6-2
Structures, Processes, and Responses of Plants
The student will demonstrate an understanding of structures, processes, and
responses of plants that allow them to survive and reproduce. (Life Science)
6-2.4 Summarize the basic functions of the structures of a flowering plant for defense,
survival, and reproduction.
Taxonomy level: 2.4-B Understand Conceptual Knowledge
Essential Question: What are some of the structures plants use for defense, survival, and
reproduction?___________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
It is essential for students to know that flowering plants have special structures that function
for defense, survival, and reproduction.
Structures for Defense
Plants have structures for defense that protect them from threats and without these defenses the
plant might die. Examples of natural defenses that plants have developed over time may be

_______________________that can defend the plant from being eaten by some animals or
destroyed when stepped upon.

fruits and leaves with__________________________ so that they are not eaten by animals.

the ability to _________________________its leaves when touched
(___________________________________________).
Structures for Survival
Plants have structures that allow them to survive in their habitats when the conditions are not
suitable. Examples of parts of flowering plants that function for survival may be:

____________________function as the site of photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration
in plants.

_______________________support the plant and hold the leaves up to the light. Stems also
function as ______________________
________________________sites.
o The ___________________________in the stems transports _________________from
the roots to the leaves and other plant parts.
Effective August 2007
6-2
Structures, Processes, and Responses of Plants
The student will demonstrate an understanding of structures, processes, and
responses of plants that allow them to survive and reproduce. (Life Science)
o The _________________________in the stems transport ____________________made
in the leaves to growing parts of the plant.

_____________________help anchor the plant in the ground.
o They also absorb __________________and ______________________ from the soil and
store extra food for the plants.
o The more __________________ ________________on the root that is available, the
more water and nutrients it can absorb.
o ____________________ ___________________________help to increase this surface
area.

There are __________________types of roots: fibrous roots and taproots.
o _______________________ ________________________consist of several main roots
that branch off to form a mass of roots. Examples are grass, corn, and some trees.
Draw the fibrous root plant.
o _____________________________consist of one large, main root with smaller roots
branching off. Examples are carrots, dandelions, or cacti.
Draw the taproot plant.

_________________________have special structures that allow them to be dispersed by
wind, water, or animals.

The seeds ____________________helps _________________________ the embryo from
injury and also from drying out.
End of part one
Effective August 2007
Structures, Processes, and Responses of Plants
The student will demonstrate an understanding of structures, processes, and
responses of plants that allow them to survive and reproduce. (Life Science)
6-2
Questions to complete for homework.
1. How do thorns protect a blackberry bush?
2.
If some household and landscaping plants are poisonous, why do people continue to
plant them?
3.
If plant leaves are so important for survival, then how do plants that lose their leaves in
the winter survive?
4. Why are stems important parts of a plant?
5. What systems in your body act like the stem of a plant?
Define key terms.
1. thigmotropism
2. taproot
3. fibrous root
Effective August 2007
6-2
Structures, Processes, and Responses of Plants
The student will demonstrate an understanding of structures, processes, and
responses of plants that allow them to survive and reproduce. (Life Science)
Structures for Reproduction
Parts of the flowering plant that function in reproduction include:
Flowers
 Flowers produce ___________________________.

Many flowers contain both _______________________and ____________________ parts
needed to produce new flowers.

Flower petals are often _____________________or have a _____________________ to
attract insects and other animals.
Stamen (the male flower part)
 The male part of a flower that has an ___________________________ on a stalk (filament).

The _________________produces the ____________________ that contains the sperm cells.
Draw and label the male parts of the flower.
Pistil (the female flower part)

The female part of the flower that contains
o The __________________, which contains the ovules where the ___________cells are
produced.
o The __________________, which is the _____________top where pollen grains land.
o The___________________, which is a stalk down which the pollen tube grows after
pollination has taken place.
Effective August 2007
6-2
Structures, Processes, and Responses of Plants
The student will demonstrate an understanding of structures, processes, and
responses of plants that allow them to survive and reproduce. (Life Science)
Draw and label the female parts of the flower.
Seed
 The ovule that contains the _____________________ __________ (embryo) from which
new plants are formed.

A ________________________that is formed from the ovary often protects them.
Complete the essential question.
Define key terms.
1. stamen
2. pistil
3. pollen
4. ovary
5. seed
6. anther
Effective August 2007
6-2
Structures, Processes, and Responses of Plants
The student will demonstrate an understanding of structures, processes, and
responses of plants that allow them to survive and reproduce. (Life Science)
7. fruit
8. style
9. stigma
Questions to complete for homework.
1. Identify the male reproductive parts of a flower. Include the overall name.
2. Identify the female reproductive parts of the flower. Include the overall name.
3. Why is it important that the stigma be sticky?
4. Once the pollen is on the stamen, what happens to it? Use your vocabulary.
5. What would attract another organism to a flower and why?
Assessment Guidelines:
The objective of this indicator is to summarize the basic functions of the structures of flowering
plants; therefore, the primary focus of assessment should be to generalize points about the
various structures needed for defense, survival, and reproduction. However, appropriate
assessments should also require student to identify the parts of a flower used for reproduction;
identify structures in plants used for defense, survival, or reproduction; illustrate a flower or
plant structures using words, pictures, or diagrams; or classify a structure based on its function
for defense, survival, or reproduction.
Effective August 2007