Life Cycle & Seeds
What is stored inside a seed to help it grow?
Nutrients or food reserves
What type of tissue are the xylem and phloem?
Vascular tissue
What part of a plant cell captures sunlight for photosynthesis?
The chloroplast
What do plants absorb from the soil to help with growth?
Water and minerals
What part of a flower produces pollen?
The anther
What are two ways that seeds can be dispersed by animals?
By sticking to fur/feathers or being eaten and passed out
What part of the plant connects the xylem and phloem to the leaves?
Veins.
What are the products of photosynthesis?
Glucose & oxygen
How do plants know what's up and down when growing their roots and shoots?
What is the sticky part of the pistil that catches pollen?
The stigma
Why are coconut trees often found on the beach and along rivers?
Why is it critical for the phloem to distribute sugars to non-photosynthetic parts of the plant?
Non-photosynthetic parts like roots rely on these sugars for energy and growth.
Cell wall, chloroplast or large central vacuole
What are tiny root structures that increase a plant’s ability to absorb water?
Root hairs
What is the purpose of nectar in flowers?
To attract pollinators by providing them with a food source.
How do plants achieve genetic diversity in their seeds?
Through cross-pollination, which mixes genetic material from different plants
Why is the transport in xylem considered passive while transport in phloem is active?
Xylem uses physical forces like transpiration and cohesion, while phloem requires energy (ATP) for sugar transport.
Why is photosynthesis considered the foundation of life on earth?
It produces oxygen and organic compounds that fuel almost all life forms and drive global carbon and energy cycles.
How might a plant's root-to-shoot ratio change in response to a drought?
The root system might grow more than the shoot system to increase the area for potential water absorption
What are wind-pollinated flowers often missing that insect-pollinated flowers have?
Bright colors and strong fragrances
How might climate change affect the life cycle of a plant?
Plants may adjust their flowering and seed production times to align with changing temperature and rainfall patterns.
Why does placing a clipped flower in water slow down how quickly it wilts?
The xylem can continue to absorb water and transport it upwards. The water tension keeps the flower upright and prevents wilting.
Name 2 ways in which the structure of leaves maximizes its efficiency for photosynthesis.
Thin structure for light penetration, large surface area for light absorption or stomata for gas exchange.
Why do some plants in swamps and mangroves grow roots above the ground?
To get oxygen in waterlogged soils
Why do some fruits, like chili peppers, evolve to be spicy?
To deter mammals from eating them while still attracting birds, which are better seed dispersers and unaffected by capsaicin (spiciness).