Introduction:
Botana curus is a valuable plant because it produces Curol, a compound used for treating certain kinds of
cancer. Curol cannot be produced
... [Show More] in the laboratory. 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,
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Test 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
Look like small pebbles, come in different colors, really small
Species Z
Resemble sunflower seeds, more oval at the top then points off at
the bottom (tear shaped). [Show Less]