Plant Classification and Structure

Plant Classification

• Kingdom Plantae: includes all plants, from tiny microorganisms to giant trees
• Divided into 12 major groups, including:
  1. Bryophyta (mosses)
  2. Marchantiophyta (liverworts)
  3. Anthocerotophyta (hornworts)
  4. Pteridophyta (ferns)
  5. Gymnospermae (conifers)
  6. Angiospermae (flowering plants)

Plant Structure

• Roots: underground structures that absorb water and nutrients
  • Types: taproot, fibrous root, adventitious root
• Stems: above-ground structures that support leaves and transport materials
  • Types: herbaceous, woody, succulent
• Leaves: organs that carry out photosynthesis
  • Types: simple, compound, needle-like, scale-like
• Flowers: reproductive structures that produce seeds
  • Types: complete, incomplete, perfect, imperfect

Plant Functions

• Photosynthesis: process by which plants produce glucose from sunlight, water, and CO2
• Respiration: process by which plants break down glucose to produce energy
• Transpiration: process by which plants release water vapor into the air
• Nutrient uptake: process by which plants absorb nutrients from the soil

Plant Growth and Development

• Seed germination: process by which a seed begins to grow
• Cell growth and division: process by which plants increase in size
• Differentiation: process by which cells become specialized to perform specific functions
• Hormone regulation: process by which hormones control plant growth and development

Plant Responses

• Phototropism: growth response to light
• Geotropism: growth response to gravity
• Thigmotropism: growth response to touch
• Hydrotropism: growth response to water

Plant Ecology

• Terrestrial ecosystems: forests, grasslands, deserts, etc.
• Freshwater ecosystems: rivers, lakes, wetlands, etc.
• Marine ecosystems: coral reefs, kelp forests, estuaries, etc.
• Plant-animal interactions: mutualism, commensalism, parasitism, predation

Plant Classification

• Kingdom Plantae consists of diverse plants, from tiny microorganisms to giant trees
• 12 major groups of plants include Bryophyta (mosses), Marchantiophyta (liverworts), Anthocerotophyta (hornworts), Pteridophyta (ferns), Gymnospermae (conifers), and Angiospermae (flowering plants)

Plant Structure

• Roots are underground structures that absorb water and nutrients, with types including taproot, fibrous root, and adventitious root
• Stems are above-ground structures that support leaves and transport materials, with types including herbaceous, woody, and succulent
• Leaves are organs that carry out photosynthesis, with types including simple, compound, needle-like, and scale-like
• Flowers are reproductive structures that produce seeds, with types including complete, incomplete, perfect, and imperfect

Plant Functions

• Photosynthesis produces glucose from sunlight, water, and CO2
• Respiration breaks down glucose to produce energy
• Transpiration releases water vapor into the air
• Nutrient uptake absorbs nutrients from the soil

Plant Growth and Development

• Seed germination begins with seed growth
• Cell growth and division increase plant size
• Differentiation specializes cells to perform specific functions
• Hormone regulation controls plant growth and development

Plant Responses

• Phototropism is a growth response to light
• Geotropism is a growth response to gravity
• Thigmotropism is a growth response to touch
• Hydrotropism is a growth response to water

Plant Ecology

• Terrestrial ecosystems include forests, grasslands, and deserts
• Freshwater ecosystems include rivers, lakes, and wetlands
• Marine ecosystems include coral reefs, kelp forests, and estuaries
• Plant-animal interactions include mutualism, commensalism, parasitism, and predation