Welcome back! We’re almost done… Major Due Dates… Plant Graphic organizer assignment – Thurs, Jan 14th GMO Debate – Tues, Jan 19th Plant Unit Test – Wed, Jan 20th Exam Review Day – Jan 21st and 22nd Final Exam – Tues, Jan 28th

Unit 5 Plants: Anatomy, Growth & Function

Remember the Kingdoms?

Characteristics of Plants Eukaryotic cells Cells have cell walls that contain cellulose Cells have numerous organelles Lack mobility Can undergo photosynthesis (autotrophs)

Evolution of Plants Onto Land To make the transition to land, plants had to adapt and undergo major modifications: Supportive structure  stems & roots Anchoring structure  roots Transport system  vascular system Means to Reduce Water Loss  cuticle (leaf) Means to Exchange Gases  stomata (leaf) Reproductive Structures For Dry Conditions  spores, pollen, flowers, fruit, & seeds

IMPORTANCE OF PLANTS Plants are the Base of Food Chain  Producers!! Photosynthesis is the creation of food energy from sunlight, CO2, and water This is the only source of energy for all living things! Recall: Sunlight + CO2 + H2O  C6H12O6 + O2

IMPORTANCE OF PLANTS (Con’t) Plants Provide SHELTER Animals use plants as protection from the elements and predators! Plants Create the PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT of the Ecosystem Animals have evolved to use the habitat and conditions created by plant life to survive!

IMPORTANCE OF PLANTS (Con’t) Importance of Plants to Humans: Food & Food Processing Energy (Fires) Clothing Construction Medicine, etc.

PLANTS & BIODIVERSITY Plants support all the animal species living in an ecosystem 1 plant species supports an average of 50 different animal species!! 300 000 plant species support 10 million animal species As many as ¼ of the world’s plant species are endangered! (Science)

Human Activity & Plants Deforestation Agriculture Segmentation of Habitat Pollution Invasive Species (40% of all extinctions) Monocultures

Graphic Organizer… You have the rest of the class to work on this assignment It is due on Monday, Jan. 12th!!