Plant Anatomy

Flower: Is for reproduction. - It has the plant’s sexual organs Stem: Supports the plant and carries water and nutrients Leaves: Receive sunlight and CO2 - Releases water and O2 Roots: Hold the plant in the ground - Absorbs water and nutrients

1. Stamen: Male parts of a flower - Anther (with pollen) and the filament 2. Carpels/ Pistal: Female parts of flower - Stigma, style and ovary (female sex cells) 3. Petals: Generally brightly coloured and attach insects. 4. Sepals: Are green/ leaf like and protect the flower. They are found below the petals.

Pollination 1. Self Pollination: pollen transfers from stamen to stigma on same plant 2. Cross Pollination: Pollen transfers from stamen on one plant to stigma of another. Insect Pollination: Bright coloured petals, scented flowers, sticky stigma, only makes a small amount of pollen Wind Pollination: usually small, dull petals, no scent, long filaments (so pollen can blow away), stigmas are “feathery”

Characteristics of insect-pollinated flowers: 1.Flowers are usually large, brightly-colored and scented to attract insects. If the flowers are small they may group together. 2.Nectar is often present to attract insects. 3.Pollen is abundant. Pollen grains are large, sticky and heavy, usually with rough surfaces so that they can readily cling onto the insects bodies. 4.Stamens may be stiff. 5.Stigmas are usually not feathery and do no protrude. They are sticky so that pollen grains settling on them are not easily displaced. 6.Nectar guides may be seen on the petals (lines on flowers).

Characteristics of wind-pollinated flowers: 1.Flowers are usually small, dull-colored and scentless and thus not attractive to insects. 2.Usually no nector. 3.Pollen is abundant as wastage is higher. Pollen grains are small, dry, smooth and light so that they are buoyant and easily blown about by air currents. 4.Stamens usually have long, slender filaments that sway in the slightest wind and pollen grains are hence shaken out from the anthers. 5.Stigmas protrude and are large and feathery so that they provide a large surface area to catch pollen floating in the air.

Fertilization Definition: The joining of sex cells Pollen grains germinate on the stigma, growing down the style to reach an ovule. Fertilised ovules develop into seeds. The carpel enlarges to form the flesh of the fruit and to protect the ovary After fertilization the petals and stamens wither and die.

Seed Dispersal Seeds are dispersed in many different ways: Wind Explosion Water Animals Birds Scatter

Germination Seeds need specific: - Temperature - Air conditions (oxygen) - Enough water Seeds will lie dormant until everything is perfect for them

Plant Growth For photosynthesis 1. Sunlight 2. Water 3. Temperature 4. CO2 Essential Minerals 1. Nitrates (yellow older leaves if missing) 2. Phosphates (Purple leaves if missing) 3. Potassium (yellow leaves and dead bits)