Brighton High School, RochesterSCIENCE 8.022020_Botana_Curus_Lab

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Relationships and Biodiversity Introduction: Botana curus is a valuable plant because it produces Curol, a compound used for treating certain kinds of cancer. Curol cannot be produced in the labora... tory. Botana curus grows very slowly and is on the endangered species list, so its ability to provide Curol in large quantities is limited. Species that are more closely related to Botana curus are more likely to produce the important substance Curol. Three similar plant species that are plentiful (X,Y, and Z) may be related to Botana curus. You will work as a researcher to:  Gather structural and molecular evidence to determine which plant species is most closely related to the hypothetical species Botana curus  Use this evidence to decide which plant species is most likely to serve as a source of the important substance Curol. Essential Questions to think about throughout this activity:  What type of information would be considered structural?  How would this help you to determine relationships between plant species? YOU WILL NEED TO OPEN THE POWERPOINT PROVIDED TO COMPLETE THIS ASSIGNMENT Structural Characteristics Perform the following tests, reference slide 4 in the Power Point. Record your answers in the spaces provided. Test 1 – Structural Characteristics of Leaves  Compare the structural characteristics shown in the pictures of each plant species. Record your observations in the space below. Note specific patterns of veins, leaf structure, etc. Species Structural Characteristics of Leaves Botana curus Long and sleek, Species X Wide, short, has spiked edges, splits into 5 parts at the top of leaf Species Y Long, branches out 5 times on each side. Species Z Tear shped doesn’t branch out, sleek like the botana leaf, 1 | P a g eTest 2 – Structural Characteristics of Seeds  Check out the pictures of the seeds for each of the plant types on slide 5 of the Power Point  Compare the structural characteristics of each seed sample. Record your observations in Table 2. You can look for any patterns or structural characteristics. Species Structural Characteristics of Seeds Botana curus Tear shaped, look like sunflower seeds Species X Oval shaped, rounded all around, resemble peanuts Species Y [Show More]

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