1. Plants: Uses, Forms and Function
Unit 5
Plants: Uses, Forms and Function

2. Learning Goal
To learn more about how plants are a valuable bioresource
To learn in more detail the vascular body of plants

3. Section 13.1
Plants as a valuable bioresource

4. Introduction
Almost everything we do everyday is achieved through the existence of plants
Plants provide us with food, clothing, shelter, medicine, and most importantly fresh oxygen to breathe with

5. Biosphere depends on Plants
Plants are essential to the health and function of the biosphere
The biosphere is defined as the sum of all ecosystems ON Earth, including the part of the earth that is capable of supporting life, living things and their environment

6. Photosynthesis Photosynthesis occurs in plants,
some bacteria, and protests
They use light energy from the sun with water and carbon dioxide and convert these “reactants” into glucose and oxygen
Glucose is the food that supplies plants and its consumers with energy to function
Oxygen in the by product of plants that we use for cellular respiration (process of making our own energy)

7. Plants contain Cellulose
Cellulose is a large complex carbohydrate that is the main component of cell walls in plants
Cellulose is used to make fabrics (cotton), paper, cardboard, and even biofuels

8. Plants are a source of food
For centuries plants have been a primary source of food fro humans through the use of agriculture
Agriculture – is the process of farming or forestry practices that produce food and goods
Humans use about 150 to edible plant species on earth, where 60% of the average human diet reflects the consumption of plants

9. Agriculture in Canadian Society
The agricultural industry provides many Canadians with jobs (1 in 7 jobs in Canada)
Where the agriculture and food industry accounts for 10% of Canada’s GDP, as products are exported to countries all around the world

10. Agriculture in Canadian Society
In addition to maple syrup, there’s lots of other products that produce food within Canada & worldwide

11. Food Security Defined – the state where all people at all times have
enough safe and nutritious
food to meet their dietary needs
Scientists predict that by 2050 the world population will have
reached 9 billion people
With the expanding population
and limited resources, food security is a critical issue we are facing in order to save whatever future lies ahead

13. Monocultures Pros Cons
In effort to reduce food insecurity, an agricultural technique of growing one specific product well in one area has proven effective with increased crop yields
This method is does have pros and cons to it:
Pros
Cons
Increased crop yields
Easier to care for
Requires same fertilizer, pesticides, and treatment to improve the quality and quantity of the crop
More susceptible to diseases and pests
Depletes soil of nutrients with time
Lower quality of ground water nearby due to run off of fertilizers and pesticides

14. Sustainable Agriculture
Many scientists, farmers, consumers, and governments are using sustainable agriculture as a method to meet the food needs of the present without compromising future generations
Sustainable Agriculture: integrates economic, environmental, and social means to meet the nutritional needs of the world

15. Sustainable Agriculture

16. Plants Uses
In addition to being used as Timber supplies in building materials, plant fibres are also used to make many textiles, as you can see below:

17. Plants Uses Biochemical Uses Source of Fuel Erosion Control Recreation
Ecotourism
Use chemicals to attract pollinators or repel threats
Traditional Uses: perfume, dyes, medicine
Aboriginal peoples use plants for medicinal purposes
Pharmaceutical companies testing new plant extracts for treatments
Canada is a leader in production of Biofuel (fuels produced from renewable biological sources like crops)
Help reduce global warming as they release greenhouse gases
Soil erosion occurs when wind and water remove the top layer of soils (where all the nutrients are found)
Certain Plants’ roots work to hold onto the topsoil better
Also act as a barrier to flooding and weathering by absorbing excess water
Many Canadian natural environments are used for recreation – like camping, hiking, boating, cycling, etc.
Allow us to get our exercise in, learn more about nature, and relax
Tourist come to visit Canada for its landscapes, which include plants
Many attributes in various provinces
Which ones have you visited and learned more about?

19. Complete the STSE Activity
Read “Could Canada rely on biomass to meet energy needs” (p. 542)
Complete Questions 1 (PMI = Plus/Minuses/ Interesting Facts) to 3
Hand in work to be evaluated
PMI = Plus (what would be the good things about this situation), Minuses (what are some negative things about topic), Interesting Facts (or other obstacles and consequences) about this of the topic

20. Section 13.2
The Vascular Plant Body

21. Introduction
Like animals, plants are made up of specialized cells that are organized into tissues that are then organized into systems of organs
There are many parts, roles, and functions of plant tissues that work within these systems that allow plants to survive

22. Introduction
Recall from Unit 1 that plants are classified into 2 main groups
Vascular Plants – those that have vascular tissues
Have an intricate system and the plant can move water to distribute it to the whole plant. Vascular plants are able to grow bigger due to this ability. Ex: Trees, flowers 
Non-Vascular Plants – those that do not have vascular tissues
Nonvascular plants are usually small plants that are close to the ground. Ex: moss 

23. Vascular Plant Systems
As previously discussed, these plants have 2 organ systems
An Above Ground Shoot System made up of the stem and leaves
An Underground Root System made up of the roots of the plant

24. Plant Cells
Recall from Gr. 10 Science – structures of a typical plant cells

25. Plant Cells
While you have learned the basic plant cell structures and functions, there are actually different types of plant cells
Parenchyma cells
Collenchyma cells
Sclerenchyma cells

26. Plant Tissue Lab
Alternative:

27. Plant Tissues – 4 Main Types
Meristematic Tissue
Consists of undifferentiated embryonic plant tissue where other all plant tissues develop from through Mitosis
Are located in the following places
near tips of roots and stems (called apical meristems)
in the buds and nodes of stems.
in the cambium between the xylem and phloem in dicotyledonous trees and shrubs.
under the epidermis of dicotyledonous trees and shrubs (cork cambium)
in the pericycle of roots, producing branch roots.

28. Plant Tissues – 4 Main Types
Meristematic Tissue
The constant cell division in these regions is why these areas grow in size and length
There are 2 kinds of meristems that exist:
Primary meristem found in tissue of the embryo and continues to exist in the plant organ in which it rose.
The primary meristem found at the tips of stems or roots is called the apical meristem (responsible for increase in length as it gives rise to the first or primary permanent tissues)
In flowering plants, meristems develop from cells that suspend their ability to divide, and resume this activity later. Such meristems are known as secondary meristems. These cells give rise to permanent secondary tissues

29. Plant Tissues – 4 Main Types
Dermal Tissue
Is the outer covering of the plant that forms a protective covering; including the Epidermis & Periderm

30. Plant Tissues – 4 Main Types
2. Specialized Epidermal Tissues
Name of Tissue
Function
Guard Cells
Found in the plant cell epidermis that regulate the opening and closing of the stomata
Stomata – a small opening pores in the leaf that lets gas exchange (CO2 / O2) to occur
Trichomes
Extensions of epidermal cells found on stems, and leaves of plants to help reduce water loss
Make the plant look “fuzzy”
Root Hairs
Fine hair-like structures that cover the surface of the root of the plant
Increase surface area for Gas Exchange

31. Plant Tissues – 4 Main Types
Ground Tissue
Makes up most of the plant’s internal and external materials
Contains parenchyma cells, collenchyma cells, and sclerenchyma cells
Functions include photosynthesis, storage
Also provide support for the plant when it grows other types of tissue

32. Plant Tissues – 4 Main Types
Vascular Tissue
Is the internal system of tubes that run vertical throughout the stem of the plant, connecting the roots and leaves
Main function is to TRANSPORT water and nutrients throughout the plant
There are 2 types of vascular tissue
Xylem – transports water and minerals FROM the roots to the leaves
Phloem – transports nutrients like sugar to where needed for metabolism and storage
Lab:

33. Plant Tissues – 4 Main Types
(Resource)

34. Plant Tissues – Summary
Cell Types
Function
Locations
Meristematic
tissue
Parenchyma
Divide to produce new growth
Tips of shoots
Tips of roots
In buds
In a ring around the stem in woody plants
Dermal
Protect plant tissues and prevent water loss
Outer layer of stems, roots, and leaves
Ground
Parenchyma Collenchyma Sclerenchyma
Makes up bulk of plant mass
Stems, roots, leaves
Vascular
Xylem is made up of vessels and tracheids
Phloem is made up of sieve cells and companion cells
Xylem transports water
Phloem transports sugars
In stems, leaves, and roots

35. Consolidate your learning!
Complete the worksheets provided to you