1. Plant Systems: Structure and Function
Objectives: 1.

2. WHAT IS A PLANT? multicellular eukaryotic non-motile
autotrophic (photosynthesis, chlorophyll)

3. TYPES OF PLANTS

4. WHAT DO PLANTS NEED?
Plants photosynthesize, they do not need to ‘hunt’ for their own food (non-motile so they do not need complicated nervous, skeletal and muscle systems)
They do need to: exchange gases with their environment
Absorb water and nutrients and transport these around the plant
Reproduce (sexually and non-sexually)

5. PLANT SYSTEMS: ROOTS AND SHOOTS
The shoot system has 2 main functions:
1. photosynthesis
2. reproduction
The root system has 3 main functions
1. anchor the plant
2. absorb H2O and minerals
3. store food

6. ROOT SYSTEMS There are 2 main types of root systems:
Fibrous Root Tap Root
(monocots) (dicots)
adapted to increase surface area for absorption
shallow depth in soil
grasses, lilies
adapted to anchor (esp. huge plants like trees) and storage
grow deeper into soil
carrots, trees, dandelions

7. SHOOT SYSTEMS CO2 + H2O  C6H12O6 + O2
There are 3 parts to stem systems:
1. LEAF
Main photosynthetic organ
(light energy)
CO2 + H2O  C6H12O6 + O2
(glucose)
Organelles in the leaf called chloroplasts are responsible for this reaction
See p. 127 for leaves that have been adapted for support (tendrils), protection (spines) and reproduction (colour)

9. 2. FLOWER
Designed for sexual reproduction
Can be male, female or, most often, both
Pollination (male pollen landing on female stigma) can occur with the aid of wind (grass, maple trees), insects (bees, butterflies, flies), birds (humming birds) or even bats (Dracula)

10. The Flower

11. The Flower Male reproductive structures produce pollen
Female reproductive structures produce eggs
Eggs are fertilized by pollen
Male:
Stamen
Anther
Filament
Female:
Pistil/Carpel
Stigma
Style
Ovary

12. The Flower - Fertilization
After fertilization, female parts form seeds
Seeds are contained within a fruit
Fruit helps spread seeds away from plant

13. 3. STEM
Main function is support of leaves and flowers for maximum photosynthesis and pollination
Transports sugars from the leaves to roots and roots to leaves in spring (think maple syrup)
Transports and water, minerals and nutrients from the roots to the leaves and developing fruit

15. Your Task
HW: p.128 #2,4,5,6,7

16. Plant Tissues

17. Plant Tissue Types There are 3 main types of plant tissue: Dermal
Ground
Vascular
Each of these tissue systems includes a variety of specialized cells

18. Just like humans start off a unspecialized stem cells, plants start off as undifferentiated cells
These meristem cells only grow in the meristematic regions of a plant
After they appear, and depending on where they are, the meristem cells will differentiate into specialized cells

19. Dermal Tissue Forms outermost layer of a plant.
Epidermis can be specialized:
Epidermal root cells can form root ‘hairs’ to absorb water and minerals.
cross section of a root

20. Dermal Tissue
Epidermal leaf cells produce a waxy waterproof cuticle which stops intruders
Glandular ‘trichomes’ on stems and leaves can produce toxins or even sticky stuff to prevent predators

21. Vascular Tissue – 2 types
Xylem
Transports water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the leaves.
Elongated cells joined to make tubes
Grow a thick cell wall then die – means there is great support and no cytoplasm in the way to impede transport
Wood is actually old, non-transporting xylem cells

22. Vascular Tissue Phloem
Transports products of photosynthesis, a sugar solution, around the plant. (up and down)
Elongated cell like tubes remain alive at maturity
Bark is old, non-transporting phloem cells

23. Xylem and Phloem

24. Ground Tissue “The Filler”
Located between the dermal and vascular tissue.
Perform a variety of functions:
Photosynthesis
Food and water storage
Structural support

25. Your Task
Read pages 129 – 133
Answer Questions #1 - 6