PLANTS

A Seed Plant is…

• A vascular plant that produces seeds

• Vascular Tissue: forms a system of tiny tubes that transport water, food, and other minerals through the plant

Xylem…

• Is vascular tissue that carries water and minerals UPWARDS from the roots through the plant.

Phloem…

• Is vascular tissue that carries food throughout the plant (both UP and DOWN)

Roots are important…

• To anchor the plant in the ground

• To absorb water from the soil

• To store food for the plant

A taproot system…• Consists of a long, thick main root and

thin, branching roots that extend out of the taproot.

• For example, carrots and dandelions

A fibrous root system…

• Consists of several main roots that branch repeatedly to form a tangled mass of thin roots

• For example, grass

Stems are important…

• To provide the means by which food, water, and minerals are transported from the roots to the leaves (xylem and phloem)

• Hold leaves up to receive sunlight for photosynthesis

A herbaceous stem…

• Is soft and green

• Sunflowers, dandelions, grass, tomatoes, etc.

A woody stem…• Is rigid and strong

• (contains wood…crushed xylem and phloem)

• Lilac trees, rose bushes, maple trees, etc.

Leaves are important…

• To capture the sun’s energy and produce food and oxygen through the process of photosynthesis

A simple leaf…

• Has a blade that is in one piece

• Maple leaf

Compound leaves• Have a blade that is divided into a

number of separate leaf-like parts

• Palm leaves, mountain ash leaves

Stomata…• Are microscopic openings in the epidermis

of a leaf that allow carbon dioxide to enter and water and oxygen to exit

• Open during the day, closed at night

Transpiration…

• Is the process in which water is lost through the stomata in a plant’s leaves

During Photosynthesis…

• Green plants use sunlight, chlorophyll, water, and carbon dioxide to make sugar (food) and oxygen.

Flowers…

• Are structures that contain the reproductive organs

Sepal

• Leaf-like structures that protect the developing flower (bud)

Petal

• Colorful leaf-like structures that attract insects/animals with their colors and odors.

Stamen

• Male reproductive organ

• Thin stalk with small knobs on top

Filament

• Stalk-like part of the stamen

Anther

• Knob-like part of the stamen

• Produces pollen

Pistil

• Female reproductive organ found in the center of the flower

Stigma

• Sticky tip of the pistil that collects pollen

The stigma is sticky…

• So that it can collect and retain pollen from itself and other flowers

Style

• Slender tube that connects the stigma to the ovary

Ovary

• Contains eggs, which when fertilized become known as seeds

Pollination happens…

• 1. When a grain of pollen lands on the stigma

• 2. Pollen breaks open and a tube grows down the style to the ovary

Pollination…

• Is the process in which pollen is carried from male reproductive structures to female reproductive structures.

Fertilization happens

• When a sperm cell emerges from the pollen tube and fertilizes the egg cell in the ovary.

3 Main Parts of a Seed:

• Young Plant (embryo)

• Stored Food: found in the seed leaves of the young plant

• Seed Coat: surrounds and protects the young plant

Seed Dispersal

• The process in which seeds are carried away from a plant

• Wind, animals (sticking to fur; eating fruit and disposing of seeds elsewhere), water

Annuals

• Plants that complete their life cycle within one growing season. (impatiens)

Biennials

• Plants that complete their life cycle within two growing seasons. (violets)

Perennials

• Plants that live for many years. (tulips)

Pollen…

• Is found within the male flower parts

• Holds the cells that later become sperm cells