Variation in Plants What are Plants Eukaryotic Multicellular

Variation in Plants

What are Plants? • Eukaryotic • Multi-cellular • Photosynthetic

Basic Plant Structure • Roots: – – Anchor plant Obtain water & minerals from soil Transfer these to rest of plant Can store food • Stems: – Transport water/minerals from the roots leaves – Holds leaves up – Can store food & photosynthesis • Leaves: – Photosynthesis! – Contain chlorophyll (which absorbs light)

Life Cycles of Plants • Annual: – Live 1 season; new seeds planted each year – Example: Peas, sunflowers • Biennial: – Live 2 seasons – Example: Beets, Cauliflower • Perennial: – Live for more than 2 seasons – Example: Asparagus, Roses, Fruit Trees

Adapting to Land • Waxy Cuticle: prevents water loss • Roots: anchor plants & obtain water & minerals • Leaves: capture light for photosynthesis • Stems: hold up leaves • Also need ways to adapt for mating purposes!

How do Plants Mate? • Self-Fertilization – Who should do this? Benefits? Costs? • Produce Seeds in Cones – male & female cones – No flowers • Produce Flowers & Seeds in Fruit – Flowers – Fruit = ovary with seeds

Plants Need Help in Mating! • Pollen: male part in seed producing plants – Wind can move pollen why we get allergies! – Animals can help move pollen • Attracted often by flowers • Fruits: why do we have fruit? – Attract animals eat fruit & move seeds elsewhere • Unique Structures: – Parachutes & wings – Hooks, Burrs

Environmental Impacts • Provide Food herbivores, nectar, seed eating animals • Provides Homes birds, raccoons, etc. • Oxygen • What else?

Economic Impacts • Agriculture food • Fibers ex: cotton • Wood homes, etc. • Medicine • What else?