Parts of a Flower
All living things have different parts. These parts have functions that help the living thing grow and survive. Among plants, flowers serve the purpose of multiplying the plant. Flowers can develop seeds or fruit which can be planted and from which more plants will grown. Because plants are vital to our environment and survival, flowers which help plants multiply are vital as well. There are many quick science projects that can be done with the study of flowers. Before delving into any, though, we'll discuss the parts of a flower.
Flowers have petals, which are usually colorful. Petals are colorful in order to attract insects. Sometimes, the petals of a flower are scented. This is part of what makes it attractive to humans and other animals. Flower petals also serve the purpose of protecting the inner parts of the flower. When flower petals begin to fall, this can signal the completed fertilization of a seed, or the beginning of a plant's fruiting season.
The style of a flower is the stalk like structure at the middle of the flower. At the end of the style is the flower's stigma, which is covered in a sticky substance that the pollen of the flower is attached to. For one of your quick science projects, start looking at the flowers in your neighborhood, and see if all of them have long styles. Many times styles differ in length.
The ovule of a flower is the equivalent of the animal egg. This ovule is what will become a seed, and it is protected by the ovary, which later on can become a fruit. Near this is the flower's nectary, which is where the sweet nectar that insects like bees like is stored. The last two parts of a flower that are inside are the anther and the filament. The filament is the anther's stalk, while the anther contains pollen, which can fertilize the stigma of another flower or the same flower.
Finally, flowers are held up by flower stalks, connected to the main plant. The receptacle is what attaches the flower itself to a stalk. While still a flower bud, leaf-looking structures known as sepals surround the flower bud in order to protect it while it develops. In the projects section of the site, look at the flower chart project. This is one of the many quick science projects you can do with flowers. It's also one of the good quick science projects you can use if you need a project fast. Mastering the parts of a flower will be useful in the future, if you take up either gardening or botany.
