Plant Growth and Adaptations

Chandelier Tree - California

Venus Fly Trap Venus Fly Trap

Soil and Minerals Soil contains a number of important nutrients needed by plants. Soil contains a number of important nutrients needed by plants. Plants absorb minerals from the soil (in water) and distribute them to all cells. Plants absorb minerals from the soil (in water) and distribute them to all cells.

Soil Layers Plants adapt to different soil types. Plants adapt to different soil types. Plants grow in the top 3 layers: Plants grow in the top 3 layers: O = Humus O = Humus A = Topsoil A = Topsoil B = Subsoil B = Subsoil C = Bedrock C = Bedrock Legumes use “Nitrogen Fixation” to absorb Nitrogen directly Legumes use “Nitrogen Fixation” to absorb Nitrogen directly

Minerals - The Big Three In organic Fertilizers contain: In organic Fertilizers contain: -Nitrogen (N): Promotes green growth -Phosphorus (P): roots & flowers -Potassium (K): hardiness (overwinter) The 3 numbers represent the % of the three elements in order (N, P, K) The 3 numbers represent the % of the three elements in order (N, P, K)

Organic Vs. Inorganic Read Page 560 Read Page 560 Write down a definition for: Write down a definition for: -Organic Fertilizer -Inorganic Fertilizer What is the advantage of using organic fertilizers? What is the advantage of using organic fertilizers? Release Nutrients slowly; nutrients won’t get washed away easily Release Nutrients slowly; nutrients won’t get washed away easily

Which Fertilizer? With a partner complete the “Discovering Biology” activity on P.560 With a partner complete the “Discovering Biology” activity on P.560 High Veggie Yield = High Veggie Yield = Winter lawn = Winter lawn = Lush green lawn = Lush green lawn = New lawn from seed = New lawn from seed = Many Flowers = Many Flowers =

It all starts with a seed… Most seeds go through a period of dormancy. Most seeds go through a period of dormancy. When conditions are favourable, the seed will germinate. When conditions are favourable, the seed will germinate.

Geotropism Lab Setup Setup your petri dishes with radish seeds and watch them grow!! Setup your petri dishes with radish seeds and watch them grow!!

Seed Anatomy Seed coat: Seed coat: -Protection from damage and drying out. Cotyledon: Cotyledon: -stored food for growing embryo during germination. Embryo: Embryo: -Baby plant that remains dormant until germination. Radicle: The primary shoot out of the seed Radicle: The primary shoot out of the seed Germination: Germination: -The process that occurs between the time the seed coat cracks open until the first leaves appear.

Germination 1. Seed ends its dormancy 2. The embryo releases the hormone Gibberellin (this starts the release of digestive enzymes which convert the stored starches in cotyledon into sugars for anaerobic cellular respiration)

Germination 3. The seed absorbs water, swells, seed coat cracks 4. Oxygen can now be absorbed so aerobic respiration begins. 5. Rapid growth (mitosis) of radicle occurs. *Sketch diagram on Page 563

Root Growth – The Zones Root Cap: Strong tip for protection Root Cap: Strong tip for protection Zone of Growth (Apical Meristem): Initial Growth/Division Zone of Growth (Apical Meristem): Initial Growth/Division Zone of Elongation: Cells lengthen and elongate Zone of Elongation: Cells lengthen and elongate Zone of Maturation: Cells mature and specialize Zone of Maturation: Cells mature and specialize

Roots – Up close! Complete the microviewer activity! Complete the microviewer activity!

Adaptations Using your text (P. 563), identify two plant adaptations to the following environments: Using your text (P. 563), identify two plant adaptations to the following environments: -Desert-Cold Climate -Wet-Fire -Nutrient-Poor Soil-Shade

Desert Waxy cuticle (cactus) Waxy cuticle (cactus) Small or no leaves Small or no leaves Extensive Root systems Extensive Root systems Quick Germination and Rapid Growth Quick Germination and Rapid Growth Hardy seeds Hardy seeds

Wet Environments Floating leaves Floating leaves Specialized roots Specialized roots Hollow stems for oxygen transport Hollow stems for oxygen transport Stoma on top of leaf Stoma on top of leaf

Fire Adaptations Seeds need to be singed to germinate Seeds need to be singed to germinate Fireweed – quick growth after fire Fireweed – quick growth after fire Ash environment ideal for young seedlings Ash environment ideal for young seedlings

Fireweed!

Cold Climates Flowers act as solar collectors Flowers act as solar collectors Leafs drop off Leafs drop off Dormant period Dormant period

Nutrient-Poor Soil Carnivorous plants – capture insects for nutrition Carnivorous plants – capture insects for nutrition Parasitic plants (vines) Parasitic plants (vines) Mistletoe!

Shade Adaptations Smaller plants bloom early (before maples!) Smaller plants bloom early (before maples!) Rapid growth Rapid growth

Plant Hormones Complete the worksheet using P. 568 as a reference Complete the worksheet using P. 568 as a reference

Farmer for a day! Pretend you are a commercial Pretend you are a commercial farmer and want to maximize farmer and want to maximize your long term profit. your long term profit. Each group will pick a plant hormone and explain (in a creative way!): Each group will pick a plant hormone and explain (in a creative way!): a) The benefits of using it on your crops b) The risks of using it on your crops