals to spread their seeds. Fruits that spread in this
way must attract animals to eat them. These fruits are often colourful, soft
and juicy, and taste good. They usually have small seeds.
The seeds pass
through the
animal’s body and
are dispersed in the
animal’s droppings.
Some fruits and seeds have spines and hooks. These stick onto the
fur of animals or the clothes of people.
The seeds can be carried a long way from the parent plant before they fall
off, or the animal scratches them off.
1.3 How seeds are spread
(session 2)
2. Some seeds are dispersed by wind
Seeds that are dispersed by wind are light.
Dandelions have a parachute of hairs to help them float in the air. Other
seeds have thin papery ‘wings’ to help them blow away easily. The poppy
fruit forms a ‘pepper pot’ with holes in it. When the wind blows, the seeds
are shaken out and blown Sycamore
away. seeds
poppy fruit
3. Some fruits float
A few seeds are dispersed by water. The fruit must float to carry the seeds
away. The fruits have a spongy covering that helps them float.
For example, the coconut is dispersed by water.
Mangroves are trees that grow in salty water in warm, wet regions. Their
seeds, called ‘sea pencils’, float upright in the sea until they are washed onto
land.
4. Some fruits split open or explode
Some fruits disperse their seeds by themselves. The fruit dries out
and splits open to let the seeds fall out. Some fruits explode and
shoot out their seeds.
For example, bean pods dry out and explode in hot weather.
5. Some fruits drop and roll
Some fruits are heavy and round. When the fruits are ripe, they
drop from the tree and roll along the ground.
LET’S WATCH A VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqgVks9NViQ
SEED Dispersal sorting ACTIVITY:
LMS: On wordwall (optional)
SEED Dispersal sorting ACTIVITY
By animals By wind By water/ floating explode Drop and roll
By animals By wind By water/ floating
1. Which seeds would grow better: those in a tomato left on the plant, or those in a
tomato eaten by a bird? Say why.
-The seed eaten by a bird. The bird would spread its droppings away from the
parent plant. These seedlings would not be overcrowded like the seedlings that
germinate right next to the parent plant. They would be able to get more light
and water for growth.
-
2. Do you think peach seeds can be dispersed by animals? Say why or why not.
-Yes. Animals do not eat peach seeds, which are big and hard, but if they eat the
peach they may leave the seed on the ground some distance away from the
parent plant.
Check your answers
-Drawing
-People can carry seeds stuck in their clothes, shoes or hair. It can
bury seeds in the ground while walking. They can eat the fruit and
leave the seed behind on the ground.
Page 19
1 A water lily seed has a spongy covering. How does this help a water lily
to disperse its seeds?
ANS
-The spongy seed coat has air spaces that trap air and help the seed to
float.
2 Why are bean pods usually picked before the weather gets hot and dry?
-If the weather is hot and dry the pods dry out and will explode,
scattering the beans so we can’t pick them to eat.
3 Apple seeds are dispersed by the drop-and-roll method. How else can the
apple seeds be spread?
-The animals can eat the fruit and leave the seed behind on the ground.
4 How are the seeds this picture adapted for wind dispersal?
-wind dispersed – it has two wings that help it float in the air.
1.3 How seeds are spread
(session 3)
Activity Time
What did we
learn about
yesterday?
TODAY
I will Complete Unit 1. 3 Activity
(Pg 9)
impatiens
lantana acacia
jacaranda
Seed dispersal