Onion

High school (ages 12+)
Food & Cooking

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/onion

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific classification?Kingdom: Plantae, Order: Asparagales, Family: Amaryllidaceae, Genus: Allium, Species: A. cepa
2. What is the primary lachrymatory factor?Syn-propanethial S-oxide, a volatile sulfur compound produced via enzymatic reaction
3. Why do onions make us cry?When you cut an onion, it releases a gas that turns into a tiny bit of acid in your eyes, which makes your eyes water to protect them.
4. How old is the onion?Onions have been grown for more than 5,000 years, starting in Central Asia.

Phytochemicals: Naturally occurring chemical compounds in plants that may have beneficial effects on human health.
Mirepoix: A foundational aromatic base in cooking, typically consisting of diced carrots, celery, and onions.
Cultivar: A plant variety that has been produced in cultivation by selective breeding for desired characteristics.
Organosulfur Compounds: Chemical compounds containing sulfur and carbon, responsible for the characteristic flavors and aromas of alliums.