PlantsPlants

Plant AdaptationsPlant Adaptations

ADAPTING TO LANDADAPTING TO LAND

Plants moved from water to land Plants moved from water to land

-adaptations-adaptations to survive this new and to survive this new and strange environment. strange environment.

Challenges to move to land:Challenges to move to land:Water is scarceWater is scarceClimate (temp) changes rapidlyClimate (temp) changes rapidly

ADAPTING TO LANDADAPTING TO LAND

The move from water to land offered plants The move from water to land offered plants distinct advantages distinct advantages

more exposure to more exposure to sunlightsunlight for for photosynthesis photosynthesis

Increased Carbon Dioxide LevelsIncreased Carbon Dioxide Levels Greater Supply of Inorganic Nutrients Greater Supply of Inorganic Nutrients

Plant PlantsPlant PlantsChallenges Challenges AdaptationsAdaptations Do not live close to Do not live close to

waterwater Plants evolved Plants evolved

VASCULAR VASCULAR TISSUETISSUE, (xylem and , (xylem and phloem) specialized phloem) specialized to conduct water and to conduct water and nutrients throughout nutrients throughout the plantthe plant

Roots, stems, and Roots, stems, and leaves have vascular leaves have vascular tissue.tissue.

Plant PlantsPlant PlantsChallenges Challenges AdaptationsAdaptations Plants on land are Plants on land are

susceptible to Drying out susceptible to Drying out

through Evaporationthrough Evaporation

CUTICLECUTICLE enabled plants enabled plants to conserve water by to conserve water by slowing evaporation from slowing evaporation from

the plants body.the plants body. THE THE CUTICLECUTICLE IS A IS A

WAXY, WATERPROOF WAXY, WATERPROOF LAYER THAT COATS LAYER THAT COATS THE PARTS OF A THE PARTS OF A PLANT EXPOSED TO PLANT EXPOSED TO AIR. AIR.

cuticle

Which picture shows the cuticle of a cactus?

1

2

Plant PlantsPlant PlantsChallenges Challenges AdaptationsAdaptations Water needed for Water needed for

reproduction, because reproduction, because sperm had to swim sperm had to swim through water to fertilize through water to fertilize an egg. an egg. 

Plants developed Plants developed SEEDSSEEDS.  A .  A SEED is an Embryo SEED is an Embryo surrounded by food supply surrounded by food supply and protective covering.and protective covering.

Seed coat are textured so Seed coat are textured so that they stick to fur and that they stick to fur and feather of animals or feather of animals or contained in fleshy fruits that contained in fleshy fruits that are eaten and dispersed by are eaten and dispersed by animals.animals.

Seeds can survive long Seeds can survive long periods of bitter cold, extreme periods of bitter cold, extreme heat, or drought.heat, or drought.

Plant PlantsPlant PlantsChallenges Challenges AdaptationsAdaptations

ClimateClimateLots of sun, no rain (desert)Lots of sun, no rain (desert)No sun, lots of rain (rainforest)No sun, lots of rain (rainforest)

Insect AttackInsect Attack

Nutrients not available where they Nutrients not available where they livelive

Small leaves, thick cuticle, extensive Small leaves, thick cuticle, extensive rootsroots

Large leaves, thin cuticleLarge leaves, thin cuticle

Plants manufacture chemicals that Plants manufacture chemicals that have powerful affects on animalshave powerful affects on animalsEx. TabaccoEx. Tabacco

Carnivorous plants have specialized Carnivorous plants have specialized leaves that can trap and digest leaves that can trap and digest insects.insects.