DIRECTIONS: A carved pumpkin rots in a week; a whole one keeps for months. Find out why, then answer.
A pumpkin is mostly water in a sealed bag. The waxy, unbroken skin keeps out water, air and mold spores. Carving opens the bag: spores land on the warm, wet, sugary inside and start eating it.
Whole
Skin unbroken · nothing gets in · water stays in · months
Carved
Skin opened · spores land on wet flesh · water leaves · about a week
A pumpkin left whole on a doorstep in October lasts far longer than a carved one beside it. Explain why, in your own words.
Some people rub petroleum jelly on the cut edges of a carved pumpkin. Using what is on page 1, say what that is meant to do — and whether you would expect it to work.
Why the Pumpkin Rots — Questions
The Year · Page 2 of 2
A carved pumpkin lasts longer in cold weather than in warm weather. Why would that be?
Think of one other food in your kitchen that keeps for a long time until you open it, and then does not. Name it and say what opening it changed.