1. Trees, shrubs, grass, moss, ferns
Plant Adaptations
Trees, shrubs, grass, moss, ferns

2. Importance of plants Earth’s major producers
Food and shelter for many organisms
Supply O2 needed for cellular respiration

3. Characteristics of Plants
Eukaryotic
Multicellular
Autotrophs
Cell walls made of cellulose
Remember fungi & bacteria?

4. Theory—plants evolved from green algae (one of the plant-like protists) about 500 million years ago.

6. Similarities btwn plants & green algae:
Have cell walls made of cellulose
Have the same types of chlorophyll used in photosynthesis
Store food as starch

7. Some differences:
Green algae needs water constantly for photosynthesis & reproduction
Have no structures to prevent drying out
What characteristics allow land plants to over come these obstacles?

8. Adaptations of land-living plants
Structures that provide plant with food, water, and minerals – leaves & roots.

9. Leaves Broad, flat organ that traps light energy
Cells contain 1000s of chloroplasts (photosynthesis)
Location for most photosynthesis in plants

10. Adaptations of Leaves The leaf of the pitcher plant
is modified to attract &
then digest insects & other small
prey due to lack of nitrogen.
Plants that grow on forest floors produces broad leaves to capture the small amount of sunlight that penetrates between taller trees

11. Roots Plant organ that: Anchors plant in ground
Absorbs water & minerals from soil (assisted by root hairs)
Transports nutrients to stem

12. Adaptations of Roots
Exposed to air, ex. Epiphytes Usually for plants that need to grow on top of other plants to reach sunlight. Must get water from rain or mist because they are not in the soil. • Ex. Orchid
Swollen portions that can have buds to produce new shoots. Ex. Tubers, radish, potato, rutabaga

13. 2. Structures that aid in the transport of materials - stem & vascular tissues.

14. Stem Provides structural support for upright growth
Some green stems may also carry out photosynthesis
Contains tissues for transporting food, water, and nutrients from one part of the plant to another

16. Water moves from the roots to the leaves (what occurs in the leaves and what does it produce?)
Through xylem tissue

17. The sugars/food produced in the leaves move to the roots through the phloem tissue.

18. Summary Substance Direction Vascular Tissue Water Leaves  Roots Xylem
Food/Sugar 
Phloem

19. Adaptations of the Stem
A tuber is a stem, usually
growing underground,
that stores food. Ex. potato
A rhizome is a horizontal,
underground stem. New
shoots can form allowing
the plant to undergo
periods of dormancy. Ex. ginger

20. central stem surrounded by short, thick leaves. that protect the bulb
A bulb is made up of a
central stem surrounded
by short, thick leaves.
that protect the bulb
& store food. Ex. Onion, garlic

21. Tropism – movement of plant in response to environmental stimulus
Controlled by hormones
3 Types of tropism
Photo- light example: stem grows towards light
Gravit- gravity example: Roots grow towards Earth
Thigmo- touch example: Climbing vines

22. 3. Structures that help prevent water loss - cuticle & stomata

23. Cuticle Protective waxy layer on leaves
Prevent evaporation & tissues from drying out

24. Stomata Openings in the cuticle of the leaf
Regulated by guard cells - allow for gas exchange during photosynthesis
Can close to prevent water loss – transpiration
Stomata & guard cells

25. Adaptations of the Leaves
The narrow leaves of a pine
tree contain a waxy epidermis
as well as stomata shrunken below
the surface of leaf to reduce
water loss.
Cactus and other succulents have a tick waxy coating and reduced leaves to prevent water loss in arid climates.

26. 4. Structures for reproduction w/out water - flowers

27. Most flowers have 4 basic parts.
petals
pistil/
carpel
stamen
sepals

28. Adaptations of Flowers
Brightly colored and sweet nectar
to attract pollinators
Development of fruit for
seed dispersal

29. Flowers & Pollinators
Wind pollination - not very efficient; usually produce vast amounts of pollen to help ensure pollination; ex. Oak trees
Animal pollination - Most angiosperms are pollinated by animals - mainly insects, birds, bats - they carry pollen from one flower to another.

30. Animals have evolved body shapes that enable them to reach deep within certain flowers, ex. Hummingbirds

31. Different fruits
Fleshy fruits - apples, grapes, melons, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers
Dry fruits – peanuts, walnuts, wheat, barley, corn, rice

32. Seed Dispersal
By animals - Seeds contained in sweet, fleshy fruits. Seeds are covered with tough coatings that protect them from digestive chemicals. Then the seeds sprout in the feces eliminated from the animal.

33. By wind & water - Seeds are typically lightweight, allowing them to be carried in the air or to float on the surface of the water