Think you knew everything about plants? Think again. This plant in Borneo wasn't creating enough food by itself, so it enlisted the help of neighboring ants. In exchange for nectar, the local ants provide protection, fertilizer, and cleaning services for the Pitcher Plant.The scientists were able to directly prove that plants with the ants formed a symbiotic relationship that enabled the plants to thrive.

 

The carnivorous plants with ants produced more and larger leaves, and their adult foliage was also three times as rich in nitrogen, the nutrient that is key to organic molecules such as proteins and DNA. Plants with ants also had more and larger pitchers — likely in part because the ants kept away weevils that would have chewed on pitcher buds — and their pitchers held greater masses of prey.

A Cool Infographic
[Via: Online Schools]

Last Saturday, we finished our garden.  We mixed in compost and then planted seeds.  We put cold frames over our young strawberry plants to protect them from the cold.  Later, we discussed food deserts in America and how some studies show that craving fast food is similar in the brain to drug addiction.  Both are linked to dopamine, a neurotransmitter.  We compared how often we should eat vegetables, which is three times a day, to how often we  actually eat vegetables.  We had some great discussions.  Here's a pic of our busy garden:

today we went to science cornor to finish planting seeds we started last time.But first we had to go get the cold frames for the strawberries and i accdentally broke one...oops.After we cleaned up the glass from my accident we went took them outside were we stopped a japanese beetle from invading our plants.After break we came inside and got in a circle to discuss an article called America's 'food desert'. The article talked about how some people are addicted to fast food.

Today was pretty much another average day in the component of Agriscience. Today we went out to the garden to finally plant the strawberries. We also planted corn I believe. It was pretty fun but also really hot. After that we also discussed how the fast food industries is strategically placing restaurants in society and future projects. Funny Fun Fun Fun

i went to science corner and planted strawbeeries and cucumbers and watermelon. then came back in and got buckets of water that we didnt need then came back in and talkd in a circle about healthy food. which wass okay.