Life Cycle of a PlantLife Cycle of a Plant

How living things grow, live, and dieHow living things grow, live, and die

2nd grade Science

Core ContentCore Content

SC-04-3.4.3SC-04-3.4.3 Students will compare a variety of life cycles of Students will compare a variety of life cycles of

plants and animals in order to classify and make plants and animals in order to classify and make inferences about an organism.inferences about an organism.

Plants and animals have life cycles that include the Plants and animals have life cycles that include the beginning of life, growth and development, beginning of life, growth and development, reproduction and death. The details of a life cycle reproduction and death. The details of a life cycle are different for different organisms. Models of are different for different organisms. Models of organisms’ life cycles should be used to classify organisms’ life cycles should be used to classify and make inferences about an organism.and make inferences about an organism.

VocabularyVocabulary Life Cycle – a series of stages that a plant passes through from Life Cycle – a series of stages that a plant passes through from

seed, seedling, mature plant, and death.seed, seedling, mature plant, and death. Reproduce – the process by which a plant makes more seeds. Reproduce – the process by which a plant makes more seeds. Seed coat – covers the outside of the seed to protect the tiny Seed coat – covers the outside of the seed to protect the tiny

plant. plant. Germinate – when a seed begins to grow because it has soaked Germinate – when a seed begins to grow because it has soaked

up enough water and sunlight.up enough water and sunlight. Flower – the reproductive structure of the plant.Flower – the reproductive structure of the plant. Pollination – happens when pollen is moved from a stamen to Pollination – happens when pollen is moved from a stamen to

a pistil. The flower then begins to make fruit and seeds. a pistil. The flower then begins to make fruit and seeds. Dormant – the stage where the seed is alive, but not growing. Dormant – the stage where the seed is alive, but not growing.

Usually in winter.Usually in winter.

Stage 1Stage 1

•Most plants begin their life cycle with a seed.

•A tiny plant and seed food is inside every seed.

•A seed coat covers the outside of the seed and protects the tiny plant inside.

Stage 2Stage 2

When the seed gets enough When the seed gets enough warmth and moisture, it warmth and moisture, it germinates or sprouts.germinates or sprouts.

The seed soaks up water, The seed soaks up water, and the seed coats splits and the seed coats splits open. open.

The seed sprouts.The seed sprouts. A root grows down into the A root grows down into the

soil and a little shoot grows soil and a little shoot grows up toward the sunlightup toward the sunlight

Stage 3Stage 3

As the roots grow, a As the roots grow, a stem will also appear. stem will also appear. The bean uses the food The bean uses the food in the seed to grow. in the seed to grow.

Leaves will grow on the Leaves will grow on the stem and the plant will stem and the plant will stretch toward the light.stretch toward the light.

At this stage, the plant is At this stage, the plant is called a seedling and it called a seedling and it can use photosynthesis can use photosynthesis to make its own food.to make its own food.

Stage 4Stage 4

The plant will begin to The plant will begin to develop flowers. develop flowers.

The flower’s function is The flower’s function is to reproduce to make to reproduce to make new seeds.new seeds.

Stage 5Stage 5

After pollination, the After pollination, the flower will turn into a flower will turn into a pod with the seeds pod with the seeds inside. inside.

Many plants also Many plants also develop fruit, which develop fruit, which covers and protects the covers and protects the seed. seed.

When the seed has fully When the seed has fully developed, the cycle developed, the cycle begins again.begins again.

Bean Seed Life CycleBean Seed Life Cycle

The Life Cycle of a PlantThe Life Cycle of a Plant

Use the life cycle diagram sheet. Draw what happens during each of the five stages of a plant’s life cycle. Be sure to explain what happens during each stage.