FAst Plants 1.docx - NameChanel Puisseaux C h Date: 1 / 1 6...

Student Exploration: Fast Plants
®
1 – Growth and Genetics
Note to teachers and students: The Fast Plants ® Gizmo was created in collaboration with the
Wisconsin Fast Plants Program of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. These lessons can be
used independently or in conjunction with classroom Fast Plants experiments.
Vocabulary: allele, dominant allele, Fast Plants, gene, genetics, genotype, heterozygous,
homozygous, offspring, phenotype, pollen, pollinate, Punnett square, recessive allele, trait
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
1.
NameChanel Puisseaux
C
h
Date: 1
/
1
6
2.
2019
Gizmo Warm-up
Several common vegetables, including Bok choy, napa
cabbage, and turnips, are varieties of a plant called Brassica
rapa . Fast plants are a rapid-cycling variety of Brassica rapa
that was developed at the University of Wisconsin. These plants
have short growing cycles and are ideal for classroom use. In
the Fast Plants ® 1 – Growth and Genetics Gizmo, you will learn
about the life cycle and genetic traits of Fast Plants.
In the Gizmo, drag seed packet A to container 1 and seed packet
B to container 2. Click Play ( ), and then Pause ( ) after
about 10 simulated days.
1. A plants traits are its characteristics. Drag the magnifying glass over container 1. Describe

the traits of these plants. All of them have purple stems and green leaves
2. Drag the magnifier over container 2. How do these plants differ from the container 1 plants?
Activity A:
The Fast Plants ®
life cycle
Get the Gizmo ready :
• Click Reset ( ). Plant seeds A in container
1.
• Turn on Show hints .
Introduction: Fast Plants ® are grown in wicking systems, typically made of nested plastic
containers. The larger container is the water reservoir. Water from the reservoir travels through
the wick into the soil, where roots draw the water into stems and leaves.
Question: How do Fast Plants grow and reproduce?
to
2. Pollinate : The bee stick should be active at the bottom of the Gizmo. A bee stick is a dead
bee glued on a toothpick. Drag the bee stick through the flowers.
2019