On the following slides, the green sections are the most important – Underlined words = vocabulary! Hyperlinks are shown in purple. Background Image Plant Systems

Image The Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) is our state flower and a plant native to Texas. Remember that plants are NOT dead, but very much alive and composed of eukaryotic cells! In this unit we will discuss the systems in plants, specifically transport, reproduction, and response. Introduction

You eat plants all the time! (at least you SHOULD)

Reproduction in Plants Plants reproduce in two ways By using seeds Angiosperms, also called flowering plants, have seeds that are enclosed within an ovary (usually a fruit) Gymnosperm, also called conifers, have no flowers or fruits, and have unenclosed or “naked” seeds on the surface of scales or leaves. Seedless reproduction Garden flowers and apple trees are angiosperms Pine cones are a type of gymnosperm

Reproduction via Flowers Flowers are a reproductive organ (not all plants have flowers) with male and female parts. pollination – transporting pollen (male sperm) to female part (ovule) fertilization – union of sperm with egg (creates a development of a plant embryo [seed] which grows into a mature plant). http://www.prairiefrontier.com/pages/families/flwrparts.jpg

Flowers Cont. Male Stamen – consist of the anther (produces pollen) and filament (supports anther) Pollen – contains sperm Female Pistil – consists of the stigma, (where pollen lands), style, (connects stigma to ovary), and the ovule (develops into the fruit) Ovule – develops into an egg, eventually becomes the seed when fertilized Non-sexual Petals – colored parts, attract pollinators (EX bees) Sepals – green parts, protect flower parts

Flower Cont. http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artoct08/bj-peru.html

Reproductive Tissues - Fruit Fruits develop from a flower’s female reproductive structure(s), and sometimes other parts too. The fruits contain the seed(s) provide a means to spread and disperse the seed(s) and/or as a food source [rich in nutrients] for the germinating seed. EX fleshy fruit like strawberries, apples, tomato, EX dry fruit like walnuts and acorns http://visual.merriam-webster.com/images/food-kitchen/food/fruits/tropical-fruits_4.jpg

Reproductive Tissues – Seeds Seed Plants form seeds (a plant embryo surrounded by a food supply) in order to reproduce. Seeds are encased in a protective covering called a seed coat. Video http://asm.wku.edu/courses/Biol115/Wyatt/Plants/seeds/seed.gif http://urbanext.illinois.edu/gpe/images_rev/seed-pics.jpg

Seedless Reproduction Seedless plants do not form hard seeds (EX mosses and ferns) and therefore these plants MUST have water in order for the sperm to swim to the egg.. http://www.kidsgardening.com/onlinecourse/Diagrams/c10/c10-4fern.gif Photo and caption by Bente Haarstad

Plants provide consumers with oxygen to breathe, food, shelter, as well as cleaning the air and water for the planet. Just like animals, plants are active responders within various environments to survive and thrive. Their use and importance is numerous; humans use plants with healing properties in medical treatments. Photograph by Luis del Río Conclusion