Year 3 - Science
Seed formation and seed dispersal
What plants do and what they need
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit explores the functions of different parts of flowering plants, including roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. It investigates plant requirements for growth and the role of flowers in pollination, seed formation, and dispersal. Emphasis is on practical enquiries, and data presentation.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how seeds are formed and dispersed.
Key Notes
- Fertilisation occurs when pollen reaches the ovary of a flower.
- A seed is formed once a plant has been fertilised.
- Seed dispersal allows plants to spread out and avoid competing with one another for the same resources.
- Seeds can be scattered by wind, water, animals or explosion. This is called seed dispersal.
Vocabulary To Learn
- pollination: Pollination is when pollen from an anther is transferred to the stigma of a flower.
- ovary: Seeds are formed inside the ovary of a flower.
- fertilisation: Fertilisation happens when pollen from an anther reaches the ovary in a flower.
- seed formation: Seed formation happens inside flowers after a plant has been fertilised.
- seed dispersal: Seed dispersal is the way seeds are spread out from their parent plant.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may confuse pollen and seeds or think that pollen that is dispersed by the wind can grow into a new plant if it lands on soil.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
Fertilisation occurs when pollen reaches the ovary of a flower. A seed is formed once a plant has been fertilised.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'pollination'
Pollination is when pollen from an anther is transferred to the stigma of a flower. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may confuse pollen and seeds or think that pollen that is dispersed by the wind can grow into a new plant if it lands on soil. Correction: Explain that pollen is different from seeds as pollen cannot grow into a new plant. It plays a part in fertilisation, which leads to seed formation, but is not a seed and cannot turn into seeds.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Comparing what plants need in different habitats Study Guide
- How water is transported in plants Study Guide
- Life cycle of a flowering plant Study Guide
- Nutrients and fertilisers for plants (non-statutory) Study Guide
- Plants without roots Study Guide
- Pollination Study Guide
- The function of flowers Study Guide
- The function of leaves Study Guide
- The function of roots Study Guide
- The parts of a flower Study Guide
- What plants need: do Study Guide
- What plants need: final review Study Guide
- What plants need: plan Study Guide
- What plants need: review Study Guide
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