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Some plants do not grow flowers – they reproduce in other ways. A group of plants called conifers produce their seeds inside cones.

Protective Pine Cones

Pine tree seeds

Scales

Female pine cone

The scales on the female cones of a pine tree have a clever way to protect the seeds inside. You may have seen this in action when you are out and about.

Let’s investigate how pine cones protect their seeds!

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Equipment:• A pine cone with open scales• An empty jam jar with a screw-top lid• Water

Method:1. Place your pine cone inside your jar.2. Fill the jar with water, completely submerging the pine cone. Secure the lid.

Prediction:What do you think the cone’s scales will do? Write down your prediction.

3. Observe the pine cone and its scales. Record what happens.4. After about an hour, remove from the cone from the jar and place it

in a warm, sunny place to dry out.5. Over the next 24 hours, observe the pine cone and its scales again.

What do you observe happening?

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Results:What happened when you placed the pine cone with open scales in the water?

When your pine cone dried out, what happened to the scales?

Conclusion:Why do you think the pine cone scales reacted to water like this?

What questions do you have about plants that produce their seeds inside cones? How could you investigate this further?