PLANTS

Once upon a time, Linnaeus determined there were two kingdoms

•Plants -- autotrophs (they make their own

food)

•Animals -- heterotrophs (they can’t make

their own food, so they eat other living things)

Then, van Leeuwenhoek discovered microorganisms. These soon became

the third kingdom, Protists

•Plants -- autotrophs, multicellular

•Animals -- heterotrophs, multicellular

•Protists -- autotrophs and

heterotrophs, unicellular

The electron microscope revealed that some living things had cells

with a distinct nucleus (eukaryotes), while other living

things had no clear nucleus in their cells (prokaryotes). This caused

scientists to add the kingdom Monera.

•Plants -- autotrophs, multicellular, eukaryotic

•Animals -- heterotrophs, multicellular, eukaryotic

•Protists -- autotrophs and heterotrophs, unicellular, eukaryotic

•Monera -- autotrophs and heterotrophs, unicellular, prokaryotic

Scientists then realized some of the living things they had identified as plants were not autotrophs. These living things had many features in

common with each other, but were different from animals and plants.

They were grouped together in a new kingdom called Fungi

• Plants -- autotrophs, multicellular, eukaryotic

• Animals -- heterotrophs, multicellular,

eukaryotic

•Fungi -- heterotrophs, multicellular, eukaryotic

• Protists -- autotrophs and heterotrophs,

unicellular, eukaryotic

•Monera -- autotrophs and heterotrophs,

unicellular, prokaryotic

Finally, scientists studying the genetic makeup of Moneran cells discovered that there were two distinct groups. The “ancient”

bacteria (archaebacteria), and the more “modern,” common bacteria

(eubacteria).

• Plants -- autotrophs, multicellular, eukaryotic

• Animals -- heterotrophs, multicellular, eukaryotic

• Fungi -- heterotrophs, multicellular, eukaryotic

• Protists -- autotrophs and heterotrophs, -- unicellular, eukaryotic

• Eubacteria – autotrophs and heterotrophs, unicellular, prokaryotic

• Archaebacteria – autotrophs, unicellular, prokaryotic, extremophile

Plants • The plant kingdom is huge and can be

confusing. In addition to the KPCOFGS layers of classification, there are 4 – 6 others, depending on which method you choose.

• In our class we will focus on the Seed Plants (gymnosperms and angiosperms). Today, we will discuss two groups of angiosperms, monocots and dicots.

Plants are living things, and, thus,

display all the characteristics of

life.

In addition, they are autotrophs,

so they make their own food.

Plants make food through a

process called photosynthesis.

It requires water, CO2, and light.

Photosynthesis in Plants

• Photosynthesis uses light energy to combine CO2 and H2O creating glucose, a simple sugar.

• Air, including CO2, enters the leaves through small openings called Stoma.

• Water (and minerals) usually enter the plant through the root system. They are transported to the leaves by tube-like structures called Xylem (Scrabble value = 17).

Seed Plants

• Are divided into two broad categories:

– Gymnosperms (naked seeds) – usually conifers

– Angiosperms (vessel seeds) -- most garden plants

• Angiosperms are further divided into two groups:

– Monocots – one seed leaf – ex. grasses

– Dicots – two seed leaves – ex. most garden plants

Characteristics of Monocots

• One seed leaf (cotyledon)

• Major leaf veins are parallel

• Distribution of xylem in the stem is random.

• Pollen granules have one pore or furrow.

• Flower petals and other structures occur in multiples of three.

Characteristics of Dicots

• Two seed leaves (cotyledons)

• Leaf veins are branching in structure

• Distribution of xylem in the stem is circular.

• Pollen granules have three pores or furrows.

• Flower petals and other structures occur in multiples of two, four, or five.

In class, we will observe and document the development of a monocot and a

dicot.

C

O

R

N

L

I

M

A

B

E

A

N

S