1. Plant Kingdom Notes 1. Characteristics of Plant Kingdom
A. Multicellular (Many-celled)
B. Eukaryotic (Has a Distinct Nucleus)
C. Autotroph (Makes its own food)
D. Cell wall made of cellulose (Good fiber for our diet)

2. 2. Benefits of Plants A. Oxygen B. Food C. Shelter D. Paper
E. Medicine
F. Clothing
G. Fiber in our diet
H. Fossil Fuels

3. 3. What plants need to survive:
A. Sunlight—plants have adaptations to gather sunlight for photosynthesis
B. Water and minerals—all cells require a constant supply of water. Minerals are absorbed along with water.
C. Gas exchange—plants must exchange gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) to perform photosynthesis
D. Movement of water and nutrients— plants take up water and minerals with their roots, but make food in their leaves.

4. a) Absorption of minerals by active transport and water by osmosis.
A. Roots—are used for:
a) Absorption of minerals by active transport and water by osmosis.
b) Storage of starches
c) Anchor to ground
d) 2 main types of roots:
taproot—grow long and deep to reach
water below the surface.
Ex. Carrots, radishes
fibrous—branched root system that
grows close to the surface helps prevent
soil from being washed away by rain.
e) Plants can have taproots, fibrous roots or both.

5. B. Stems—are used for water transportation (vascular plants)
a) xylem—used to transport water UP from roots
b) phloem—used to transport food
produced by photosynthesis
Exceptions- nonvascular plants
Mosses- no transportation system; therefore, they are small and close to the ground
Stems produce leaves, branches and flowers

6. C. Leaves a) Absorb light and carry out photosynthesis
b) Photosynthetic Equation:
6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2
c) Special structures
Cuticle—waxy covering on surface to prevent water loss
Stomata—opening in leaf to allow exchange of O2, CO2 and water vapor
Guard cell—regulates opening of the stomata and respond to conditions in the environment (wind, temperature) to maintain homeostasis within leaf.
Light Energy

7. Transpiration – loss of water through stomata
Cross Section of a Leaf
Transpiration – loss of water through stomata
When water is abundant, it flows from roots to leaves and guard cells respond by opening stomata to release excess water
When water is scarce, guard cells respond by closing stomata to limit transpiration

8. Transpiration

9. D. Reproduction
a) Flowers—contain the male and female sexual organs
b) Cones—sexual, male and female cones
c) Spores—asexual
E. Seed—fertilized egg
a) Fruit—mature ovary that contains one or more seeds
ex. Apples, grapes, cucumbers, tomatoes

10. 5. Plant Responses to external factors—Tropisms
A. Gravitropism—response to gravity
Plants grow upwards out of the soil and
the roots grow down
B. Phototropism—response to light
Plants grow towards a light source
C. Thigmotropism—response to touch
Plants that close up when touched
Example: Climbing plants or vines that
twist around any object they touch
D. Photoperiodism – controls timing of
flowering and seasonal growth

11. Plant hormones – chemical substances that control cell division, development and response to the environment.

12. Plant Adaptations for Survival and Reproduction
1. Adaptations—an inherited characteristic that increases an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce.
A. How do adaptations occur?
a) Mutations—sudden changes in the genetic code (DNA).
b) KEY POINT: Beneficial mutations allow organisms the ability to adapt and therefore, survive and reproduce.

13. 2. Adaptations for Survival
A. Different environments:
a) Desert plants—able to tolerate strong winds, daytime heat, and infrequent rainfall.
Plants grow slowly
Plants have a deep root system to gather water
Plants have thick stems to store large amounts of water
Plants have spines instead of large leaves to limit transpiration
Example: Cactus
b) Arctic Tundra
Plants are low growing and small due to lack of nutrients

14. B. Carnivorous Plants—have specialized features for
B. Carnivorous Plants—have specialized features for obtaining nutrition
a) Pitcher Plant
b) Venus Fly Trap

15. a) Poisons—lethal when eaten
C. Defense Mechanisms
a) Poisons—lethal when eaten
b) Chemicals that act as insect hormones—disrupt normal growth and development
c) Thorns/thistles—undesirable or hard to eat
D. Leaf Adaptations—needle-like versus broad leaf
a) needle like leaves – better at retaining moisture in dry (arid) climates.
b) Broad leaves – better at absorbing sunlight in shady areas.

16. 3. Adaptations for Reproduction
A. Pollination—produces seeds by the transfer of pollen from male reproductive structure to female reproductive structure
a) Carried out by animals (mainly insects and birds) that carry pollen from one flower to another
Animals are attracted by bright colors, smell and nectar
(food)
b) Wind pollination—less efficient, relies on large numbers of spores

17. Fruits—provide nutrition for animals and helps plants spread seeds
B. Seed Dispersal
a) Animal Dispersal
Fruits—provide nutrition for animals and helps plants spread seeds
Burrs—get snagged on fur; carry seeds from one area to another
b) Wind and Water Dispersal— lightweight seeds carried in the air or float on surface of water