1. Plant Adaptations

2. Plant Adaptations
Inherited characteristics that increase the plant’s chances of survival

3. Reproduction with the help of:
Air
Water
Animal
The plant itself
No seeds
Animal! This is a bee pollinating a flower! The pollen that sticks to the bee’s legs is an adaptation that helps the pollen to spread from flower to flower.

4. Seed Dispersal Decreases competition and overcrowding
Can introduce the seed into a new habitat

5. How are these seeds being dispersed?
Air
Water
Animal
The plant itself
No seeds
Animal! Have you ever gotten these stuck to you?

6. How are these seeds being dispersed?
Air
Water
Animal
The plant itself
No seeds
Wind! These are Dandelion seeds!

7. Seed Dispersal by Air Carried by the wind
Examples: dandelions, tumbleweed, maple trees

8. Seed Dispersal by Water
Seeds or fruits are dropped from the plant into rivers, lakes, or seas (the seeds float)
Example: coconuts

9. Seed Dispersal by Animal
Description
Example
Attach to animal fur Ingestion followed by excretion at a different location Birds eat fruit and throw away the seeds
Burrs
Apple Berries

10. Seed Dispersal by Self
Videos
The plant forcefully ejects seeds by various mechanisms.
Examples: dwarf mistletoe, pea plant, squirting cucumber

11. The Narcissus plants look pretty, but they’re poisonous!
Video
Chemical Defenses
Some plants produce chemical compounds that are toxic to insects that may feed on them
The Narcissus plants look pretty, but they’re poisonous!

12. Carnivorous Plants
Live in wet, acidic environments with little nitrogen. Adaptations include:
- Ability to trap & digest insects as a nitrogen source

13.  Sundew  Pitcher Plant Venus Fly Trap 
Video
 Sundew 
Pitcher Plant
Venus Fly Trap 

14. Plants around the world have many of the same adaptations.
True
False
False! Each Biome on Earth has a unique climate and environment. Plants in each biome have developed specialized adaptations!

15. Which of the following would be an adaptation of an aquatic plant?
Tight tissues with no space for air
Seeds that float in water
Seeds that immediately sink
Chemical signals that attract aquatic herbivores
All of the above
Seeds that float in water!

16. Aquatic Plants Live in mud with little oxygen. Adaptations include:
Tissues with large air-filled
space: oxygen can diffuse
from the part above the
ground to the roots
Seeds that float in water

17. Which of the following would be an adaptation of a desert plant?
Fibrous Roots
Small Leaves
Dormant Seeds
Thick Stems
All of the above
All of the above!

18. Desert Plants
These plants must be able to survive strong winds, daytime heat, sandy soil, & infrequent rain. Adaptations include:
Extensive Roots: increase surface area to increase water absorption
Reduced Leaves (Spines): to decrease water
loss
Dormant Seeds: only germinate when
conditions are right
Thick Stems: store water