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Plant and Animal Mechanism

Activity 2

Objective:
The objective of this activity is to compare and contrast the following processes in plants and
animals: reproduction, development, nutrition, gas exchange, transport/circulation, regulation of
body fluids, chemical and nervous control, immune systems, and sensory and motor mechanisms.

Processes Plants Animals

1. Reproduction

2. Development

3. Nutrition

4. Gas Exchange
5. Transport/
Circulation

6. Regulation of
Body Fluids

7. Chemical and
Nervous Control

8. Immune
Systems

9. Sensory and
Motor Mechanisms
 TOPIC SUMMARY

Reproduction:
Both plants and animals reproduce sexually or asexually. In animals, sexual reproduction
involves the fusion of male and female gametes to form a zygote. In plants, sexual reproduction
involves the transfer of pollen from the male reproductive organ to the female reproductive organ.
Asexual reproduction in animals can occur through mitosis or budding, while in plants it can occur
through vegetative propagation or spore formation.

Development:
Both plants and animals go through stages of development from a single-celled zygote to a
multicellular organism. However, the specific stages and processes of development can differ
greatly between plants and animals. For example, animals typically undergo embryonic
development, while plants may undergo both embryonic and post-embryonic development.

Nutrition:
Both plants and animals need to obtain nutrients to survive, but the methods of obtaining
nutrients can differ greatly between the two. Plants are autotrophs, meaning they produce their own
food through photosynthesis. Animals are heterotrophs, meaning they obtain food by consuming
other organisms.

Gas exchange:
Both plants and animals exchange gases with their environment, but the mechanisms and
structures used can differ. In animals, gas exchange occurs primarily through the respiratory system,
which involves the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide through specialized structures such as
lungs or gills. In plants, gas exchange occurs primarily through the stomata on leaves, where carbon
dioxide is taken in and oxygen is released during photosynthesis.

Transport/circulation:
Both plants and animals require a system for transporting nutrients, gases, and other
substances throughout their bodies. In animals, this is typically done through a circulatory system,
which involves a pump (such as the heart) and vessels (such as arteries and veins) to move blood
around the body. In plants, transport occurs primarily through specialized tissues such as xylem and
phloem.

Regulation of body fluids:

Both plants and animals need to regulate their internal fluid levels to maintain homeostasis.
In animals, this is typically done through the urinary system, which filters and eliminates waste
products from the body. In plants, regulation of body fluids occurs through the movement of water
and nutrients through specialized tissues.

Chemical and nervous control:

Both plants and animals have systems for regulating their internal processes and responding
to external stimuli. In animals, this is primarily done through the nervous system and hormonal
system, which work together to control various physiological processes. In plants, similar control is
exerted by plant hormones, which regulate plant growth and development in response to
environmental cues.

Immune systems:
Both plants and animals have mechanisms for protecting themselves from pathogens and
other threats. In animals, this is typically done through the immune system, which involves
specialized cells and molecules that identify and eliminate foreign invaders. In plants, immune
responses are more diverse and involve a range of physical, chemical, and cellular mechanisms to
protect against pathogens.

Sensory and motor mechanisms:

Both plants and animals have ways of sensing and responding to their environment. In
animals, this is typically done through specialized sensory organs such as eyes, ears, and noses,
which detect various stimuli and send signals to the brain. In plants, sensing occurs through various
mechanisms such as photoreceptors, which detect light, and chemoreceptors, which detect
chemicals. Plants also have mechanisms for responding to stimuli, such as growing towards a light
source or moving leaves in response to touch.

In summary, while plants and animals share many biological processes, there are also many
differences in the specific mechanisms and structures they use to accomplish these processes.

EXAMPLES

Reproduction:
Sexual reproduction in animals: a sperm cell fertilizing an egg cell in humans.
Sexual reproduction in plants: pollination of a flower by bees or other insects.
Asexual reproduction in animals: budding in hydra.
Asexual reproduction in plants: the propagation of a new plant from a stem cutting.

Development:
Embryonic development in animals: the growth and differentiation of cells into a fetus in
humans.
Post-embryonic development in plants: the growth of new leaves, stems, and roots after
germination.

Nutrition:
Photosynthesis in plants: the conversion of light energy into chemical energy to produce
glucose.
Digestion in animals: breaking down food into smaller molecules for absorption and use in
the body.

Gas exchange:
Respiration in animals: the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide through the lungs in
humans.
Stomata in plants: the openings on leaves that allow for the exchange of gases with the
environment.
Transport/circulation:
Blood circulation in animals: the movement of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products through
the bloodstream in humans.
Xylem and phloem in plants: specialized tissues that transport water, nutrients, and sugars
throughout the plant.

Regulation of body fluids:

Urinary system in animals: the removal of waste products and excess fluids from the body in
humans.
Osmosis in plants: the movement of water molecules from an area of high concentration to
an area of low concentration to maintain proper water balance.

Chemical and nervous control:

Hormonal control in animals: the release of hormones to regulate various physiological
processes in humans.
Plant hormones in plants: the regulation of plant growth and development in response to
environmental cues.

Immune systems:
Immune response in animals: the activation of white blood cells to fight off infections in
humans.
Pathogen-induced defenses in plants: the production of chemical compounds and structural
modifications to protect against pathogens.

Sensory and motor mechanisms:

Vision in animals: the ability to detect light and form images in the eyes of humans.
Phototropism in plants: the ability to grow towards a light source.