Among the main characteristics of the plants highlights the fact that they are living beings . That is, they are born, reproduce and die. In addition, they are autotrophic organisms, which means that they create their own food through the photosynthesis .
The plants do not have locomotive capacity; that is, they can not move by themselves. They are subject to the substrate or other structures thanks to their roots. However, they do exhibit movements, such as tropisms and the nastias.
Another characteristic of these organisms is that they have particular cells called vegetables cells , which are equipped with a cell wall that provides rigidity and stability to the body.
Added to this, you can play both sexually as asexually . Some plants are subject to a complex process called alternation of generations, which is part of the life cycle from the same.
The alternation of generations is a phenomenon that consists in the existence of two consecutive generations of a species: one will reproduce sexually, while the other will asexually.
The 10 main characteristics of a plant
1- Autotrophic organisms
the plants are autotrophic organisms , so they are able to synthesize their own food.
Photosynthesis is the process by which plant organisms produce food substances.
In order for photosynthesis to take place, the presence of three elements is necessary: sunlight, water and carbon dioxide.
At first, sunlight is transformed into chemical energy, while water molecules are separated into hydrogen and oxygen; the latter is released into the environment.
Subsequently, with the intervention of chemical energy, hydrogen joins with carbon dioxide.
The result is a molecule of glucose (food for plants) and six oxygen molecules that are released into the environment.
2- Present plant cells
The cells of plants are called plant cells. These differ from others Cell types because they have a cell wall. This is a rigid membrane composed of cellulose.
Thanks to the cell wall, the plant regulates the passage of water and other substances. In addition, membrane rigidity gives the body stability.
3- They realize the breath
In plants, breathing is a process that allows you to recover the energy lost during photosynthesis.
For this the plants oxidize the glucose and obtain chemical energy, water and carbon dioxide.
4- Alternation of generations
Many plants carry out a complex process called alternating generations.
It is a cycle in which two different generations of the same species follow each other. One of the generations will reproduce sexually, while the other will asexually.
The process is the following:
- A diploid organism (sporophyte) produces spores. One of these spores germinates and gives rise to a haploid organism. This reproduction is asexual.
- The haploid organism (gametophyte) produces gametes that join with other gametes, giving as origin a diploid organism, and thus begins the cycle again. This reproduction is sexual.
5- Develop defense mechanisms
The plants develop a series of structures to protect themselves from predators. For example, some cover the stems with thorns and others release repellent or toxic substances.
6- They have a structure formed by root and aerial parts
In general terms, the plants are formed by:
- A root, which attaches it to the substrate.
- A stem, aerial part of the plant that provides support to the other structures of the same (leaves, fruits, among others).
- Leaves, which are aerial structures equipped with chloroplasts that allow photosynthesis to take place.
7- They have conductive tissues
The upper plants have conductive tissues. These can be of two types:
- Xilema , the woody fabric that carries brute sap .
- Floema, the tissue that transports elaborated SAP .
8- Produce flowers and fruits
The flowers are reproductive organs of the plant. When these are fertilized, they are transformed into fruits.
These are containers of seeds, covered with carnosities, like the apple; or woody tissue, like acorns.
9- Equipped with sensitivity
Plants are sensitive to changes that occur within themselves, as well as changes in environmental conditions.
This element is present in all living beings and is essential because it allows organisms to detect faults in their functioning, realize environmental changes and adapt to these, among other actions.
The receiving organisms of plants are less specialized than those of animals. However, they are efficient at detecting variations in atmospheric pressure, temperature and light.
10- Lacking locomotion, but they present movements
The plants are not endowed with locomotive structures, because they are usually subject to the substrate thanks to the root.
However, they present a series of movements. Some of these are tropisms and nastias.
Tropisms
The tropisms are movements that the plant makes in response to an external stimulus. The type of movement performed is orientation, which means that the individual goes to the source of the stimulus or moves away from it.
There are two types of tropisms:
- Positive, when the structure of the organism approaches the stimulus.
- Negative, when directed in the opposite direction to the stimulus.
If the type of stimulus is taken into account, one can speak of:
- Phototropism, if the stimulus is light.
- Geotropism, if the stimulus is the force of gravity.
- Haptotropism, when it is produced by contact with other individuals or objects.
Nastias
Nastias are also responses to external stimuli. They differ from tropisms because the movement generated is not orientation. They may be:
- Photonastias, movements caused by light. An example of this is the opening and closing of the flowers according to the solar intensity.
- Haptonastias, which occur when an external agent touches the plant. For example, carnivorous plants close their traps when they feel something settled on them.
- Nictinastias, caused by the passage from day to night and vice versa. Many plants enter the state of prostration during the night and then rise during the day.
References
- Alternation of Generations. Retrieved on December 8, 2017, from libertyprepnc.com
- Characteristics of Living Things. Retrieved on December 8, 2017, from cliffsnotes.com
- Characteristics of Plants. Retrieved on December 8, 2017, from sparknotes.com
- Characteristics of Plants & Animals. Retrieved on December 8, 2017, from sciencing.com
- Plant cell. Retrieved on December 8, 2017, from wikipedia.org
- The essential characteristics of plants. Retrieved on December 8, 2017, from botanyprofessor.blogspot.com
- What Are the Ten Characteristics of Living Organisms? Retrieved on December 8, 2017, from sciencing.com