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Why We Need Plants!
Why We Need Plants!
Plants are critical to life on earth! Here are just some of the reasons why we can't live without them:
Plants provide oxygen. Through photosynthesis plants create oxygen by transforming carbon dioxide (CO2) and water into oxygen (O2) and sugar.
Plant roots and the relational microorganisms support soil quality.
By taking in carbon dioxide, plants help to mitigate climate change.
Plants provide invaluable habitats for a wide range of species. A single tree can offer a home for insects, birds, squirrels and many other animals.
Green spaces are critical in reducing air pollution. Trees filter pollutant gases like nitrogen oxides out of the air through their stomata.
Let's go over the basics of plant biology!
Let's go over the basics of plant biology!
Within the plant kingdom, the main groups are angiosperms and gymnosperms.
Angiosperms are plants that have flowers and produce fruit. They are a large and abundant group and include most herbaceous plants, shrubs, grasses and most trees.
Gymnosperms are plants that have seeds without flowers or fruit. Included in this group are conifers, cycads and gingko.
Although less common, ferns, lycophytes, mosses, hornworts and liverworts are an important part of the plant kingdom.
With plant identification, determining whether it's deciduous or coniferous is an important distinguishing factor.
Deciduous trees shed their leaves annually (Maple, Oak) whereas most coniferous trees have needles or scales that don't fall off during the winter (Pines, Hemlocks).
Plant Physiology
Plant Physiology
Essentially, it’s the study of plant form and function. There are many parts of a plant, like leaves, stems and roots, that all contribute to its functioning. Let's go over them!
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves play a very important role! They are the main center of photosynthesis in the plant. Photosynthesis is a set of chemical reactions, producing sugar and oxygen. The green of the leaf indicates the presence of chlorophyll, a pigment. The chlorophyll is responsible for capturing the sun’s light energy.
Stems
Stems
Stems provide a variety of functions for the plant. They provide support for leaves, flowers and fruit as well as transport water, gases and nutrients between areas of the plant.
Roots
Roots
Roots are responsible for collecting water and nutrients - essential for plant growth. There are different types of roots systems including fibrous and systems with a distinct tap root. Many dicot plants have a main root (tap root) with many lateral roots growing from it. Differently, fibrous root systems have lots of thin roots spread out under the surface to form a mat of roots underground.
Xylem & Phloem
Xylem & Phloem
Xylem & Phloem make up the vascular tissue of plants and provide the transport of resources. To break it up, xylem transports water from the roots to the stem and leaves. Phloem is responsible for transporting sugar produced by photosynthesis.
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