How to work with Adaptations of Leaves

Plants have some amazing ways of surviving – and the adaptations of  their leaves are very important in their survival. However, scientists believe only 20% of the Earth’s original forests remain. Human actions and interventions  have destroyed many of these. Sadly just 10% of plant-rich areas on the planet have official protection in place to conserve biodiversity. This in despite the fact that up to 68% of plant species are in danger of extinction. Climate change, and deforestation are causing plant species to go extinct up to 10,000 times faster than would happen naturally.

While all these plants are still around, lets look at some  random fun facts about them.

• Lightning strikes oak trees more than any other tree. This is mainly because they are often taller than others.
• A cluster of bananas is called a hand and consists of 10 to 20 bananas known as fingers.
• Elephant grass grows up to 10 feet high, high enough for elephants to hide there.
• Eating lots of onions will make you sleepy. An amino acid called L-tryptophan, which is a natural sedative, is responsible.
• The baobab tree, which grows in Africa is enormous. The largest circumference on record is 47 metres.
• Even though a sunflower looks like one large flower, it is actually composed of hundreds of tiny flowers called florets!

GCSE Science students – you need to be able to describe how leaves adapted for their function. Our guide, “How to work with Adaptations of Leaves” can help. Included, as always are questions to try, and answers to check your understanding.

To see the guide, click on the picture below.

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