Plant Kingdom

Introduction

Does a plant have to be green? Do they all

photosynthesize? They are eukaryotic organisms that are not
animals, fungi, or protists. And yes, they have to
photosynthesize.

What Are Plants?

Plants have adapted to a variety of environments, from the

deserts to oceans. In each environment, plants have become
crucial to supporting animal life. Plants are the food that animals
eat. Plants also provide places for animals, such as insects and
birds, to live. From tiny mosses to gorgeous rose bushes to
extremely large redwood trees, the organisms in this kingdom
have five main features.

All plants...
...are multicellular.
 Plants are all multicellular, meaning they are composed of more than one cell. There are no single-
celled plants.
...are photosynthetic.
 Photosynthesis is the process by which plants capture the energy of sunlight and use carbon dioxide
from the air (or water) to make their own food: glucose.
 Plants have chloroplasts, the organelle of photosynthesis, and are known as producers, or
autotrophs. Most plants have a green color because of the chloroplasts.
...have cell walls.
 A cell wall is a rigid, protective layer surrounding cells.
...reproduce using spores or sex cells.
 Plants can reproduce asexually or sexually.
 For plants, asexual reproduction happens through fragmentation (spores can be blown to different
environments where the offspring then grow to maturity).
 Sexual reproduction happens through sex cells (pollen and eggs). Weather or other organisms help
spread pollen from flower to flower.
...have a cuticle.
 A cuticle is a waxy layer that covers plants to help keep water in.

Why Are Plants Important?

Plants, and other photosynthetic organisms, are the base for all food chains. Without them, the
herbivores that eat them will slowly die out. After that, the carnivores that eat herbivores will slowly die out
because of the limited food supply. This chain reaction will, over time, kill all life on Earth.

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How Are Plants Classified?

Plants are divided into 12 different phyla (plural for phylum), and those phyla are gathered into four major
groups:

1. Bryophytes
 These plants are non-vascular, meaning they do not have vascular tissue to transport nutrients, water,
or food.
 Examples include mosses, liverworts, and hornworts.

2. Pteridophytes
 These plants have vascular tissue but do not have seeds.
 Examples include ferns, whisk ferns, club mosses, and horsetails.

3. Gymnosperms
 These are vascular plants that have seeds, but no flowers.
 Examples include redwood, fir, and cypress trees.

4. Angiosperms
 These are vascular plants that have seeds and flowers.
 Examples include magnolia trees, lilacs, tomatoes, and tulips.

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Review of “Plant Kingdom” Reading
1. Why are plants important to all life on Earth?

2. What are the defining characteristics of each of the four groups of plants?

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Characteristics of the Plant Kingdom

Characteristics
of the Animal
Kingdom

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 The Plant Kingdom

Vascular
Non-Vascular Definition:
A.K.A.

Definition:

Example(s):
Seeded Seedless

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A.K.A.

Example(s):

Angiosperms Gymnosperms
Classification of the Plant Kingdom

Definition: Definition:

Example(s): Example(s):
 Plant Mobile
Step 1: Prep Your Notecards

Kingdom Plantae

Vascular Plants Non-Vascular Plants

Bryophytes
Seedless Plants Seeded Plants

Pteridophytes Gymnosperms Angiosperms

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 Step 2: Write Your Information
Which card... What to write...

Front: “Kingdom Plantae” and your name.

Kingdom Plantae
Back: List the five characteristics of the plant kingdom.

Front: “Vascular Plants”

Vascular Plants
Back: Definition of vascular plants.

Front: “Non-Vascular Plants”

Non-Vascular Plants
Back: Definition of non-vascular plants.

Front: “Seedless Plants”

Seedless Plants
Back: Draw a picture to represent the idea.

Front: “Seeded Plants”

Seeded Plants
Back: Draw a picture to represent the idea.

Front: “Bryophytes”
Byrophytes
Back: Picture Example and Name of the Plant

 Draw your own or use the ones provided.

Front: “Pteridophytes”
Pteridophytes
Back: Picture Example and Name of the Plant

 Draw your own or use the ones provided.

Front: “Angiosperms” and Definition
Angiosperms
Back: Picture Example and Name of the Plant

 Draw your own or use the ones provided.

Front: “Gymnosperms” and Definition
Gymnosperms
Back: Picture Example and Name of the Plant

 Draw your own or use the ones provided.

.
Color the pictures (drawn or not) THEN connect your cards together.
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