Plant Organs and Function

1. Plant Organs and Function

2. Plant Anatomy and Functions

3. A. Leaves • Photosynthesis- sugars from sun’s energy • Gas exchange- inhale CO2 exhale O2

4. B. Stem • Supports leaves and flower • Transports water and nutrients to the leaves so that it undergoes photosynthesis

5. C. Roots • Absorbs water and nutrients from soil • Stores food (in some plants) • Anchors plant

6. D. Flower • Reproduction- Pollen-sperm, ovum houses the egg • Leads to fruit after the flower has been pollinated(fertilized) and then matures into a fruit

7. Plant Adaptations

8. A. Leaves • Broad leaves- increases leaf’s surface to collect sunlight andperform photosynthesis (found in low light areas, tropical forest floor) • Narrow Leaves- decreases surface area so that the plant decreases water loss (found in arid places,deserts)

9. A. Leaves cont’d • Cuticle- protective waxy covering that functions as permeability barriers for water/salt. • Prevents plant surface from becoming wet and helps from drying out. • Desert plants have thick cuticle- why?

10. B. Stems • Tendrils- helps plant grasp surfaces (thigmotropism) • Thorns-protection • Bark- protection

11. C. Roots • Taproots- straight tapering root that grows vertically down; deep dwon into the soil to try and absorb deep ground water. • Fibrous roots- thin highly branching roots growing from the stem; branching out near the surface of the soil to absorb water from the top soil such as rain.

12. D. Seeds/Dispersal • Protected seeds- fruit, shell or naked seed(pine cone_ • Wind Dispersal- seeds have specialized structure to catch the wind and float/blow away Ex-Dandelions • Water Dispersal- seeds are adapted to float and have delayed germination • Organism Dispersal- organisms eat the fruit and the seeds inside the fruit, and later defecate the seeds in a different location