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Getting to Know Plants System: Definition, Anatomy, Types

Getting to Know Plants refers to understanding various aspects of plants, including their structure, growth patterns, and ecological roles.
authorImageJasdeep Bhatia18 Jun, 2024
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Getting to Know Plants System

Getting to Know Plants System: Plants are more than greens and flowers; they are the superheroes of the botanical world! Imagine turning sunlight into energy, providing the air we breathe, and feeding entire ecosystems. That's exactly what plants do every day.

Did you know  that certain plants can move? That's accurate; the sensitive plant moves its leaves in response to contact, while its sundew traps insects with sticky hairs for food. Join the fun and walk on the wild side with the incredible world of plants! Get ready to be amazed and discover why plants are truly the unsung heroes of our planet.

Genetically Modified Organisms Ethical Issues

Definition of Plants

Plants are the masterminds of the botanical world, transforming sunshine and soil into a symphony of colours, scents, and shapes. They are nature's architects, building towering trees and sprawling landscapes with a single goal: survival. With the ability to breathe life into the planet, plants are more than just green and growing things. They are the backbone of our ecosystems, providing us with the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the beauty surrounding us.

Genetic Drift

Herbs, Shrubs, and Trees: The Dynamic Trio of the Plant Kingdom

Herbs:

  • Herbs are small, non-woody plants that typically have a delicate, tender appearance. They are often used for medicinal, culinary, or ornamental purposes and are prized for their delicate scents, flavorful leaves, and colourful flowers.
  • Examples:  Basil, Mint, Rosemary, and Chamomile.

Shrubs:

  • Shrubs are larger, woody plants with a more substantial structure than herbs. They are often used as landscaping plants, providing visual interest and providing habitats for wildlife.
  • Examples: Hydrangea, Lilac, and Rose.

Trees:

  • Trees are the tallest and most massive members of the plant kingdom, with a towering presence that often defines the landscape.
  • Examples: Oak, Maple and Sequoia.

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Anatomy of Plant

Root System

The root system is the underground network of a plant that supports and nourishes plants and is responsible for anchoring the plants. Many different types of root systems have evolved in plants, each with unique adaptations to different soils, moisture conditions, and environmental challenges. They are as follows:
  1. Taproot
  2. Fibrous root
  3. Adventitious roots
  4. Contractile roots
  5. Parasitic roots

Genetic Code

Taproot:
  • The taproot is a single, deep root that grows vertically downward from the base of the plant. Taproots are common in trees and large shrubs and are well adapted to reaching deep into the soil to access water and nutrients.
  • Examples: Carrot, Beet, Radish, Parsnip.
Fibrous root:
  • Fibrous roots are a network of thin, branching roots that grow horizontally in the soil. Fibrous roots are common in grasses and other herbaceous plants and are well adapted to absorbing water and nutrients from shallow soils.
  • Examples: Corn, Wheat, and Oats.
Adventitious roots:
  • Adventitious roots are roots that develop from the plant's stems, leaves, or other aerial parts. Adventitious roots can help the plant to anchor itself in the soil or to absorb moisture and nutrients from the air.
  • Some epiphytic plants, such as orchids and bromeliads, have specialised adventitious roots that help them anchor themselves to tree trunks and branches.
Contractile roots :
  • Contractile roots can pull the plant into the soil, providing extra anchorage and stability. Contractile roots are common in bulb plants such as tulips and daffodils.
  • Bulb plants, such as daffodils and tulips, have contractile roots that help them pull deeper into the soil for stability and protection.
Parasitic roots:
  • Parasitic roots tap into other plants' root systems to absorb water and nutrients. Parasitic roots are common in plants such as mistletoe and dodder, which cannot produce chlorophyll and thus cannot photosynthesise their food.
  • Mistletoe is a classic example of a parasitic plant that uses its roots to tap into the root systems of other plants to absorb water and nutrients. Other examples of parasitic plants include dodder, broomrape, and yellow rattle.

Gene Flow

Stem System

The stem system of a plant is a complex network of tissues that serves several key functions, including supporting the plant, transporting water and nutrients, and producing leaves, flowers, and fruits. There are many stems, each with unique adaptations to different growth habits, environments, and ecological niches. Herbaceous stems:
  • Herbaceous stems are soft and flexible and typically found in annual and perennial plants that die back to the ground yearly. Herbaceous stems are often succulent and are important in water storage and nutrient uptake.
  • Examples of herbaceous stems include lettuce, spinach, and other leafy greens.
Woody stems:
  • Woody stems are tough and woody and are typically found in trees and shrubs. They are well adapted to supporting the plant in upright growth and provide mechanical stability and protection against herbivores and environmental stress.
  • Examples of woody stems include the trunks of oak trees, maple trees, and other deciduous and coniferous trees.
Aerial stems:
  • Aerial stems grow above the ground, and are often specialised for photosynthesis, reproduction, or water transport.
  • Examples of aerial stems include the stems of cacti and succulents, such as the prickly pear cactus and the jade plant, and the stems of climbing plants, such as ivy and wisteria.
Underground stems:
  • Underground stems grow below the ground and are often specialised for energy storage and nutrient uptake.
  • Examples of underground stems include the bulbs of daffodils and tulips, the rhizomes of irises and bamboo, and the tubers of potatoes and yams.

Genetic Code Codons Amino Acids

Flowering System

The flowering system is the reproductive system of plants and is responsible for producing seeds and ensuring the continuation of the species. Flowers are complex structures designed to attract pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and protect and nourish the developing seeds and fruits. Flowers are typically composed of several parts, including
  1. Sepals
  2. Petals
  3. Stamens
  4. Pistil.
Sepals: The sepals are the outermost part of the flower and protect the delicate petals and reproductive structures. Sepals are typically green and leaf-like in appearance. Petals: The petals are the most conspicuous part of the flower, and are often brightly coloured and fragrant to attract pollinators. Petals are typically arranged in a specific pattern, such as a spiral or concentric ring, to maximise the exposure of the reproductive structures to pollinators. Stamens: The stamens are the flower's male reproductive structures, consisting of a filament and an anther. The anther produces pollen, which is transferred to the pistil's stigma during pollination. Pistil: The pistil is the female reproductive structure of the flower, and consists of a stigma, style, and ovary. The stigma receives the pollen during pollination, and the style connects the stigma to the ovary, where the seeds develop.

Effects of Air Pollution on Plants

Leaves System

Leaves are the primary photosynthetic organs of plants, responsible for producing the energy the plant needs to grow and thrive. Leaves are typically flat and have a large surface area to maximise the amount of sunlight they can capture, and they are attached to the stem via a petiole. The arrangement of leaves on a stem is known as the leaf arrangement. There are several different types of leaf arrangements, including Alternate: Leaves are arranged alternately along the stem, with one leaf per node. Example: Maple tree. Opposite: Leaves are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the stem, with two leaves per node. Example: Tomato plant. Whorled: Leaves are arranged in a spiral around the stem, with three or more leaves per node. Example: Milkweed plant. Rosulate: Leaves are crowded together in a rosette at the base of the stem. Example: Dandelion.

Gibberellins in Plants

Fruit System

The fruit is the final stage of the reproductive system of plants and serves to protect and disperse the seeds. Fruits are formed from the flower's ovary, can be fleshy or dry, and can be simple or complex in structure. Fleshy fruits: Fleshy fruits are soft, juicy, and usually sweet or tart. They are typically eaten by animals, which then disperse the seeds in their droppings. Examples of fleshy fruits include apples, bananas, berries, and tomatoes. Dry fruits: Dry fruits are hard and contain dry seeds. They do not offer a food reward but instead rely on wind or animals for dispersal. Examples of dry fruits include acorns, chestnuts, and beans. Simple fruits: Simple fruits are formed from a single ovary and contain seeds from one flower. Examples of simple fruits include berries, cherries, and grapes. Aggregate fruits: Aggregate fruits are formed from multiple flowers and contain many seeds. Examples of aggregate fruits include blackberries and raspberries. Multiple fruits: Multiple fruits are formed from the ovaries of many flowers and contain many seeds. Examples of multiple fruits include pineapples and mulberries.

Types of Plants

The plant kingdom is incredibly diverse, with an estimated 390,900 species of flowering plants, ferns, mosses, and other green organisms. These species can be classified into several categories based on their characteristics and adaptations. Bryophytes: Bryophytes are the simplest of all land plants, and include mosses and liverworts. They are small, non-vascular plants that rely on moist environments for survival. Example: Sphagnum moss. Ferns: Ferns are vascular plants that reproduce via spores or spores, and do not produce seeds or flowers. They are commonly found in moist, shady environments. Example: Maidenhair fern. Conifers: Conifers are cone-bearing vascular plants that produce seeds. They are well adapted to cold climates and are often evergreen. Example: Pine tree. Angiosperms: Angiosperms are flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed in a fruit. They are the most diverse group of plants, with over 250,000 species. Examples: Rose, daisy, sunflower. Cacti : Cacti are succulent plants that have adapted to arid environments. They have specialised structures for water storage and conserve water by having reduced leaves or none. Example: Saguaro cactus.

Photosynthesis and Energy Production

Photosynthesis is the process that transforms sunlight into the fuel that powers the plant kingdom. The chloroplasts within the plant cells act as tiny power plants, taking in carbon dioxide and water and using the energy from sunlight to turn it into glucose, a type of sugar. This glucose is then stored in the plant's tissues, providing the energy needed to grow, flower, and produce fruit. This process also releases oxygen as a byproduct. A partnership between the sun, air, and water creates a continuous life cycle, providing energy and sustenance for the entire ecosystem.

What is the main function of plants?

The main function of plants is to perform photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy that they use as food.

What is the difference between monocots and dicots?

Monocots are flowering plants with one seed leaf, while dicots have two. Monocots also typically have more uniform, parallel-veined leaves, while dicots have net-veined leaves.

How do plants adapt to their environment?

Plants adapt to their environment by developing specialized structures and adaptations, such as deep roots for water and nutrient absorption, thorns for herbivores' protection, and leaves optimised for capturing light energy.

How do plants reproduce?

     Most plants reproduce sexually by producing flowers that produce seeds. Some plants can also reproduce asexually through methods   such as vegetative reproduction, budding, and fragmentation.
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