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Science and Art

Darwin2009: Exhibit at Phipps Conservatory

PLANT PYRAMIDS

Originally developed for Phipps Conservatory, this display was adapted to be re-created at classroom and homes.

The Plant Pyramids introduce the concept of inheritance as a vertical process. Each level represents a generation. The generation at the top is the parent of the second level, who in turn produce the bottom level. With guidance, students learn that DNA, in the form of seeds, is passed from one level to the next.

Self-Fertilization
These two pyramids represent self-fertilization of white and yellow flowers, respectively.

Cross-Fertilization
The yellow and white flowers at the top (G0) cross-fertilize to produce all yellow flowers (G1 - middle level). G1 flowers cross- or self-fertilize to produce the bottom level flowers (G2).

What Is Discovered

The varying pattern of colors suggest several discoveries about reproduction:

- In inheritance, characteristics of the parents pass on to the offspring
- in self-fertilization, the offspring are almost identical copies of their parents
- in cross-fertilization, the traits of the parents are combined in the offspring.
- Some traits are dominant over other (G1)
- Some traits can be hidden and passed on to the next generation (G2)
- With guidance, visitors can make discover that cross-fertilization or sexual reproduction creates variation and so propels evolution.

This exhibit was designed to preceed the Genetic Garden >>