Practical Activities
To observe prepared slides of transverse section of stems of herbaceous and woody plants.
- Permanent slides of transverse sections of:
- Herbaceous plant and Woody plant are obtained.
- The permanent slide of a herbaceous plant is placed onto the stage of the microscope.
- Observations under the low power and medium power objective is made.
- A plan diagram is drawn and labelled.
- The permanent slide of a woody plant is placed on the stage of the microscope.
- Observations under the low power and medium power objectives are made.
- A plan diagram is drawn and labelled.
- In both cases, support tissues such as parenchyma, collenchyma, sc1erenchyma and xylem are observed.
To observe wilting in young herbaceous plants.
- A herbaceous potted plant e.g. bean plant is obtained.
- The plant is placed on the bench near a window and left for 3 days without watering on the third and subsequent day.
- The shoot droops due to fall in turgor pressure; caused by water loss.
To examine the exoskeleton in an arthropod.
- Obtain a beetle and observe the external structure.
- The exoskeleton is on the outer surface with muscles attached on inner side.
- The exoskeleton is hardened by chitin.
- Movement is due to joints on the limbs.
- Also examine various shed cocoons of insects e.g., butterfly.
To observe the external features of a finned fish.
- Fresh Tilapia is obtained and placed on a tray.
- Observations are made on the external features of the fish.
- A labelled drawing is made.
- Features like scales, fins a streamlined body and an operculum are seen.
- Opened operculum reveals the gills.
To examine bones of the axial skeleton of a rabbit.
- Bones of the vertebra column are obtained.
- These are cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral.
- For each of the bones the distinguishing features are listed down.
- Labelled drawings of the anterior and lateral views is made.
To observe bones of appendicular skeleton.
- Bones of pectoral girdle and fore limb are obtained i.e., scapula, humerus, ulna and radius.
- Labelled drawing of each bone is made.
- Observations on how the bones articulate with one another is made.
- Bones of pelvic girdle and hind limbs are obtained i.e., pelvic girdle, femur, tibia and fibula.
- Labelled drawings of each, bone is made.
- The distinguishing features of each bone is noted.
- Observations on how the bones articulate with one another is made.