Transcript Plant Parts
Flowers Think about how Form meets Function? (What does each part need to do and how does the shape help it do that?) Leaves • Think about the color • Think about the shape • Think about the risks a plant must face • The primary function of a leaf is photosynthesis • Leaves also protect (from predators and from drying out) Roots • Think about the shape • Think about the materials inside (what roots do we eat?) • Think about placement (underground) • The primary function of a root is for water absorption (through root hairs) • Roots also function to store resources (starches, sugars, nutrients) • They also anchor a plant in place (protection from wind and water) ♂ ♀ (Carpel) Flower Parts: Sepals: protect the flower while it is developing from a bud Petals: used to attract pollinators (insects and birds) Petals • Think about the pattern (it may look different in visible vs. UV light) • Think about the scent • Think about the color • Think about the function of the flower (reproduction) • The function of a petal is primarily to attract a pollinator! • Pollinators bring genetically unique pollen to fertilize the egg deep within the flower. ♂ ♀ (Carpel) Female Parts of the Flower • Pistil/Carpel: all the female parts together – Stigma: covered in a sticky substance that pollen from another plant will stick to – Style: raises the stigma away from the ovary to reduce chances of self-pollination – Pollen Tube: tube that pollen of the right species will make to travel down to reach egg – Ovary: Protects the ovule – will become the fruit after fertilization – Ovule: will produce one or more eggs and become a seed around embryo after fertilization – Egg: like an egg in animals – contains ½ the genetic information to form a new individual ♂ ♀ (Carpel) Male Parts of the Flower • Stamen: All the male parts together – Anther: Contain pollen sacs that release pollen onto pollinators who then transfer it to the stigma of another flower – Pollen: similar to sperm in animals – contains ½ the needed genetic material to make a new individual – Filament: the stalk of the anther that puts it in position to be picked up by pollinators ♂ ♀ (Carpel) Armorphophallus titanum 2.7 m flower • “stinking strongly of putrefying roadkill and colored deep burgundy to mimic rotting flesh” • What do you suppose pollinates this flower – the largest flower in the world? • Notice the liquid on the tips of the stigma. • This helps the pollen stick and also hydrates it. • Notice the ovules that are exposed after cutting. • These will be pollinated by pollen that lands on the stigma. ♂ ♀ (Carpel)