Which is my peanut? - Class Activity

Date: 12 January 2011

Observations of Peanut
- Has a brown spot
- Length: 2.7cm
- Colour: Beige
- Hooked end

Isabella's comments: Use more scientific terms! Specify where the brown spot is, and where the hooked end is located. Maybe you could measure the narrowest circumference!

[Note: The narrowest circumference of the peanut is measured, instead of the width, as a peanut is uneven in width.]

1. What is the scientific name of the peanut plant? Arachis hypogea
2. Which family does the peanut belong to? Fabaceae

Reflection on Peanut Observation Activity

1) What were the different ways you found to distinguish one peanut from another? 

Length & circumference of peanut, shape, colour, presence of any marks/spots on peanut

2) What proved to be the most helpful information in finding a specific peanut?
Shape of the peanut

3) What percentage of your class could locate their own peanut? 
93.75%

7) How important were your notes of your observation in locating the peanut? If your memory was a better guide, what does that say about your notes?
My notes were important in locating the peanut, especially the diagram of the peanut that I drew. If my memory is a better guide, that means my notes are not accurate and detailed enough.

8) Which of the following statements are observations and which are inferences?
a) Inference
b) Observation
c) Observation
d) Observation
e) Inference
f) Inference
g) Inference
h) Observation
i) Observation

Other notes
Describing Different Viewpoints:
For animals;

Backbone - dorsal
Head - anterior
Belly - ventral
Tail - posterior

For objects like peanuts, the term "side view of ____" will suffice.

Calculating Magnification:

Magnification = Length of drawing / Length of actual specimen

Magnification must be at least x2.