Plants Biology Final Exam

Function & Structure of Leaves

Photosynthesis, gas exchange, and water regulation.

Function & Structure of Stems

Support, transport of water and nutrients, and storage.

Function & Structure of Roots

Anchor plant, absorb water and nutrients, and store food.

Function & Structure of Seeds

Contain embryo, provide food storage, and aid reproduction.

Specialization of Leaves

Leaves may have adaptations like thick cuticles (desert plants) or broad surfaces (rainforest plants).

Specialization of Stems

Stems may be woody (trees) or herbaceous (grasses).

Specialization of Roots

Roots include taproots (carrots) and fibrous roots (grass).

Specialization of Seeds

Seeds can be adapted for wind, animal, or water dispersal.

Transport in Plants - Transpiration

Transpiration is the movement of water from roots to leaves.

Water absorbed by roots —> travels through xylem —> exists via stomata.

Driven by evaporation and cohesion-tension.

Transport in Plants - Translocation

Translocation is movement of sugars (phloem transport).

Sugars produced in leaves —> transported to roots, fruits, or storage organs.

Uses pressure-flow mechanism.

Seasonal Sugar Movement - Spring

Sugars move from roots to growing buds.

Seasonal Sugar Movement - Summer

Sugars move to fruits and leaves.

Seasonal Sugar Movement - Fall/Winter

Sugars stored roots.

Primary Plant Growth

Lengthening of stems and roots (apical meristems).

Secondary Plant Growth

Thickening of stems and roots (vascular cambium —> wood formation).

Factors that increase plant growth

Sunlight, water, nutrients, hormones (auxins, gibberellins), temperature.

Factors that decrease plant growth

Drought, pollution, lack of nutrients, extreme temperatures.

Growth control for plants

Hormones regulate development (e.g., auxins for cell elongation, abscisic acid for dormancy).

Primary Succession

Occurs in areas without previous life (e.g., volcanic rock).

Secondary Succession

Occurs after disturbances (e.g., forest fire, farming).

Human impact on Succession

Deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture alter succession patterns.

Non-seed plant reprodution.

Mosses and ferns use spores.

Gymnosperms

Conifers produce seeds in cones.

Angiosperms

Flowering plants produce seeds in fruits.

Plant Identification- Moses

Non-vascular, found in moist areas.

Plant Identification - Ferns

Vascular, reproduce with spores.

Plant Identification - Gymnosperms

Seed-producing, needle-like leaves (e.g., pine trees).

Plant Identification - Angiosperms

Flowering plants with diverse structures.

Identification by Habitat & Structure - Mosses

Damp forests, soft texture.

Identification by Habitat & Structure - Ferns

Shaded areas, fronds.

Identification by Habitat & Structure - Gymnosperms

Evergreen forest, cones.

Identification by Habitat & Structure - Angiosperms

Varied habitats, flowers, and fruits.

Human uses of plants

Leaves (tea, medicine), stems (wood, bamboo), roots (carrot ginger), seeds (grains, nuts).

Coffee Consumption in Canada

Economic: Major industry with global trade.

Social: Part of daily culture.

Environmental: Deforestation and water use concerns.

Engineering & Plants

Used in biofuels, pharmaceuticals, biodegradable plastics.

Phytoremediation

Plants absorb pollutants (e.g., heavy metals) to clean the environment.

Maple Syrup Industry

Sap flows in spring due to pressure changes.

Sugars stores in roots during winter are transported upward in early spring.