Plants Characteristics n n n Multicellular Eukaryotes Autotrophic

Plants!

Characteristics n n n Multicellular Eukaryotes Autotrophic: produce their own food through photosynthesis

Photosynthesis n n Requires: Light, Carbon Dioxide, Water Produces: Oxygen, Glucose (a sugar) Pigment used for photosynthesis: green pigment called chlorophyll Organelle where photosynthesis takes place: chloroplast

Two Types n n Vascular plants: contain tissues made up of tubelike, elongated cells through which water, food, & other materials are transported (ex. Trees, flowers, ferns) Nonvascular plants: do not have tissues; nutrients move through osmosis and diffusion (ex. mosses) n n Xylem- transports water Phloem – transports food ( sugar and nutrients)

Seed Plants n n Gymnosperms: seed is enclosed in a pine cone/ “naked seed” Angiosperms: seeds are enclosed in a fruit

Special Features n Roots: used to obtain nutrients/ water from the soil; anchor plant; acculumlate starch reserves n n Stem: structural support for growth & transports food, water, & materials; may serve as food storage n n Rhizoids– baby roots Vascular bundles: x and p Leaves: photosynthesis! (in the mesophyll) by traps light energy & grows toward sunlight n Cuticle: a waxy waterproof coating / prevents water loss

Special Features Leaves continued…. . n Stomata: pores on the bottom of the leaf that allow gases to enter and leave n Guard cells: open and close to regulate decrease water loss in times of drought

Special Features n n * Flower: used for sexual reproduction– smell and color attracts animals Fruit: a sugar-filled coating filled with seeds; used to attract animals to disperse seeds Spores: (primitive seeds) single haploid cell with hard outer wall/ asexual reproduction Seeds: an embryo & food supply covered by a protective coat and assist in dispersal,