Chapter 10: The Structure & Function of Plants

Chapter 10, Section 1 & 2: The Plant Kingdom What is a plant? Nearly all plants produce their own food (autotrophs) They are made up of many cells and different types of tissue (eukaryotic) All plant cells are surrounded by cell walls

TABLE TALK Recall that tissues are groups of similar cells that perform a specific function. Tissues form organs that have specific functions. How many different plant organs can you think of?

(As you write these notes, leave spaces) Adaptations for living on land Table Talk: What do you suppose these structures are? Plants must have structures that allow them to: – Obtain water, nutrients & sunlight Roots Leaves – Retain water Cuticle – waxy, waterproof coating that covers the leaves of most plants; reduces water loss – Transport materials in their bodies Vascular tissue – Support their bodies Stems & leaves – Reproduce Eggs & sperm

Classification of Plants NONVASCULAR PLANTS – Plants that lack a well- developed system of tubes for transporting water and other materials – Low growing – No roots – Thin cell walls – Obtain water/nutrients directly from their surroundings – ie: mosses, liverworts, hornworts liverwort moss hornwort Table Talk: Why do nonvascular plants have thin cell walls?

VASCULAR PLANTS Have true vascular tissue (similar to tubes or veins) Better suited to live in dry areas Transport water & nutrients Vascular tissue provides strength, stability, & support

TYPES OF VASCULAR PLANTS Seedless – reproduce by making spores Gymnosperms – reproduce by seeds – no fruits or flowers Angiosperms – flower and produce seeds that are surrounded by fruit

Table Talk Can you name some other: Seedless vascular plants? Gymnosperms? Angiosperms?

Plants have complex life cycles All plants, both vascular and non-vascular go through two stages: 1.Sporophyte – the plant produces spores, tiny cells that can grow into new organisms 2.Gametophyte – this is the new organism where sex cells (eggs and sperm) are created

As you can see, this process is very complicated for a flowering plant! Stay tuned: more on pollination later! See Brainpop “Seedless Plants” End