Chapter Overview During this unit, students examine cells of specialized structures in plants, parts that make up plant systems, and how different systems in plants interact to perform the functions of response, transport, development, and reproduction. In addition, the relationship of natural selection to adaptation and to the development of diversity among plant species is analyzed and evaluated. Students also compare characteristics of the taxonomic group and plants with other taxonomic groups. Main Ideas ***Plants have specialized
structures with specialized functions allowing them to be successful in diverse
environments. ***Plants have developed
reproductive adaptations allowing them to reproduce successfully in a variety
of environments. Misconceptions ***Students may think that only animals have organs and organ systems that work together to perform functions within an organism, rather than realizing that these levels of organization also exist in plants. ***Student may not understand that plants maintain homeostasis, just as animals and other organisms do (by responding to external and internal factors). ***Students may not understand that plants are capable of sexual reproduction. ***Students may not understand that flowers are reproductive adaptations for plants. Vocabulary Xylem
– Plant tissue that transports water absorbed in roots throughout the plant. Phloem
– Plant tissue that transports glucose produced by the leaves throughout the
plant. Taproot
– A primary root that grows down with small lateral roots. Stoma
– A tiny pore in the epidermis of a leaf used for gas exchange. Guard
Cells – Cells surrounding the stoma that
regulate the size of the stoma. Filament
– The slender stalk-like portion of the male
reproductive structure of a flowering plant; supports the anther. Anther
– The portion of the male reproductive structure of a flowering plant that
contains pollen. Stamen
– The male reproductive structure of a flowering plant; consists of the anther
and the filament. Stigma
– The sticky tip of the female reproductive
structure of a flowering plant; captures pollen for the purpose of pollination. Style
– The slender stalk-like portion of the female reproductive structure of a
flowering plant; supports the stigma. Ovary
– The enlarged portion at the base of the reproductive structure of the
flowering plant that contains ovules (the female gamete); after fertilization,
it will become he fruit of the plant. Pistil
– The female reproductive structure of a flowering plant; consists of the
stigma, style, and ovary. Seed
– The result of a fertilized plant ovule; can be cultivated to produce a new
plant. Gametophyte
– The haploid stage of a plant that produces gametes by mitosis. Angiosperm
– A class of plants that produces flowers. Gymnosperm
– A class of plants that produce naked seeds found
in cones instead of ovaries. Monocot
– A flowering plant whose seed has one cotyledon. Dicot
– A flowering plant whose seed has two cotyledons. Gravitropism
– A plant’s ability to move toward the earth (roots) or away from the earth (stems). Phototropism
– A plant’s ability to move toward the sunlight. Thigmotropism
– A plant’s ability to move when it comes in contact with another object. Transpiration
– The process of a plant absorbing water through the roots and then releasing
water vapor through its stomata in the leaves. Notes    Other Valuable Resources  |
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