Cool Things that Plants DoAP Biology - LAHS

Cool Things that Plants Do1. Organ Modification

2. Movement

3. Clonal Colony

4. Grafting

5. Really really cool plants

1. Organ Modification Plants have organs: stems,

roots, leaves, etc.

All stems must have buds/leaves to be classified as stem tissue

Stolon: horizontal stem that is fleshy or semi-woody and lies along the top of the ground (strawberries)

Bulbs: shortened stems surrounded by fleshy scales (modified leaves) that envelop a central bud located at the tip of the stem (garlic, onion)

1. Organ Modification Tubers: swollen portions of

underground stems (stolons) stems have nodes, and

buds arise at nodes Potatoes

Pneumatophores: spongy outgrowths of underwater roots (plants in swamps) Facilitate oxygen supply

1. Organ Modification Buttress Roots: provide

stability

Parasitic Roots: stems that lack chlorophyll will produce roots that penetrate host plants

1. Organ Modification Floral Leaves (bracts):

surround the true flowers and perform the same function as showy petals Poinsettias and

dogwoods

Spines: reduction of leaf surface reduces water loss and deters predators Not to be confused with

thorns cacti

1. Organ Modification Floating Leaves: Water lilies

Evolved to have very large area to float on water Victoria amazonica

Leaves can grow to over 2.5 m across Network of protruding ribs on underside of leaf for buoyancy

and stability

The leaves are rumored to be able to hold a baby

1. Organ Modification Insectivorous Leaves:

leaves trap insects and digest their soft parts plants that need nitrogen Nutrients are absorbed

through the leaf surface Pitcher plants Sundews Venus Fly Trap Almost 200 species of

flowering plants that are insectivorous

2. Movement Plants move via tropisms –

slow movement

Plants move for other reasons and can be perceived with the naked eye – rapid plant movement

Venus fly trap

Mimosa

“Telegraph Plant”

2. Movement Youtube Videos:

Moving Mimosa Plant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAN9ejXyhV8

Venus Fly Trap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRUaJD0oT6A&NR=1&f

eature=fvwp Telegraph Plant “Dancing Plant” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgQ5CucGz2M

3. Clonal Colony

Genet: group of genetically identical individuals that grew vegetatively from a common ancestor

An individual of this population – ramet

Each colony shares single root structure

Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides): usually propagates through cloning

3. Clonal Colony Quaking Aspen

Sexual reproduction not common, since all individuals are all only 1 sex

Pando “The Trembling Giant” Utah Heaviest known organism

(est. 6,000 tons collectively) 107 acres 47,000 stems Is claimed to be 80,000 yrs

old

4. Really really cool plants Rafflesia arnoldii (Corpse

Flower) Produces largest individual

flower on earth Flower smells like rotting

flesh Lives as a parasite Has no visible roots/stems Does not have chlorophyll Only visible in flowering

state Attracts flies for pollination

4. Really really cool plants Polypodium polypodioides

“Resurrection Fern” Can survive long periods of drought by curling up and

appearing desiccated Will revive within 24 hours after soaking in water Can survive an estimated 100 years of drought and still

“resurrect” after a single soaking

4. Really really cool plants Romanesco Broccoli

Brassica oleracea Edible flower species Varient of Cauliflower Each bud has smaller

buds that occur in a spiral

All buds together occur in an even larger spiral