The basic needs of a plant are:

1. Energy  (from sunlight)

2. Nutrients (from roots/soil)

3. Water (from root/soil)

4. Gas exchange (from leaves/stems → photosynthesis; from roots →stomata)

5. Protection from herbivores and diseases (thorns, poison, etc)

6. Reproduction (from seed, pollen, cones, fruit, flowers, spores)

Plants capture energy from incoming solar radiation and convert it into chemical energy through photosynthesis:

• 6CO2 (g)+ 6H2O(l) → C6H12O6 (s)+6O2 (g)

• Carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen

Glucose is a carbohydrate. A Carbohydrate is a molecule that contains only atoms of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a ratio of 1:2:1.

• Carbohydrates are the main source of chemical energy plants need for maintenance, growth, and development.

• Plants are autotrophic.

Nutrient Adaptations: Plants need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to synthesize proteins, lipids, and other compounds needed in their cells.

• Plants have a symbiotic relationship with Mycorrhizal fungi that are attached to their roots. This allows them to extend their surface area and absorb nutrients and water. They give plants nutrients and moisture in the soil in exchange for glucose.

Capturing Light Adaptations: Because capturing light is an important process in photosynthesis, plants have developed different methods of maximizing capturing light. For example, some plants adjust the position of their leaves to maximize their exposure to sunlight. This process is called phototropism.

Protection From Herbivores Adaptations: Since plants are primary producers, they are the food source of many species. Since they can’t move away from herbivores, plants produce toxic or bad-tasting substances to keep herbivores away. Others produce tough, hairy, or prickly outer layers.

Gas Exchange Adaptations: Plants need gas exchange for cellular respiration and photosynthesis.

• In vascular plants, the gas exchange happens in the leaves.

• CO2 (g) for photosynthesis

• O2 (g) for cellular respiration

Four Types Of Tissues In Plants:

1. Dermal tissue: for protection

2. Vascular tissue: for transportation

3. Ground tissue: for support/structure/storage/photosynthesis

4. Meristematic tissue: for growth

• It is a tissue consisting of dividing undifferentiated cells (meristematic cells) found in areas of the plant where growth can take place. The meristematic cells eventually specialize.

• Only in vascular plants.

Three Major Groups Of Vascular Plants:

1. Lycophytes

• A seedless vascular plant.

• Ex: club mosses

2. Gymnosperm

• A vascular plant that produces seeds in special structures called cones

• Ex: Pine trees

3. Angiosperms

• A plant that produces flowers.

• Ex: roses, orchids, jasmine, etc.

• Monocots and Eudicots are types of angiosperm plants.

Other Plant Characteristics:

• Cuticle: A waterproof, waxy coating produced by the epidermis of most plants.

• Stomata: A small opening in the epidermis of a plant that allows gas exchange.

• Pollen: A small structure called “grains” that contain microscopic haploid male gametophyte.

• Seed: A plant structure containing an embryo, and a food supply, surrounded by a protective outer layer covering called the seed coat.

• Ovule: A small structure that contains a microscopic haploid female gametophyte.

• Cone: In plants, the reproductive structure of a conifer; produces either pollen or ovules.