I. General Characteristics of Plants
A. Eukaryotic,
multi-cellular,
autotrophic
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Photosynthesis =
carbon dioxide + water + sunlight 
glucose (sugar) + oxygen
CO2
+ H20
+ uv light (sun)
 C6H12O6
Why are plants green?
Chloroplasts
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+ O2
B. Have cell walls containing
Cellulose
C. Ecological role =
Producer
II. Uses of plants
A. Produce oxygen
B. Food/ Drink for many
*herbs
*tea
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C. Habitat for many
D. Construction
*houses
*bridges, etc.
*tools
*guitars
E. Fuel
E.g. wood, peat, petroleum,
kerosene, bio-diesel, natural gas, ethanol
F. Clothing/ textiles
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G. Medicine
1. aspirin – from white willow bark
(analgesic =pain reliever)
2. digitalis – from foxglove
(regulate irregular heart-beat)
3. quinine – from cinchona bark
(treat malaria)
4. Herbs E.g. aloe vera
H. Landscaping / decoration
I. Prevent Erosion
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J. Paper Products
K. Others? (Happiness, scents, cleaning
products, entertainment, reduce global
warming)
III. Types of plants
A. Non-vascular =
o No system of tubes for transport
o No “true” roots, stems or leaves
E.g. Mosses
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B. Vascular
1. Seedless Plants (have spores) E.g. Ferns
2. Seed Plants
a. Gymnosperms (seeds in cones)
E.g. pines, firs, spruces
b. Angiosperms
(seeds in flowers / fruit)
E.g. flowers, oak trees, tomatoes
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