plant adaptations

 Plants forever changing

11/6/2022

The world is changing because of Mother Nature and human interference.

In the beginning all of the plants were in the ocean, then slowly made the transition to land by developing four key parts. First the cuticle which prevented them from drying out. Then they developed a vascular system which dug deep in the ground and helped support the plant and provided water. After that came the seed which was part of the reproductive system. Finally the flower which was a carrier for the seed.

"Plant adaptations to life on land include the development of many structures — a water-repellent cuticle, stomata to regulate water evaporation, specialized cells to provide rigid support against gravity, specialized structures to collect sunlight, alternation of haploid and diploid generations, sexual organs, a multicellular embryo protected by parental tissue, a vascular transport system, and rhizoids, roots and root hairs essential for the absorption of nutrients and anchoring to the substrate"(Vazquez, 2016). This is evidence of some of the many evolutions plants have developed to be able to live on land.

But not all evolutions are for the transition of water to land.

These evolutions have led to the flowers and plants that we all love today.

Evolutions can be very different like the ones described above were for plants moving to land, Some are more defense mechanisms. "The team’s experiments on species of land plants and algae indicate this alarm system helps plant species protect against drought by triggering the closure of stomata, which are pores that release water vapor and take in carbon dioxide." (ANU 2019) In this example researchers found a mechanism in plants that told them when a drought was impending. Because of the alarm system the plant has developed they know when to store water so this evolution helps in the survival.

There is evidence of plant evolution in fossils, So scientist can see what has changed over time.

"The evolutionary history of plants is recorded in fossils preserved in lowland or marine sediments. Some fossils preserve the external form of plant parts; others show cellular features; and still others consist of microfossils such as pollen and spores."(Brittanica 2012) According to this quote many parts of the plant can be fossilized. And as we find new fossils we discover how plants have changed and what direction they go.

Plants are a vital part of our ecosystem and we need to see where they have come so we as people can try and help them. Plants produce pollen which can be bad for people allergies is a key ingredient in the production of honey. Pollen is the male gamete in plants so it floats around to other plants so they can reproduce. Plants have evolved to have this gamete available which is a incredible process that has taken a very long time.

 Plants have come along way in life, because they made the transition from water to land through a series of evolution processes. Which is what made plants what they are today. They had to develop cuticles, vascular systems, seeds, and Flowers to be able to live and reproduce on land. Also not all evolutions were for the transition from water to land. Such as the drought detection system which is an incredible mechanism that has really helped plants. These evolutions have all come together for on common cause the preservation and protection of plants the foundation of our ecosystem.

References

The Australian National University. (n.d.). Research School of Biology. How did plants conquer land? | ANU Research School of Biology. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://biology.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/how-did-plants-conquer-land 

Arteaga-Vazquez, M. A. (2016, January 11). Land Plant Evolution: Listen to your elders. Current Biology. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982215014761 

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Evolution and Paleobotany. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/plant/plant/Evolution-and-paleobotany