Stem in Action

A stem connects a plant’s roots to all its other parts. What action goes on in a stem? You can find out with this activity!

Materials

• celery stem with leaves
• scissors
• red food coloring and water in a clear plastic cup
• blue food coloring and water in a clear plastic cup

Procedure

Ask a family member to help you cut the end of a celery stem. Split the stem at the bottom so you can put the two parts in the two cups. Leave the ends in the cups for about two hours. See what the celery stem looks like every half-hour.

Results

What action happened in the celery stem? Suppose a plant’s stem breaks. What might happen to the plant?