The Plant Kingdom E.Q: What are the characteristics of the plant kingdom? How are plants classified?
The Plant Kingdom Plants are multicellular autotrophs that are mostly found on land
Characteristics of the Plant Kingdom Challenges to Living on Land Adaptations Obtaining water and other nutrients Roots absorb water and nutrients from soil Shoots bare leaves Roots and shoots are made of vascular tissue Supporting their bodies Production of lignin a chemical that hardens plant cell walls
Characteristics of the Plant Kingdom Challenges to Living on Land Adaptations Maintaining moisture Waxy cuticle (water proof layer on leaves) Stomata prevent water loss from evaporation. Close when the air is too warm Reproduction Adapted to protect the gametes (eggs/sperm) from drying out Means for dispersal (carried by wind or animals
Classifying Plants Nonvascular – plants that lack a well developed system for transporting water and minerals. Vascular – plants with true vascular tissue
Plants Life Cycle Plants have a complex life cycle that includes 2 different stages: Sporophyte stage: plant produces spores, tiny cells that grow into new organisms Gametophyte Stage: plant produces two kinds of cells sperm cells (pollen) and egg cells.