You will know how plants are adapted to their environment. Adaptation in plants You will know how plants are adapted to their environment.

Learning Outcomes All students know that plants are adapted to their environments. Most students can describe the adaptations shown by plants Some students can explain why named plant adaptations are successful in a given environment.

Poison Ivy

Poppies

Organ Pipe cacti

How is a cactus adapted? How is a cactus adapted to life in a very hot, dry climate? water stored in a fleshy stem, and a thick, waxy surface reduces water loss leaves are narrow spines to reduce water loss and protect from predators Photo credit: Paul Harvey roots are either very deep, or shallow and widespread to catch surface water

What do flowers do? Flowers enable plants to reproduce sexually. For this to happen, pollen from one flower must be carried to another flower – either on the same plant or on a different plant. This is called pollination. Photo credit: Tracy Toh In what ways can pollination take place? Pollen is carried by insects from one flower to another. Pollen is blown by wind from one flower to another.

Which organism? Teacher notes This quiz activity could be used as a plenary or revision exercise. There are six mystery organisms to identify and each organism has three clues. The similarity of adaptations between different organisms could be used as stimulus for a wider discussion about evolution.