Year 3 - Science
The function of flowers
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 gather data from a colour survey of flowering plants and present your findings.
Key Notes
- There are many different types of plants. Some plants have flowers and these are called flowering plants.
- In flowering plants, flowers hold the parts needed to produce new plants. This is called reproduction.
- Pollination occurs when pollen from the male parts of a flower are transferred to a female part.
- Flowers are often scented and brightly coloured to attract animals, such as insects and birds.
- We can carry out a survey to explore which colours are most common for flowers.
Vocabulary To Learn
- flower: A flower is the part of a plant that enables it to reproduce.
- life cycle: A life cycle is the way in which a living thing changes as it ages.
- reproduce: When living things reproduce they create their offspring.
- pollination: Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the male reproductive parts of a flower to a female one.
- petals: A petal is a part of a flower which is often colourful and attracts insects to pollinate the flower.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may think the purpose of flowers is to make the plant look nice or to provide food for bees, rather than them having a function for the sake of the plant.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
There are many different types of plants. Some plants have flowers and these are called flowering plants. In flowering plants, flowers hold the parts needed to produce new plants. This is called reproduction.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'flower'
A flower is the part of a plant that enables it to reproduce. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may think the purpose of flowers is to make the plant look nice or to provide food for bees, rather than them having a function for the sake of the plant. Correction: Explain that the function of flowers is to allow the plant to reproduce and create more plants.
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
- Seed formation and seed dispersal 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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