Characteristics of Plants and Seeds

Plant Structure and Function

• Plants have two types of vascular tissues: xylem and phloem, which conduct water, minerals, sugars, and other organic nutrients throughout the plant.

Cell Division in Plants

• Plant cells divide by mitosis, a process that results in two genetically identical daughter cells.
• Plant cells also divide by cytokinesis, which divides the cytoplasm of the cell into two.

Transportation of Fluids in Plants

• Roots absorb water and nutrients from the soil through osmosis.
• Water moves through vascular tubes by capillary action and transpiration.
• Transpiration is the loss of water through stomata.
• Translocation is the movement of fluid containing sugar produced by photosynthesis from leaves to other tissues throughout the plant.

Photosynthesis

• Absorption of light is the first step in photosynthesis.
• Chloroplasts capture light energy.
• Water and carbon dioxide are used in photosynthesis to produce glucose and oxygen.

Characteristics of Plants

• Plants vary in size and shape.
• All plants are multicellular.
• All plants are made of tissues and organs.
• All plant cells have cell walls.
• All plant parts that are green contain chlorophyll.

Seeds

• A seed is a structure that contains a plant embryo and a supply of food inside a protective seed coat.
• Seeds can survive harsh conditions like freezing temperatures and drought.
• Germination is the process of a seed growing into a young plant.
• Seeds will not germinate until environmental conditions are suitable.

Dormant and Active Life of Plants

• Most plants have a rhythmic seasonal activity characterized by alternating active and slow life.
• During the slow life, plants have a better resistance to unfavorable environmental conditions.
• Plants seem to be inactive, their growth stops, and their respiratory activity decreases.

Parts of the Plant

• The plant is made up of three main parts: roots, stems, and leaves.
• Roots anchor the plant and take in water and nutrients.
• Stems support the body of the plant and carry water and nutrients from the roots to other parts of the plant.
• Leaves are the organs that use sunlight to make food during photosynthesis.

Requirements for Growing Plants

• Plants need room to grow.
• Temperature should be between 15°C and 25°C.
• Plants need light, preferably strong light, for 7-12 hours a day.
• Plants need water, but should not be overwatered.
• Plants need air.
• Plants need nutrients, specifically nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Photosynthesis (Detailed)

• Photosynthesis is the process by which a plant cell uses sunlight to make food.
• Plants take water from the ground through their roots and carbon dioxide from the air.
• Chlorophyll captures the energy from the sun.
• Plants use sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and glucose.
• Oxygen is used by all organisms to breathe.
• Plants use the food they produced by photosynthesis for energy and as a building block for growing.