A Natural History of Plants
Life and Levels
Plants and the 8 Characteristics
Cells - eukaryotic (nucleus) with chloroplasts and cellulose cell wall
DNA - universal instructions for life that are inherited
Energy - autotroph/producer using photosynthesis
Grow and Develop - single cells get larger and specialize in functions
Homeostasis - materials are transported in/out of cells, chemicals produced
Respond - ...to sunlight, gravity, touch, infections, parasites
Reproduce - asexual and sexual
Adapt/Evolve - change over time
1. Cells - Prokaryotic Bacteria (Archaebacteria and Eubacteria)
2. Photosynthesis - CYANOBACTERIA
3. Nucleus & Chloroplasts - Endosymbiosis leads to complex eukaryotes
a. Kingdom Protista (Brown/Red algae)
b. Kingdom Plantae (Green algae and plants) - specialized tissues
4. Cellulose Cell Wall - regulates water loss
- Anthocerotophyta (Hornworts) and Hepaticophyta (Liverworts) are simple, live in moist environments
- reproduce with “spores”
5. Vascular Tissue - TRACHEOPHYTES - transport water and materials
- Bryophytes (mosses) with simple structures
- reproduce with “spores”
6. Roots - specialized anchors that absorb water/nutrients
- Pterophytes (ferns and club mosses)
- reproduce with “spores”
7. Seeds - specialized reproductive structures of reproductive cells which can self-sustain
- Gingkophyta (gingko) and Gnetophyta (cycads) - "fleshy fruit"
- Gymnosperms - "Naked seeds" - conifers
8. Flowers and Seeds with a protective coat - Angiosperms
- monocots and dicots
- other key differences in growth patterns, root/stem/leaf/flower anatomy
Plants and the Organization into Levels
Chemicals - water, CO2, oxygen, minerals, chlorophyll, carbohydrates (cellulose)
Cells - specialized structures with nucleus, cellulose wall, chloroplasts
Tissues - vascular (tubes), epidermal (bark), meristem (growth)
Organs - roots, stems, leaves, flowers
Organ Systems - roots and stems
Organisms - a plant
Populations - plants that interbreed within an area
Community/Ecosystem/Biosphere