Rants about

PLANTS

Parts of a Plant

• Flower: seed bearing structure

• Leaves: photosynthetic organ that contains vascular tissue

• Stem: supporting structure that carries water and nutrients between the roots and leaves

• Roots: underground organ that absorbs water

Reproductive Parts of a Plant• Petals: brightly colored

structure that attracts insects and other pollinators

• Stigma: sticky portion at the top of the pistol that traps pollen

• Pistol: narrow stalk that the pollen travels through

• Ovary: contains egg cells, where fertilization takes place. (seed)

Reproductive Parts of a Plant

• Anther: makes pollen (sperm)

• Stamen: provides support of anther

• Sepals: encloses a bud before it opens and protects the flower while it is developing

Stomata and Guard Cells• Guard Cell: specialized cell that

controls the opening and closing of stomata by responding to changes in water pressure

• Stoma: small pores on the underside of a leaf that regulates gas exchange:– Absorbs CO₂ in

photosynthesis– Releases O₂ and H₂O in

transpiration

6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy ------> C6H12O6 + 6O2

Xylem and Phloem

• Xylem: transport of water from roots to remainder of plant

• Phloem: transport of food and nutrients from leaves to remainder of plant

Geotropism or Gravitropism

• The growth of plants in response to gravity– Roots grow downward, stem grows upward

Phototropism

• The movement of a plant towards or away from light

Hydrotropism

• The movement of a plant towards or away from water

Thigmotropism

• directional response of a plant organ to touch or physical contact with a solid object*Example: Vines growing on a trellis

Other Need to Know Vocab

• Pollination: transfer of pollen from the male reproductive structure to the female reproductive structure

• Growth: period of time when the plant embryo is growing

• Dormancy: period of time when the plant embryo is alive, but not growing

Angiosperm vs. GymnospermANGIOSPERM

• flowering plants

• seeds are enclosed in a fruit

• most are pollinated by birds & bees

• Examples: grasses, tulips, oaks, dandelions

• Divided into two main groups: Monocots & Dicots

GYMNOSPERM• cone bearing plants

(seeds grow on cones) "naked seeds“

• wind pollinated

• needle like leaves

• Examples: pine trees & evergreens

Two Types of Angiosperms

MONOCOT• Angiosperms that have 1

seed leaf (cotyledon)

• Parallel veins on leaves

• 3 part symmetry for flowers

• Fibrous roots

• Example: lilies, onions, corn, grasses, wheat

DICOT• Angiosperms that have 2

seed leaves (cotyledons)

• Net-like veins on leaves

• Flowers have 4-5 parts

• Taproots

• Examples: trees and ornamental flowers