What is the function of the fluffy, white part of the milkweed seed?
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It protects the seed from insects.
No. Insects could easily eat the seed, even with the fluffy top. -
It helps hide the seeds from birds.
No. The white fluff actually makes it easier for birds to find the seeds, but the moving air from their wings also helps spread the seeds. -
It gathers pollen.
No. The seed has already been pollinated before the fluff develops. -
It causes the wind to spread the seeds.
Yes! The fluffy part of the seed acts like a parachute to let the seeds blow long distances with the wind. This spreads the plant's seeds over a large area.
Click to see which state standards this question tests, and which of my videos, experiments, and other resources support that topic.
Florida
SC.5.L.17.1 Compare and contrast adaptations displayed by animals and plants that enable them to survive in different environments such as life cycles variations, animal behaviors and physical characteristics.
A Walk in the Park | video, checked |
Nature Watching | video, checked |
Calling a Woodpecker | video, checked |
Selective Smelling | video, checked |
Seed Search | video, ClosedCaptions, checked |
Flowers | video, ClosedCaptions |
Onion Crystals | video |
Review Plants-1 | practice |
Review Adaptation-2 | practice |
Review Adaptation-3 | practice |
Review Adaptation-4 | practice |
Review Adaptation-5 | practice |
Review Adaptation-6 | practice |
Utah
UT.6.V.1.b Compare characteristics common in observed organisms (e.g., color, movement, appendages, shape) and infer their function (e.g., green color found in organisms that are producers, appendages help movement).
A Walk in the Park | video, checked |
Selective Smelling | video, checked |
Onion Crystals | video |
Thoughts on an Exoskeleton | text page, free |
Review Adaptation-3 | practice |
Review Adaptation-4 | practice |
Review Plants-5 | practice |
Review Plants-6 | practice |
Review Adaptation-5 | practice |
Review Plants-7 | practice |
Review Adaptation-6 | practice |
NGSS
3-LS4-2 Use evidence to construct an explanation for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing.
Flowers | video, ClosedCaptions |
Who Evolved on First? | text page, free, checked |
Review Adaptation-1 | practice |
Review Adaptation-3 | practice |
Review Adaptation-4 | practice |
Review Adaptation-5 | practice |
Review Adaptation-6 | practice |
MS-LS1-4 Use argument based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support an explanation for how characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures affect the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants respectively.
Bacteria and Antibiotics | video, ClosedCaptions |
Flowers | video, ClosedCaptions |
Onion Crystals | video |
A Walk in the Park | video, checked |
Nature Watching | video, checked |
Calling a Woodpecker | video, checked |
Selective Smelling | video, checked |
Pumpkin Guts | video, free, ClosedCaptions, checked |
Seed Search | video, ClosedCaptions, checked |
Orange Slices | video, ClosedCaptions |
How Does a Butterfly Fly? | text page, free |
Thoughts on an Exoskeleton | text page, free |
Review Adaptation-3 | practice |
Review Plants-2 | practice |
Review Plants-4 | practice |
Review Adaptation-4 | practice |
Review Adaptation-5 | practice |
Review Adaptation-6 | practice |
Review Plants-8 | practice |