Biology of Plants and Ecosystems Notes
Biotic Factors of Ecosystems
- Organisms that affect ecosystems include:
- Bacteria
- Archaea
- Fungi
- Animals
- Plants
- Protists
Abiotic Factors of Ecosystems
- Non-living components that affect ecosystems include:
- Air
- Salinity
- Soil
- Temperature
- Light
- Water
- Minerals
- pH
- Humidity
Types of Plants
Non-Vascular Plants
- Definition: Do not possess a well-developed system for transporting water and nutrients.
- Characteristics: No true roots, stems, or leaves; nutrients are absorbed directly from the environment cell-to-cell.
- Examples: Mosses, liverworts, hornworts.
Vascular Plants
- Definition: Have a well-developed system (vascular tissue) for transporting water and food.
- Vascular Tissue Types:
- Xylem: Transports water
- Phloem: Transports food (sugars)
- Example Processes:
- Transpiration: Water transport occurs via xylem, allowing nutrient distribution from roots to leaves.
- Translocation: Sugars, produced in leaves, are transported via phloem to the rest of the plant.
Flower Dissection Lab
- Date: Wednesday - Friday, next week.
- Materials: Bring a flower to class by Thursday, 4/10.
- Key Flower Parts:
- Stamen: Male reproductive part (includes anther and filament).
- Anther: Produces pollen.
- Pistil: Female reproductive part (includes stigma, style, and ovary).
- Ovary: Develops into fruit.
- Petals (Corolla): Attract pollinators.
- Sepals (Calyx): Protect flower bud.
Seed Reproduction in Plants
Asexual Reproduction
- Offspring are clones of the parent.
- Methods include:
- Cuttings
- Tubers
- Runners
- Bulbs (dormant)
Lifecycle of a Plant
- Seed
- Root
- Root Branches
- Shoot
- Seedling (tiny leaves)
- Seedling (big leaves)
- Plant
- Plant with Bud
- Plant with Flower
- Seed dispersal
Seed Structure and Germination
- Parts of a Seed:
- Seed Coat: Protective layer.
- Embryo: Developing plant.
- Endosperm: Nutrient supply for the embryo.
- Germination: The process by which a seed grows and develops into a plant.
Types of Seed Plants
- Angiosperms (Flowering Plants): Seeds are enclosed in fruit.
- Examples: Grasses, tulips, oaks.
- Gymnosperms (Non-Flowering Plants): Seeds are exposed on cones.
- Examples: Pine trees, evergreens.
Pollination
- Definition: Transfer of pollen from stamen to pistil.
- Types:
- Self-Pollination: Pollen transfers within the same plant.
- Cross-Pollination: Pollen transfers between different plants.
Plant Cell Structure
- Cells: Made of organelles that fulfill specific functions.
- Nucleus: Largest organelle; controls all cell activities.
Additional Definitions
- Monocots vs. Dicots:
- Monocots: One cotyledon (seed leaf).
- Dicots: Two cotyledons.
Conclusion
- Understanding these structures and functions is fundamental in studying plant biology and ecology. This knowledge is essential for broader biological concepts and environmental understanding.