Plant Kingdom Notes 1 Characteristics of Plant Kingdom

Plant Kingdom Notes 1. Characteristics of Plant Kingdom A. Multicellular (Many-celled) B. Eukaryotic (Has a Distinct Nucleus) C. Autotroph (Makes its own food) D. Cell wall made of cellulose (Good fiber for our diet)

2. Benefits of Plants A. Oxygen B. Food C. Shelter D. Paper E. Medicine F. Clothing G. Fiber in our diet H. Fossil Fuels

3. What plants need to survive: A. Sunlight—plants have adaptations to gather sunlight for photosynthesis B. Water and minerals—all cells require a constant supply of water. Minerals are absorbed along with water. C. Gas exchange—plants must exchange gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) to perform photosynthesis D. Movement of water and nutrients— plants take up water and minerals with their roots, but make food in their leaves.

A. Roots—are used for: a) Absorption of minerals by active transport and water by osmosis. b) Storage of starches c) Anchor to ground d) 2 main types of roots: • taproot—grow long and deep to reach water below the surface. Ex. Carrots, radishes • fibrous—branched root system that grows close to the surface helps prevent soil from being washed away by rain. e) Plants can have taproots, fibrous roots or both.

B. Stems—are used for water transportation (vascular plants) a) xylem—used to transport water UP from roots b) phloem—used to transport food produced by photosynthesis • Exceptions- nonvascular plants • Mosses- no transportation system; therefore, they are small and close to the ground • Stems produce leaves, branches and flowers

C. Leaves a) Absorb light and carry out photosynthesis b) Photosynthetic Equation: Light Energy 6 CO 2 + 6 H 2 O C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6 O 2 c) Special structures • Cuticle—waxy covering on surface to prevent water loss • Stomata—opening in leaf to allow exchange of O 2, CO 2 and water vapor • Guard cell—regulates opening of the stomata and respond to conditions in the environment (wind, temperature) to maintain homeostasis within leaf.

Cross Section of a Leaf Transpiration – loss of water through stomata • When water is abundant, it flows from roots to leaves and guard cells respond by opening stomata to release excess water • When water is scarce, guard cells respond by closing stomata to limit transpiration

Transpiration • http: //www. classzone. com/c z/books/bio_09/resources/ht mls/animated_biology/unit 7/ bio_ch 21_0644_ab_material. html

D. Reproduction a) Flowers—contain the male and female sexual organs b) Cones—sexual, male and female cones c) Spores—asexual E. Seed—fertilized egg a) Fruit—mature ovary that contains one or more seeds ex. Apples, grapes, cucumbers, tomatoes

5. Plant Responses to external factors—Tropisms A. Gravitropism—response to gravity Plants grow upwards out of the soil and the roots grow down B. Phototropism—response to light Plants grow towards a light source C. Thigmotropism—response to touch Plants that close up when touched Example: Climbing plants or vines that twist around any object they touch D. Photoperiodism – controls timing of flowering and seasonal growth

• Plant hormones – chemical substances that control cell division, development and response to the environment.

Plant Adaptations for Survival and Reproduction 1. Adaptations—an inherited characteristic that increases an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce. A. How do adaptations occur? a) Mutations—sudden changes in the genetic code (DNA). b) KEY POINT: Beneficial mutations allow organisms the ability to adapt and therefore, survive and reproduce.

2. Adaptations for Survival A. Different environments: a) Desert plants—able to tolerate strong winds, daytime heat, and infrequent rainfall. • Plants grow slowly • Plants have a deep root system to gather water • Plants have thick stems to store large amounts of water • Plants have spines instead of large leaves to limit transpiration Example: Cactus b) Arctic Tundra • Plants are low growing and small due to lack of nutrients

B. Carnivorous Plants—have specialized features for obtaining nutrition a) Pitcher Plant b) Venus Fly Trap

C. Defense Mechanisms a) Poisons—lethal when eaten b) Chemicals that act as insect hormones—disrupt normal growth and development c) Thorns/thistles—undesirable or hard to eat D. Leaf Adaptations—needle-like versus broad leaf a) needle like leaves – better at retaining moisture in dry (arid) climates. b) Broad leaves – better at absorbing sunlight in shady areas.

3. Adaptations for Reproduction A. Pollination—produces seeds by the transfer of pollen from male reproductive structure to female reproductive structure a) Carried out by animals (mainly insects and birds) that carry pollen from one flower to another • Animals are attracted by bright colors, smell and nectar (food) b) Wind pollination—less efficient, relies on large numbers of spores

B. Seed Dispersal a) Animal Dispersal • Fruits—provide nutrition for animals and helps plants spread seeds • Burrs—get snagged on fur; carry seeds from one area to another b) Wind and Water Dispersal— lightweight seeds carried in the air or float on surface of water http: //www. classzone. com/cz/books/bio_09/r esources/htmls/animated_biology/unit 7/bio_c h 22_0685_ab_seed. html