lab quiz - plant adaptations

Morphological

(structural), like spines on a rose or fruit with wings for air-dispersal

Physiological

(chemical), like toxins to discourage herbivores

wind dispersal

papery wings or fluff to help them catch the breeze. For example, dandelion fruits, maple fruits, and sweetgum seeds

water dispersal

float and have waterproof husks so they don't soak up water and sink. Think coconuts and sea beans

animal dispersal

Sticky dry fruits like cockle burs (the inspiration for Velcro) disperse by sticking to animals' fur. Fleshy fruits (like apples and berries) disperse their seeds by being eaten.

Domesticated fruits that are green at maturity are also less likely to

get pecked by birds before you have a chance to pick and eat them.

Succulent plants

adapted to grow in dry areas and use their fleshy leaves or stems for storing extra water between rains

armature

the physical structures that plants use to defend themselves from predators. These structures include thorns, spines, and prickles.

Trees use two major strategies for winter leaf loss

Deciduous (or broad-leaved) trees drop all their leaves in the fall and hibernate through the winter. Evergreen (or needle-bearing) trees hang on to their leaves over the winter.  Their stiff, narrow, slick leaves resist wilting even if the soil freezes. Snow tends to slide off of them, so weight doesn't build-up on the branches.

Stomates

or gas exchange pores, are concentrated on the undersides of leaves.

cuticle

covers the skin, which restricts water loss to just the stomates. stomates concentrated on the bottom of the leaves also helps protect them from drying winds

tendrils

(curling, modified stems) to grab on to neighboring plants. grape vines

twining stems

climbing up by spiraling its stems around those of larger plants.honeysuckle

aerial roots

above-ground roots that stick on to tree bark, poison ivy

ROOT STORAGE

are primarily for water uptake and to anchor the plant. adapted to also help store food and water for the plant. carrots, parsnips, beets and turnips

allelochemic

a chemical produced by a plant to inhibit or repel other plants and animals. People use plant chemicals for drugs, flavorings, and insecticides. spices

skin

helps keep a plant from drying out, as well as helping keep pathogens out. potato experiment

WINTER BUDS

bud scales help keep the delicate tissues of the young buds from drying out or being otherwise damaged during the winter

Plants adapted to swampy habitats are often

carnivorous

CARNIVOROUS PLANTS

need nitrogen to make chlorophyll. Venus flytrap (trigger hairs), pitcher plants (tubular leaves fill with water and trap them)