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American Museum of Natural History

The Parts of a Corn Seedling (Zea mays, Monocotyledon)

corn_seedling

Monocotyledon: Monocotyledon embryos have one cotyledon that absorbs food. Monocots usually have narrow leaves with parallel veins, and flower parts in multiples of three. They are mostly herbaceous (non-woody) and include grasses, lilies, and orchids. 
Root system: The part of a plant that is usually below ground, anchors the plant, and absorbs water and minerals. 
Coleoptile: A sheath enclosing the actively growing part of a grass.

  • More About This Resource...

    • This illustrated guide to a soybean seedling (Glycine max,Dicotyledon) is designed to help students recognize and learn the plant’s individual parts. Along with an explanation of dicotyledon embryos, it includes a short description for the following labeled parts:

      • root system,
      • cotyledon,
      • axillary buds,
      • petiole,
      • compound leaf, and
      • leaflet.

    • Completion Time

      Less than 1 period

    • Teacher Tip

      Supplement a study of biodiversity with an activity drawn from this illustrated guide to soybean seedlings.

      1. Distribute copies of The Parts of a Soybean Seedling to students.
      2. Divide the class into small groups, giving each one a soybean seedling to examine.
      3. Have the groups investigate the commercial uses of soybeans—paying particular attention to which parts of the plant are used—and then report their findings to the class. 

    • Topic

      Biology

    • Subtopic

      Plants