Plant Kingdom Notes 1. Characteristics of Plant Kingdom A. Multicellular (Many-celled)

1. 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. 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. 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 carbondioxide) to perform photosynthesis D. Movement of water and nutrients— plants take up water and minerals with their roots, but make food in their leaves.

4. 4. Plant Structures • A. Leaves • a) Used for photosynthesis • b) Photosynthetic Equation: • 6CO2 + 6H2OC6H12O6 + 6O2 • c) Special structures • Stomata—opening in leaf to allow gas exchange • Cuticle—waxy covering to prevent waterloss • Guard cell—regulates opening of the stomata Light Energy Cross Section of a Leaf

5. B. Roots—are used for: • a) Absorption of minerals and water • 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 • fibrous—branchedroot system that grows close to the surface

6. C. Stems—are used for water transportation (vascular plants) • a) xylem—used to transport waterUP • b) phloem—used to transport foodDOWN • Exceptions- nonvascular plants • Mosses- no transportation system; therefore, they are small and close to the ground

7. D. Reproduction • a) Flowers—contains the male and female sexual organs • b) Cones—sexual • c) Spores—asexual • E. Seed—fertilized egg • a) Fruit—mature ovary that contains one or more seeds

8. 5. Plant Responses—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

9. 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.

10. 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 reduce water loss • Example: Cactus • b) Arctic Tundra • Plants are low growing and small due to lack of nutrients

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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