Plant Growth and
Adaptations
Chandelier Tree - California
Venus Fly Trap
Soil and Minerals
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Soil contains a
number of
important nutrients
needed by plants.
Plants absorb
minerals from the
soil (in water) and
distribute them to
all cells.
Soil Layers
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Plants adapt to
different soil types.
Plants grow in the top
3 layers:
O = Humus
A = Topsoil
B = Subsoil
C = Bedrock
Legumes use “Nitrogen
Fixation” to absorb
Nitrogen directly
Minerals - The Big Three
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In organic Fertilizers
contain:
-Nitrogen (N): Promotes
green growth
-Phosphorus (P): roots &
flowers
-Potassium (K): hardiness
(overwinter)
The 3 numbers represent
the % of the three
elements in order (N, P, K)
Organic Vs. Inorganic
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Read Page 560
Write down a definition
for:
-Organic Fertilizer
-Inorganic Fertilizer
What is the advantage
of using organic
fertilizers?
Release Nutrients
slowly; nutrients won’t
get washed away
easily
Which Fertilizer?
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With a partner complete the
“Discovering Biology” activity on P.560
High Veggie Yield = 12-12-12
Winter lawn = 10-4-14
Lush green lawn = 25-3-5
New lawn from seed =20-27-5
Many Flowers = 10-20-10
It all starts with a seed…
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Most seeds go
through a period of
dormancy.
When conditions
are favourable, the
seed will
germinate.
Geotropism Lab Setup
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Setup your petri dishes with radish seeds
and watch them grow!!
Seed Anatomy
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Seed coat:
-Protection from damage and drying out.
Cotyledon:
-stored food for growing embryo during germination.
Embryo:
-Baby plant that remains dormant until germination.
Radicle: The primary shoot out of the seed
Germination:
-The process that occurs between the time the seed
coat cracks open until the first leaves appear.
Germination
1. Seed ends its dormancy
2. The embryo releases the hormone
Gibberellin (this starts the release of
digestive enzymes which convert the
stored starches in cotyledon into
sugars for anaerobic cellular
respiration)
Germination
3. The seed absorbs water, swells, seed
coat cracks
4. Oxygen can now be absorbed so
aerobic respiration begins.
5. Rapid growth (mitosis) of radicle
occurs.
*Sketch diagram 17.12 on Page 563
Root Growth – The Zones
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Root Cap: Strong tip for protection
Zone of Growth (Apical Meristem):
Initial Growth/Division
Zone of Elongation: Cells lengthen and
elongate
Zone of Maturation: Cells mature and
specialize
Roots – Up close!
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Complete the microviewer activity!
Adaptations
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Using your text (P. 563), identify two
plant adaptations to the following
environments:
-Desert
-Cold Climate
-Wet
-Fire
-Nutrient-Poor Soil
-Shade
Desert
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Waxy cuticle (cactus)
Small or no leaves
Extensive Root systems
Quick Germination and
Rapid Growth
Hardy seeds
Wet Environments
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Floating leaves
Specialized roots
Hollow stems for
oxygen transport
Stoma on top of
leaf
Fire Adaptations
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Seeds need to be
singed to germinate
Fireweed – quick
growth after fire
Ash environment
ideal for young
seedlings
Primary Succession
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Succession=develop
ment of plant life
No plant life there
previously
Takes place over a
long period of time
Eg. Volcanic islands
Secondary Succession
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Gradual development
of plant community in
an area with soil
already
Area has been
disturbed
Eg.Wildfire
Fireweed
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Very aggressive
plant
Colonizes disturbed
sites well; even
after oil spills
Will grow from
temperate to arctic
zones
Fireweed!
Cold Climates
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Flowers act as solar
collectors
Leafs drop off
Dormant period
Nutrient-Poor Soil
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Carnivorous plants
– capture insects
for nutrition
Parasitic plants
(vines)
Mistletoe!
Shade Adaptations
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Smaller plants
bloom early (before
maples!)
Rapid growth
Plant Hormones
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Complete the
worksheet using P.
568 as a reference
Farmer for a day!
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a)
b)
Pretend you are a commercial
farmer and want to maximize
your long term profit.
Each group will pick a plant hormone and
explain (in a creative way!):
The benefits of using it on your crops
The risks of using it on your crops