Land Plants vs. Aquatic Plants

Land Plants Vascular –They have “veins” that transport nutrients between leaves, roots, stems –The veins are actually vascular tissue called xylem and phloem Veins that carry water/nutrients

Xylem: carries water from roots to other parts of the plant Phloem: carries sugar and nutrients from leaves to the rest of the plant –Why would sugar come from leaves? Photosynthesis takes place mostly in leaves (Photosynthesis uses sun and CO 2 to make sugar and O 2 )

carbon dioxidewatersugaroxygen

Parts of a Plant leaf flower fruit stem seed roots

Leaves Main photosynthetic organ (why?) –Collects the most sunlight cuticle upper epidermis palisade cells lignin xylem phloem lower epidermis spongy cells stoma guard cell

Flowers/Fruits/Seeds reproductive organs flower petals are modified leaves that attract pollinators hold seeds dispersed to help the plant grow in new places

Stem/Roots the stem holds up and support the plant; it also has vascular bundles of xylem and phloem roots anchor the plant in the ground and absorb water and nutrients from the ground

What is the most important thing for a plant? Where would be the best place in the ocean for plants and other photosynthetic organisms to be? light near the surface

Zones Because light is so important to life, the ocean is separated in zones based on the amount of light that penetrates to that depth photic means light eu means good dis means poor a means no

Aquatic Plants What do you think are some advantages and disadvantages to living in or near freshwater and saltwater?

Seagrasses evolved from land plants horizontal stems called rhizomes very small flowers because… they don’t need to attract pollinators why not?

Salt Marsh A salt marsh is an area that is partially flooded at high tide

Salt-Marsh Plants Cordgrasses (halophytes- salt tolerant plants) –actually in grass family unlike seagrasses –not marine; just tolerant of salt –help protect areas from erosion –provide habitat and breeding grounds –only get covered by salt water at high tides –salt glands in leaves excrete salt

salt excreting from leaves

Mangroves trees and shrubs that live on shores land plants tolerant of salt create mangrove forests

thick leaves to reduce water loss; also excrete salt seeds grow for a little while on parent then drop into the sediment below

Pneumatophores specialized root extensions to help mangroves get extra oxygen because the mud they grow in doesn’t have enough

mangrove roots beneath water provide shelter for many types of organisms