Characteristics of Plants and Plant Life

Characteristics of Plants

• Autotrophic organisms: produce their own food through photosynthesis
• Eukaryotic cells: have membrane-bound organelles
• Multicellular: composed of multiple cells
• Non-motile: stationary organisms

Types of Plant Life

• Bryophytes: non-vascular plants (e.g., mosses, liverworts)
  • Lack true leaves, stems, and roots
  • Rely on external water for reproduction
• Pteridophytes: vascular plants (e.g., ferns, horsetails)
  • Have true leaves, stems, and roots
  • Use vascular tissues for transport
• Gymnosperms: seed-producing plants (e.g., conifers, cycads)
  • Produce seeds, but not flowers or fruits
  • Have cones for reproduction
• Angiosperms: flowering plants (e.g., roses, grasses, trees)
  • Produce flowers, fruits, and seeds
  • Most diverse group of plants

Plant Structure

• Roots: underground structures for absorption and anchorage
• Stems: above-ground structures for support and transport
• Leaves: organs for photosynthesis
• Flowers: reproductive structures
• Fruits: mature ovary walls containing seeds

Plant Functions

• Photosynthesis: process of converting light energy into chemical energy
• Transpiration: process of water transport and evaporation
• Respiration: process of energy release from glucose
• Nutrient uptake: absorption of essential nutrients from soil

Plant Responses

• Tropisms: growth responses to environmental stimuli (e.g., light, gravity)
• Nastic movements: non-directional responses to stimuli (e.g., opening/closing of flowers)
• Hormone regulation: control of growth and development through hormone signals

Characteristics of Plants

• Plants are autotrophic, producing their own food through photosynthesis
• They have eukaryotic cells, featuring membrane-bound organelles
• Plants are multicellular, composed of multiple cells
• They are non-motile, stationary organisms

Types of Plant Life

• Bryophytes are non-vascular plants, lacking true leaves, stems, and roots
• They rely on external water for reproduction and include mosses and liverworts
• Pteridophytes are vascular plants, featuring true leaves, stems, and roots
• They use vascular tissues for transport and include ferns and horsetails
• Gymnosperms are seed-producing plants, but not flowering plants
• They have cones for reproduction and include conifers and cycads
• Angiosperms are flowering plants, producing flowers, fruits, and seeds
• They are the most diverse group of plants, including roses, grasses, and trees

Plant Structure

• Roots are underground structures for absorption and anchorage
• Stems are above-ground structures providing support and transport
• Leaves are organs for photosynthesis
• Flowers are reproductive structures
• Fruits are mature ovary walls containing seeds

Plant Functions

• Photosynthesis is the process of converting light energy into chemical energy
• Transpiration is the process of water transport and evaporation
• Respiration is the process of energy release from glucose
• Nutrient uptake involves the absorption of essential nutrients from soil

Plant Responses

• Tropisms are growth responses to environmental stimuli, such as light and gravity
• Nastic movements are non-directional responses to stimuli, like opening/closing of flowers
• Hormone regulation controls growth and development through hormone signals