Poaceae

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

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/poaceae

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 name?Poaceae
2. What is the number of species?Approximately 12,000 species
3. What is Poaceae and why is it important?Poaceae is the family of grasses that covers most of the Earth's land and feeds the world. They are a botanical powerhouse that helps make food and shape landscapes.
4. How do grasses help the environment and animals?Grasses turn sunlight into food for themselves and for animals that eat them. They also keep soil steady, help move water, and store carbon to fight climate change.

Phytoliths: Microscopic silica bodies formed in plant tissues, offering defense and aiding in identification.
Carbon Sequestration: The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Meristematic Tissue: Plant tissue containing undifferentiated cells capable of active cell division, responsible for growth.
Inflorescence: The complete flower head of a plant, including stems, stalks, bracts, and flowers.