Living Things in the Biosphere

Lesson 4 - Plants and Animals

I. Form and Function

· Plants, animals, protists, and fungi are all in the Domain Eukarya.

· All made of 1 or more cells with a nucleus.

· Plants are autotrophs/Animals are heterotrophs.

· Animals move around to get food/Plants are anchored to the ground, and don't’ move.

· Scientists look at structures (form) and what they are used for (function) to help decide which Kingdom organisms belong to.

II. Characteristics of Plants

· Nearly all plants are autotrophs.

· Green algae is part of the Plant Kingdom; single celled and live in the water.

· Plants undergo photosynthesis to obtain food (sugar).

· COW → GO

· Stoma (plural stomata) - located under leaves; allow water, oxygen and carbon dioxide can move

· Special structures for plant cells

· Cell wall - strong, rigid wall around the cell.

· Vacuole - largest structure in plant cell; holds water, wasted, and food.

· Chloroplasts - where food is made.

· Chlorophyll - pigment that absorbs sunlight for photosynthesis.

A. Plant Structure

1. Leaf - used to capture light energy and gas exchange.

2. Stem - provides support and stores food; connects roots to bring water to the leaves.

3. Root - absorb water and nutrients; anchor the plant; store nutrients.

B. Vascular Plants

1. Vascular tissue (groups of cells that work together) - transport water, food, and minerals.

2. Vascular tissue strengthens the plant which allows them to grow higher.

3. Cuticle - waxy, waterproof layer that covers leaves and stems.

4. Phloem - type of vascular tissue through which food (sugar) moves.

5. Xylem - vascular tissue through which water and minerals move.

C. Nonvascular Plants

1. Low growing plants without vascular tissue.

2. Live in wet environments to absorb moisture from surroundings.

3. No true roots (roots just used to anchor plants - not for water absorption), thin cell walls.

III. Characteristics of Animals

· Organisms are classified according to DNA, body structure, and development.

· Animals are classified as either vertebrates or invertebrates.

· Vertebrates - have a backbone.

· Invertebrates - do not have a backbone.

A. Structure of Animals

1. Multicellular with many different types of tissues.

2. Complex animals have organs and organ systems.

3. Cells → tissues → organs → organ systems

4. Most animals have symmetry - balance of body parts.

B. Invertebrates

1. Most animals are invertebrates.

2. Six groups - sponges, cnidarians, worms, mollusks, arthropods, echinoderms.

3. Exoskeleton - support body on the outside of the animal.

4. Endoskeleton - support structure on the inside.

C. Vertebrates

1. Phylum Chordata - nerve cord

2. All vertebrates have three structures in common: notochord, nerve cord, throat pouches.

3. Amphibians and reptiles - ectothermic - use the environment to stay warm.

4. Birds and mammals - endotherms - control temperature internally.

5. Five major groups: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals.

6. Mammals - body temp. internally regulates, hair/fur, produces milk to feed young.

IV. Traits Unique to Animals

1. Adaptations - characteristics that organisms inherit that help them survive.

A. Adaptations for movement

1. Variety of adaptations for movement - legs, wings, muscular foot, tube foot, jet propulsion, fins.

B. Adaptations for conserving water

1. Variety of adaptations for conserving water - hold water; filter water, fresh water from food.