Why Are Plant Reproductive Structures Ideal for Plant Reproduction?

Warm-UP Copy questions/statements & respond 1. Many plants have special adaptations that help to protect them from being eaten. List 3 plant adaptations for protection 2. ___________ - organelles that use the sun’s energy, carbon dioxide, and water to produce a sugar called ________ during photosynthesis. 3. Chloroplasts contains _____________. ___________ cells do not have chloroplasts. 4. Photosynthesis - occurs primarily in a plant’s _________. 5. ________ - tiny, microscopic building blocks of all living things.

Plant reproduction Structure - a part of an organism; also refers to the way parts are put together Flowering plants use flowers to reproduce. Flowers are the structures that perform reproductive functions in flowering plants. Flowering plants produce both male and female cells.

Flowers after it has opened Peduncle- a flower stalk, supporting either a cluster or a  solitary flower. Receptacle – the modified or expanded portion of the stem or axis  that bears the organs of a single flower  Petal - One of the often brightly colored parts of a  flower immediately surrounding the  reproductive organs Sepal – One of the usually separate, green parts that surround and protect the flower bud and extend from the base of a flower  after it has opened

The male parts of the flower are called stamens. Stamens have 2 parts Anther and filament Anther - The part of the stamen where pollen is produced. A slender filament typically supports the anther. Stamens are covered with pollen grains that look like yellow dust. Male cells are contained in pollen

The pistil is the female reproductive organ, the female organs of a flower stigma, the style, and the ovary Stigma -  part of the pistil where pollen germinates Style – a long, slender stalk that connects the stigma and the ovary. Ovary -  enlarged base of the pistil where ovules are produced The female cells are called ova. (ovules)

The pistil has a sticky tip that collects pollen dropped by insects or carried by the wind.  When the pollen sticks to the pistil and reaches the ovules within the ovary, fertilization occurs and seeds can be formed Once they are pollinated (fertilized), the flowers turn into fruits that contain more seeds. Some of those seeds grow into new plants.

Although plants cannot move from place to place, they have adaptations that allow reproductive cells to travel from a male plant to a female plant. Many flowering plants also have adaptations to attract pollinators such as insects, bats, and birds. Pollen sticks to these animals when they feed on nectar inside flowers. Then they carry the pollen from male to female parts of flowers. Bees visiting flowers carry pollen from flower to flower. Pollen can also float on the wind

However, not all plants reproduce using flowers. Simpler plants, like mosses, lack these specialized structures. Mosses reproduce using simple reproductive cells called spores. Spore - a reproductive cell capable of developing into a new individual without fusion with another reproductive cell Spores are most common in the non-seed bearing plants, including algae, liverworts, mosses, and ferns. In these lower green plants, as in fungi, the spores function much like seeds. 

Most plants can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction occurs by seeds or spores.  Asexual reproduction  -   reproduction by which offspring arise from a single organism, and inherit the genes of that parent only Video : Plants That Make Seeds: Gymnosperms and Angiosperms

Concept Review: Plants How do plants obtain and store energy from the environment? Answer: Plants use energy from the sun, water, and carbon dioxide from the environment to store energy in the form of carbohydrates. Oxygen is released when a plant makes carbohydrates in this way. This process is called photosynthesis.

How does plant structure aid in photosynthesis? Answer: Plants are made of cells which are organized into specialized tissues. Plants have roots to pull water into themselves. The water travels through xylem to the leaves, stems, or needles. The leaves, stems, or needles combine the water with light energy and carbon dioxide to make carbohydrates. The leaves, stems, or needles then release excess oxygen, wastes, and water into the air. The carbohydrates are transported to other parts of the plant by phloem.

What are some ways that plants defend themselves? Answer: Many plants have developed self- defense mechanisms in order to keep from being eaten. Some produce poisons which can be harmful to some animals that might eat them. Many plants have sharp thorns, spines, or prickles on their stems or leaves. Some plants close their leaves when touched so as to appear dead and unappealing as a food source.   

Why are plant reproductive structures ideal for plant reproduction? Answer: Plants reproduce using seeds and spores. Seeds and spores are carried by wind, water, and other organisms to distant locations where they can settle and grow. Plants cannot move by themselves, but seeds and spores can be carried from one location to another. This allows plants to colonize other areas.