What are the Characteristics of Plants?

cellulose: nonliving substance that makes up the plant cell walls

chlorophyll: green pigment needed by a plant in order to make its own food

chloroplast: structure in the cells of a green plant that store chlorophyll

seed: reproductive structure

Figure A shows some common plants. Study the diagrams. Then answer the questions.

  1. The plants shown are ______plants.

vascular, nonvascular

  1. They ______have a tube system to transport water and dissolved nutrients.

do, do not

  1. These plants belong to the division ______.

Bryophyta, Tracheophyta

  1. Do tracheophytes have true roots, stems, and leaves? ______.
  1. Tracheophytes are ______plants.

simple, complex

Mosses hornwortliverwort

  1. Name the plants shown in Figure B. ______
  1. They are ______plants.

vascular, nonvascular

  1. These plants belong to the division ______.

Bryophyta, Tracheophyta

  1. Do bryophytes have true roots, stems, and leaves? ______
  1. Bryophytes are ______plants.

simple, complex

  1. Mosses and liverworts are examples of ______.

bryophytes, tracheophytes

MATCHING

______1. chlorophylla) made up of cellulose

______2. vascular plantsb) grow in moist, shaded areas

______3. plant kingdomc) have stems, roots, and leaves

______4. mossesd) green substances

______5. cell walle) divided into two large groups

Some of the characteristics listed in the chart below are true of tracheophytes only. Some are true only of bryophytes. Some of the characteristics are found in tracheophytes and bryophytes. Answer the question by putting a “Yes” or “No” int the space provided.

DIVISION
Tracheophyta / Bryophyta
1. / Are they vascular plants?
2. / Do their cells have cell walls?
3. / Are they nonvascular plants?
4. / Do they have a system of connecting tubes?
5. / Do their cells contain chloroplasts?
6. / Are they made up of many cells?
7. / Do they have true roots, stems and leaves?
8. / Can they make their own food?
9. / Do mosses belong to this group?
10. / Do trees belong to this group?
11. / Are they very simple plants?
12. / Are they complex plants?
13. / Do liverworts belong to this group?
14. / Do roses belong to this group?
15. / Do ferns belong to this group?

Classify each of the plants below as a gymnosperm or an angiosperm. Then write whether each has an uncovered seed or a covered seed.

Corn plantPine tree

  1. A corn plant is a ______. 2. A pine tree is a ______.

It has ______seeds. It has ______seeds.

Spruce treeTulip plant

  1. A spruce tree is a ______. 4. A tulip is a ______.

It has ______seeds. It has ______seeds.

  1. The most common gymnosperms are the ______.

evergreens, grasses

  1. Most plants reproduce by ______.

spores, seeds

  1. Angiosperms are ______.

cones, flowers

  1. Evergreens have special leaves called ______.

needles, flowers

Complete each statement using a term or terms from the list below. Write your answers in the spaces provided. Some words may be used more than once.

Dissolved nutrientsdivisionsdo notbryophytes

Leavesfoodrootscomplex

Stemsoxygencellulosevascular

Cell wallwaterchloroplastsmany

  1. There can be no life without plants. Plants give us ______and ______.
  2. The plant kingdom is divided into two large groups called ______.
  3. Plants make their own ______.
  4. Plants cells are surrounded by a rigid ______.
  5. Plant cells contain structures called ______, which contain chlorophyll.
  6. A ______system is a system of connecting tubes.
  7. In some plants, ______and ______are carried throughout the plant be a vascular system.
  8. Vascular plants are more ______than nonvascular plants.
  9. Vascular plants have true ______, ______, and ______.
  10. Nonvascular plants ______have true roots, stems, or leaves.
  11. Most food-making takes place in the ______of green plants.
  12. Plants have ______cells.
  13. Mosses, liverworts, and hornworts are ______.
  14. Chlorophyll is needed for a plant to make its own ______.
  15. The cell wall is made up of ______.