Multicellular Organisms Section 2.2

Plants Producers – make their own food Autotrophs – self feeder Photosynthesis – captures sunlight and converts to chemical energy Chemical energy (food) is often stored in the form of starch H2O + CO2  C6H12O6 + O2

Plants Break down starch into sugar to get energy Cellular respiration C6H12O6 + O2  CO2 + H2O + Energy

Adaptations Allow plants to live in a variety of environments Examples: Rate of reproduction, amount of water, temperature, and protection

Examples of Adaptations Grasses have deep roots Seeds can be produced quickly in some plants Deciduous trees Conifers Palm trees Cactus

Response to Environment Gravity – plants have a sense of up and down Roots grow down; stems grow up Touch Tendrils – special cells that respond to touch of nearby objects Light Plants bend toward light with the help of hormones

Hormones A chemical produced in one part of an organism and travels to another part to produce a reaction Auxin – stimulates growth Moves away from light

Respond to seasonal change Shorter amounts of daylight cause trees to go into dormancy or some plants to die Amount of daylight can cause production of flowers