Plants are what? Types of plants

The world surrounding us is diverse. The nature that we see every day is in fact a huge kingdom, part of which are plants. Sometimes we admire them, sometimes we just do not notice, but the fact remains that plants are a separate world that surrounds us. He lives and multiplies according to his own, separate laws, but without him there would be neither animals nor people.

What it is?

For sure, each of us knows the names of some plants and how they look in reality. Many people will easily distinguish a leaf of a chestnut from an acacia, a flower of a tulip from a poppy. But only the science of botany can give an answer to which species, family or class the plant belongs to, will name its habitat and other nuances unknown to the average person.

In fact, plants are multicellular structures that are placed by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle in the class of living organisms that do not know how to move. As we know, plants are characterized by growth and development, but not displacement in space.

There is no exact definition of this name, but all scientists come to the conclusion that plants are a separate unique organism. Thanks to it other ecosystems do not disappear from nature, moreover, they normally develop and function.

Signs of plants

Despite the fact that in the world there is a huge number of plants (about 320 000 species, and according to other data, there are about 350 thousand of them), there are still parameters on which almost all such organisms are classified:

• Dense shells of cellulose, inherent in cells.
• The presence of chloroplast with a green pigment, through which photosynthesis occurs, and, as a result, a green color of the leaves is observed.
• Plants can not move in space.
• The growth of these organisms occurs constantly, the entire life cycle.
• The regulation of the vital activity of plants is carried out at the expense of phytohormones.

Plant variety

As already mentioned, science knows a lot of representatives of the flora. The kind of plants are those organisms that have some common features that are inherited. For example, single-species are lilies of the valley: May, silver, Transcaucasian. Thus, not only plants are classified, but also animals, as well as other living things.

The species is united into a family, the family into a family, the family into order, order to the class, the class to the department, and the one in turn into groups. Higher plants are those organisms that have a complex differentiation. They are divided into root, leaves and stem (or trunk).

The complete opposite of the higher kingdom is the lower plants - those that live in water, do not have roots, flowers, stems. They can be either unicellular or very large, reaching 50-60 m in length. Such genealogy is inherent in all plants without exception.

There are species unknown to science, those that are opened every year by scientists from all over the world, are investigated and fall into the general classification. If there are no similar organisms in this classification, a new one is created. There are also plants that disappear from the face of the planet. Such species are called vanishing or endangered. They are recorded in the Red Book.

In addition to the diversity of species, plants also differ in their life form - the external appearance that we are accustomed to see around us. These are trees, bushes, creepers, half-shrubs, succulents and grasses. Each of these forms has its own structure.

What the plant consists of

Each plant has its own unique structure. Depending on the species, it changes. Some of them are unicellular, while others have a complex system of structure. For example, a tree is a plant belonging to the highest category. It has several components and is one of the most complex representatives of the flora.

Despite this, most plants consist of a root, stem or trunk (in trees and shrubs), leaves, occasionally - flowers, from which fruits can develop. Some species, such as rose hips, rose bushes and acacia, have spines. They perform a protective function for plants, so that they can not eat animals or damage people.

Underground and above ground parts of plants

The root of the plant is the main source of vitality. It is most often underground and nourishes the body with moisture and nutrients. Without this part, the plant will simply perish. Due to the root, several plant species can be propagated. Without it, they will perish. For example, a fern, even if it was dug from the ground, the next year may again grow near the place where his predecessor grew.

The stem leaves the root. On it are the remaining parts, which have higher plants. This is an important component of living organisms, because water, minerals enter the leaves, flowers and fruits, and vegetable juice circulates. If the root does not have enough nutrients, the stem will be sluggish and undeveloped or even die.

The above-ground shoots, although modified, can be called kidneys (stem rudiments from which sprouts grow), thorns (short shoots with a sharp end - rose, rosehip), antennae (grapes), cladodia (in cacti) and pseudobulbs (thickening near the ground Some orchids).

Underground stems are divided into rhizomes (different types of trees), tubers (potatoes), stolons (adox), bulbs (onions, lilies), corms (gladiolus). In some species they serve only for reproduction, in others they support the base for the leaves.

Another part that characterizes the higher plants is a leaf. So called the external organ, which is involved in photosynthesis, can retain moisture and nutrients.

Flower, fruit, seed ...

These parts of the plant are called generative, that is, reproductive. It is thanks to them that the life of the species on Earth continues. When a certain time comes for each plant, a flower appears on it, which means that this organism is ready for pollination and further reproduction. The complex structure of the flower allows you to keep pistils and stamens, pollinate them, so that in future a fetus appears in its place. Such a metamorphosis is inherent in fruit trees and some bushes.

In the other representatives of the flowering plants, in the very flower, at the base of the pistil, are the ovules, where the seeds develop. Representatives of this type of plant are wheat, poppy and others.

The fruit of the plant is the last stage in the development of the flower. It contains many substances useful to the human body that are necessary for normal life and development. The special science - carpology studies all fruits. After all, their classification is very diverse and extensive.

It is in the fruit is often the seed of the plant. It is formed from the ovule and is the part by which the population of the species will continue. Plant seeds are the embryos of the future organism that will be born in the next period of growth.

Why do we need plants?

Without the plant world, there would be neither animals nor man. This is their most important role on our planet. Plants are those organisms that absorb solar energy, turning it into useful substances. They are also characterized by the ability to process air. By absorbing harmful carbon dioxide, they release oxygen. Therefore, we can say with certainty that due to the plants there is a whole terrestrial ecosystem.

Plants are food for animals and humans. Without them, there would be no life. For this reason, the domestication of plants, their acculturation. After all, not all of them can be consumed, as, for example, it was with potatoes, which grew on plantations of America in a completely unfit for food form. But when it was brought to Europe and domesticated, it became the main vegetable of the inhabitants of our planet.

Environmental protection

Not only the processing of harmful gas into oxygen is famous for plants. They also have a very positive effect on energy production by other ecosystems. Plants are a real oxygen mask of our planet, which supports life support on it.

In addition, representatives of the flora are the main food for many herbivores. Without eating meat, they would be on the brink of survival. Therefore, such organisms are very useful for food purposes.

In addition, they are invaluable for the soil. A tree is a plant that, with its long roots, helps prevent soil erosion, keeps river banks from shedding.

A flower is a plant that brings a lot of positive emotions. He is given on holidays, grown on windowsills and admire colorful overflows and unique aroma.

Conclusion

An important role in the ecosystem of the planet is occupied by all plants. Their pollen is fed by insects. In general, without plants life on Earth would not exist at all.