Vascular Plants

Vascular Plants Not limited to wet places – they have adapted to efficiently live in most climates of the world To live on land plants had to overcome the following problems: Water and Nutrient Transport Structural Support Water Retention Gas Exchange Obtain as much light for photosynthesis as possible Absorption of Nutrients Fertilization

Five Adaptations Vascular Tissues Cuticle Leaves Roots Reproduction without Water

Vascular Tissues Tissue provide support and a transport system for water and nutrients Vascular tissue is made of “hollow cells” Allow for efficient transport of materials from cell to cell Materials taken in from the soil through roots can be transported easily to the leaves and stems where needed Products of photosynthesis (ex glucose) can be transported from the leaves to other parts of the plant where they are needed Hollow cells are also very rigid – thick cell wall

Cuticle Fatty, waxy layer surrounding the outer wall of cells Works to protect plant cells on leaves and stems from water loss One problem with this adaptation is that it prevents water/gases from exchanging through these cells To solve this problem plants openings call stomata Guard cell surround the stoma Open when water is available

Leaves Provide large surface area for plant cells to absorb light Light is used to make food (glucose) Also surrounded in a cuticle with stomata

Roots Allows plants to penetrate soil for nutrient and water absorption Substances taken into roots are transported to places where they are needed throughout the plant by vascular tissue

Reproduction without Water Aquatic plants – sperm could swim through water to each egg (not possible on land) Terrestrial plants use other methods of getting sperm to egg Wind and insects Alternation of generations