November 16, 2022

Plants - Physiology

Common features: use chlorophyl to photosynthesise (red algae use

other molecules), use starch to store energy, have cellulose based
cell walls, reproduce sexually.
Within these common features have developed a vast array of
adpations to different habits.
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The phylogenic adaption and

evolution of plants
Stages
1. Single to multicellular requires cell
specialisation and types of
chlorophyll
2. Aquatic to terrestrial requires
management of water loss and
development of a vascular system
and life cycle
3. Reproduction via pollen requires
dispersal mechanism.
4. Avoiding competition with self
requires seed dispersal
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Leaf Structure

How does the structure match the function for

each leaf element?
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What is the function of

each tissue?
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Note the different

structures

Also the variety of

photosynthetic pigments
employed by different
algae and plants
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Adaptions of leaves

Hydrophytes - water plants. So large spaces in the mesophyll to enhance boyancy,

thick cuticles to control water movement
Xerophytes - desert plants. Stomata protected in pits or with hairs to minimise
transpiration losses.
Bryophytes - mosses. Gametophyte phase dominates, need water to transfer
spores to achieve fertilisation.
Pterophytes - ferns
Monocots vs Dicots
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Monocot leaves

What are the differences and why do they occur?

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Hydrophytes

How have these leaves

adapted?
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Bryophytes

Why do mosses
(bryophytes) need to
be moist for part of
their life cycle?

Note Mosses and ferns spend most of their life cycle as haploid organisms
(gametophytes)
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Life cycle of a Pterophyte (ferns)

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Flowers
Purpose: exchange gametes in sexual reproduction
Principle elements:
• Carpel (female) composed of stigma, style, ovary and ovule. Function: capture
pollen, check it and allow it to fertilize the ovary.
• Stamen (male) composed of anther and filament. Function: pollen dispersal
• Petals: attract pollinators with colour
• Sepals: protect the budding flower - usually green
• Nectaries: at the base of the petals to attract pollinators with nectar
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Why are there so many types of flowers?

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Flowers: Sex variations

Hermaphrodite - have both sexes in
the same flower
Male only or female only flowers
are divided in monoecious plants
where the plant produces single
sex flowers but both male and
female separately so can fertillise
itself. Or Dioecious where the
species produces different sex
flowers on different plants so two
are needed for fertillisation.
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Fruit: purpose seed dispersal

Endosperm = energy store
Embryo has the Cotelydenon = first leaf
& energy store
Testa = seed coat - protection
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Note there are many

classifications of fruit -
more than are shown
here.
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Seed
germination.
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Seed dispersal
Strategies