Like all living things, plants can perform the three vital functions of nutrition, interaction and reproduction.
Plants use autotrophic nutrition. In order to carry out this process, they start by taking in inorganic matter through their roots and leaves:
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Water and the mineral salts form the raw sap which travels to the leaves through the vessels that form the xylem.
Through the process of photosynthesis, plants create organic matter from inorganic matter. This process is possible thanks to a substance called chlorophyll. It is located in the chloroplasts of plant cells, particularly in the leaves.
Chlorophyll captures energy from sunlight, and the plant uses this energy to create organic material from water, mineral salts and carbon dioxide (CO2). In this process, the plant produces oxygen (O2) and releases it into the environment.
Organic matter produced during photosynthesis is shared across the whole plant as elaborated sap. This fluid travels through the vessels that make up the phloem.
The plant uses organic matter to create new structures and to perform cell respiration. This process takes place in the mitochondria. It consists of using organic matter to produce energy. During cell respiration, plants take in O2 and they release CO2.
Plants interact by reacting to stimuli such as light, temperature and humidity. Stimuli are also related to the growth and flowering of the plant.
Plants react to stimuli by using movement and generating hormones.
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Plants perform different types of reproduction, such as sexual, asexual or alternating.
Activity 23
Activity 24
Fill in the blank spaces with the correct answer.
Activity 25
Find examples of plants that perform asexual reproduction with each of the structures shown in the picture.
Activity 26
How do tropism movements differ from nastic movements?
Activity 27
Wind is an agent which helps a grain of pollen reach the carpel. Do you know of any other agents?
