Forms of Plants

Forms of Plants

• Herbaceous plants: non-woody plants, die back to the ground at the end of the growing season
  • Examples: grasses, herbs, vegetables
• Woody plants: plants with a permanent woody stem, survive winter as dormant buds
  • Examples: trees, shrubs, vines
• Succulents: plants with thick, fleshy leaves that store water
  • Examples: cacti, aloe, echeveria
• Epiphytes: plants that grow on other plants, but not parasitic
  • Examples: orchids, bromeliads, air plants

Functions of Plants

• Photosynthesis: process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy
  • Occurs in chloroplasts, requires water, carbon dioxide, and light
• Respiration: process by which plants break down glucose to produce energy
  • Occurs in mitochondria, produces carbon dioxide and water as byproducts
• Transpiration: process by which plants transport water and minerals from roots to leaves
  • Occurs through xylem vessels, regulated by stomata
• Support and Structure: plants provide support and structure through their stems, roots, and leaves
  • Examples: trees provide shelter, herbs provide medicine, grasses provide food

Plant Organs

• Roots: underground organs that absorb water and minerals
  • Functions: anchorage, absorption, storage
• Stems: above-ground organs that support leaves and transport materials
  • Functions: support, transportation, storage
• Leaves: organs that carry out photosynthesis
  • Functions: photosynthesis, transpiration, storage

Plant Tissues

• Dermal tissue: outermost layer of plant, provides protection and regulation
  • Functions: protection, regulation of water loss
• Ground tissue: inner tissue that provides support and storage
  • Functions: support, storage, synthesis
• Vascular tissue: tissue that transports water, minerals, and sugars
  • Functions: transportation, support

Forms of Plants

• Herbaceous plants are non-woody, die back to the ground at the end of the growing season, and include examples like grasses, herbs, and vegetables.
• Woody plants have a permanent woody stem, survive winter as dormant buds, and include examples like trees, shrubs, and vines.
• Succulents have thick, fleshy leaves that store water, and include examples like cacti, aloe, and echeveria.
• Epiphytes grow on other plants, but are not parasitic, and include examples like orchids, bromeliads, and air plants.

Plant Processes

• Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, occurring in chloroplasts and requiring water, carbon dioxide, and light.
• Respiration is the process by which plants break down glucose to produce energy, occurring in mitochondria and producing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts.
• Transpiration is the process by which plants transport water and minerals from roots to leaves, occurring through xylem vessels and regulated by stomata.

Plant Organs

• Roots are underground organs that absorb water and minerals, providing anchorage, absorption, and storage.
• Stems are above-ground organs that support leaves and transport materials, providing support, transportation, and storage.
• Leaves are organs that carry out photosynthesis, providing photosynthesis, transpiration, and storage.

Plant Tissues

• Dermal tissue is the outermost layer of plant, providing protection and regulation of water loss.
• Ground tissue is the inner tissue that provides support and storage, synthesizing new compounds.
• Vascular tissue transports water, minerals, and sugars, providing transportation and support.

Body Fluids

• There are two main types of body fluids: intracellular fluid (ICF) and extracellular fluid (ECF)
• ICF is fluid within cells, while ECF is fluid outside cells
• ECF is further divided into:
  • Interstitial fluid (between cells and tissues)
  • Blood plasma (fluid portion of blood)
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (surrounding the brain and spinal cord)
  • Synovial fluid (in joints and tendons)
  • Aqueous humor (in the eye)
  • Endolymph and perilymph (in the inner ear)
• Body fluids regulate body temperature, transport nutrients and oxygen, and maintain pH and electrolyte balance
• They also lubricate joints and other tissues and support immune function

Circulation

• The circulatory system consists of the heart, arteries, veins, capillaries, and blood
• The heart pumps blood throughout the body
• Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, while veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart
• Capillaries are tiny blood vessels where oxygen and nutrients are exchanged with tissues
• Blood is a fluid tissue that transports oxygen, nutrients, and waste products
• There are two main circuits in blood circulation: pulmonary and systemic
• Pulmonary circulation involves oxygen-depleted blood from the body to the heart to the lungs and back to the heart as oxygen-rich blood
• Systemic circulation involves oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body tissues and back to the heart as oxygen-depleted blood
• Blood pressure is regulated by the autonomic nervous system, baroreceptors, and hormones
• Systolic pressure is the pressure during heart contraction, while diastolic pressure is the pressure during heart relaxation

Blood Composition

• Blood is composed of plasma (55% of blood volume) and formed elements (45% of blood volume)
• Plasma contains water, proteins, nutrients, waste products, and hormones
• Formed elements include red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets
• RBCs carry oxygen, WBCs are part of the immune system, and platelets are involved in blood clotting
• Blood types are determined by the ABO system, Rh factor, and other antigens, which determine blood compatibility