Plant Adaptations!

Changes over time…

Common Adaptations in Plants

• 1. CELLULOSE– Most cell walls have cellulose– Cellulose – makes the cell wall thick and offers

protection and support to the plant– What makes the plants we eat “crunchy”

Cellulose

ROOTS

• Very commonly found in plants

• Part of the plants that enter into the dirt

• Take in water and nutrients for the plant

Roots, roots, and more roots

Roots Galore!!

Types of Roots

Stems

• Provide structural support so plants can grow upright

• Have tissues for food and water transport– The more complicated these tissues are the bigger

and more complicated the plant• May also serve as a storage space for sugars

and nutrients

Stems

The secret to the flow of water and nutrients of plants lies here in the stems!!!!

Leaves•Broad Flat Structures on a plant

LeavesTraps the light so that it can be used for photosynthesis

Come in many different shapes and sizes!!

Waxy Cuticle

• Water proof coating found on the stems and leaves of some plants

• May also be found on the fruits of some plants

Waxy cuticle (cont)

• The job of the cuticle is to prevent water from leaving the plant and going into the atmosphere.

Two Groups

• These adaptations help us determine how to classify the plants

Vascular vs. Non-Vascular

• These two groups vascular and non-vascular plants have distinct differences.

• You are probably most familiar with the vascular plants.

Non-Vascular Plants

• Less common of the two groups

• Typically found in moist or watery environments

• Smaller plants• Less structure• Get Water and nutrients

through diffusions and osmosis

• Ex: Mosses and LiverwortsCushion Moss

Liverworts

Sphagnum Moss – Use to be used as a bandage to soak on blood and help heal wounds!!!

Vascular Plants

• Have “Vascular Tissue”• Tube like structures for passing

water and nutrients up to the leaves

Examples of Vascular Tissue:– Xylem and Phloem– Bark – Stems

These little holes and pores is what the water and nutrients travel through to the leaves

Vascular Plants (cont)

Most of the Produce Seeds• Ex:

– Trees– Flowering Plants– Ferns– Horsetails– Fruit Producing Plants

Vascular Plants

Typically they are taller plants