Transcript Very Powerful Plants

WHAT’S SO COOL ABOUT
PLANTS?
Insects Vs. Plants
WHAT’S SO COOL
ABOUT PLANTS?
…AND OTHER STUFF YOU
PROBABLY NEVER KNEW ABOUT
PLANTS!!!!!
The Importance of Plants
 Without plants, life on earth could not
exist!
 Plants are the primary source of food for
humans and animals
The Importance of Plants
continued…
 Plants also:
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Provide oxygen
Provide shade
Supply us with medicines
Renew the air
Slow down the wind
Hold soil in place
Are a home for wildlife
Furnish building materials and fuel
ENERGY:
 One of the most unique groups of living organisms
 Obtain energy through:
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Carnivorous Plants:
 Meat eating plants include:
 Venus Fly trap
 Pitcher Plant
Sundew
Venus Fly Trap in Action!
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PJiE
P_z-F4
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhcO
YgCJK4o&feature=related
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYGw
gzehf6c
Extreme Survival Skills:
 Plants can survive in the desert much longer than
humans….
 “XEROPHYTES”
Reproduction without SEX:
 Vegetative reproduction…
Very Powerful Plants:
 a. Opium Poppy: dried sap used as drug
source (morphine/codeine)
Very Powerful Plants:
b. ginseng: illness recovery
Very Powerful Plants:
 c. coca: Indians chewed leaves to dull
pain and prevent tiredness (cocaine)
Deadly Plants:
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a. Deadly Nightshade
Native to Europe
All parts are poison
ESP. ROOTS!
 Atropine
 3 berries have killed children
Deadly Plants:
 b. Dumb Cane: Dieffenbachia
 Popular house plant
 Poison sap
 Mouth/throat swelling
Plants used for
BEAUTY:
 a. JOJOBA: soothing oils, pleasant
smells
Plants used for
BEAUTY:
 b. Aloe Vera: soothing gels
Life-Saving Plants:
a. Willow Trees: aspirin-salicylic acid
b. Foxglove: heart medication- digitalis
c. Rosy Periwinkle: anti-cancer drugs
What is the world’s fastest
growing plant??????
 BAMBOO
 47.6” in 24 hrs.!!!
 Mrs. Hadley=61”
Can you think of other
unique/interesting/useful examples
relative to plants??