Download Plant Adaptations

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Grab a Life: Plants video questions sheet off
of the front table.
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Get out your homework or get it out of the
basket and be ready to grade.
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SPI 0807.5.2 Analyze structural, behavioral,
and physiological adaptations to predict
which populations are likely to survive in a
particular environment.
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How have plants survived on Earth for so
many years?
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What are some of the struggles plants face
in obtaining daily needs like sunlight,
water, space, etc.
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Today we will learn how plants have
adapted to survive environmental
pressures.
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Be prepared to:
Describe how specific species of
plants have adapted to survive in their
habitats.
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Grab one of each sheet off of the front table.
Define the following terms. Be sure to include
what it is, what instrument you use to measure
it, and in what units of measurement.
MASSWEIGHTVOLUMEDENSITY-
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OBJECTIVE: Analyze structural, behavioral,
and physiological adaptations to predict
which populations are likely to survive in a
particular environment.
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Structural adaptations are traits that are
part of the plant’s structure (external).
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Behavioral adaptations are the way
something acts naturally or by instinct.
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Physiological adaptations is when a plant
may change its interior body parts
chemically. (internal)
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Adaptations to get food
 Leaves and stems absorb energy from the
sun.
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Adaptations to get food
 Plants lean or grow towards the sun.
 Roots grow down into soil.
 Vines climb up trees to catch sunlight.
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Adaptations to get food
 Plants like the Venus fly trap, trap
insects for food.
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Adaptations to get water and
nutrients
 Roots soak up water and nutrients
from soil.
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Adaptations to get water and nutrients
 Desert flowers can stay dormant for months,
only coming to life when it rains.
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Adaptations for reproduction
 Brightly colored flowers with nectar attract
pollinators such as birds, bees and insects.
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Adaptations for reproduction
 Sweet fruit attracts animals that spread
seeds far away.
 Some seeds are shaped to catch the wind.
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Adaptations for reproduction
 Plants drop seeds to grow new offspring.
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Adaptations for defense
 Spines and thorns protect plants from predators
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Adaptations for defense
 Poison Ivy and Poison oak have toxins that
give predators a painful itchy rash.
 Small leaves or spines on desert plants
conserve water.
 Thick waxy skin holds in water.
 Roots near the soils surface soak up rain water
quickly before it evaporates.
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Deep roots help plants survive prairie fires.
Narrow leaves lose less water than broad
leaves.
Flexible stems bend in the wind.
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Small plants grow close to the ground for
warmth.
Dark colored flowers absorb heat from the
sun.
Fuzzy stems provide protection from wind.
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Smooth, slippery bark keeps vines from
killing trees.
Slide shaped leaves lets rain run off so fungus
doesn’t grow on plants.
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Thick bark protects trees and dropping leaves
in winter conserves water and nutrients
during cold winters.
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Flexible stems move with water currents.
Floating seeds spread offspring.
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What is a structural or behavioral plant
adaptation that allows it to get water and
nutrients?
Adaptations for reproduction?
Adaptations for defense?
Desert adaptations???
Grassland adaptations?
Rainforest adaptations?
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Complete the “Plant Adaptations”
worksheet and bring to class tomorrow.
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Where will your plant grow? (Biome)
What adaptations will your plant have?
Grading Rubric
Adaptation for defense/ protection
Adaptation for acquiring or producing food
Adaptations for reproducing
(Attracting pollinators and spreading seeds)
Adaptations for acquiring water and nutrients
Model is creative
Total points = 100
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