The world around us is colorful and diverse. The nature that we see every day is actually a huge kingdom, part of which are plants. Sometimes we admire them, sometimes we simply don’t notice, but the fact remains: plants are a separate world surrounding us. It lives and multiplies according to its own separate laws, but without it neither animals nor people would exist .
What it is?
Surely each of us knows the names of some plants and how they look in reality. Many people can easily distinguish a chestnut leaf from acacia, a tulip flower from a poppy. But only the science of botany can give an answer to what species, family or class this or that plant belongs to, its habitat and other nuances unknown to an ordinary person.
In fact, plants are multicellular structures that were placed by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle in the class of living organisms that cannot move. As we know, plants are characterized by growth and development, but not spatial movement.
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 there are a huge number of plants in the world (about 320,000 species, and according to other sources, there are about 350 thousand), there are still parameters by which almost all such organisms are classified:
- Dense cellulose membranes inherent in cells.
- The presence of a chloroplast with a green pigment, due to which photosynthesis occurs, and, as a result, green staining of the leaves is observed.
- Plants cannot move in space.
- The growth of these organisms occurs continuously, the entire life cycle.
- The regulation of plant life is carried out due to phytohormones.
Plant diversity
As already mentioned, science knows a huge number of representatives of the flora. Plant species are those organisms that have some common traits that are inherited. For example, lilies of the valley are considered to be monotonous: May, silver, Transcaucasian. Thus, not only plants are classified, but also animals, as well as other living things.
A species is united into a clan, a clan into a family, a family into order, an order into a class, a class into a department, and that, in turn, into groups. Higher plants are those organisms that have 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 a genealogy is inherent in all plants, without exception.
There are species unknown to science, those that are discovered every year by scientists from around the world, are investigated and fall into the general classification. If there are no such 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 endangered or endangered. They are listed in the Red Book.
In addition to the variety of species, plants also differ in their life form - the appearance that we are used to seeing around us. These are trees, shrubs, creepers, shrubs, succulents and herbs. 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 structure system. 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, and occasionally, flowers, from which fruits can develop. Some species, such as rose hips, rose bushes and acacia, have thorns. They perform a protective function for plants so that they cannot be eaten by animals or damaged by humans.
The underground and aboveground parts of plants
The root of the plant is the main source of vitality. It is most often located underground and nourishes the body with moisture and nutrients. Without this part, the plant will simply perish. Thanks to the root, some types of plants can be propagated. Without him they will perish. For example, a fern, even if it was dug from the ground, can grow again next year near the place where its predecessor grew.
A stem leaves from the root. On it are the remaining parts that have higher plants. This is an important component of living organisms, because through it water, minerals enter the leaves, flowers and fruits, and plant juice circulates. If the root is not enough nutrients, the stem will be sluggish and undeveloped, or even die.
Aboveground shoots, although modified, can be called buds (the beginnings of the stem from which the shoots grow), thorns (short shoots with a sharp end - a rose, wild rose), tendrils (grapes), cladodes (in cacti) and pseudobulbs (thickening near the ground in some orchids).
Underground stems are divided into rhizomes (different types of trees), tubers (potatoes), stolons (adoxa), bulbs (onions, lily), corms (gladiolus). In some species, they serve only for propagation, in others - as a support base for leaves.
Another part that characterizes higher plants is the leaf. This is the name of the external organ that is involved in photosynthesis, which 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 save the pistils and stamens, pollinate them, so that later on the fruit appears in its place. Such a metamorphosis is inherent in fruit trees and some bushes.
In other representatives of the flowering, it is in the flower itself, at the base of the pestle, that there are ovules where 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, which are necessary for normal life and development. Studying all the fruits of a special science - carpology. After all, their classification is very diverse and extensive.
It is in the fruit that the seed of the plant is often found. It is formed from the ovule and is the part due to which the population of the species will continue. Plant seeds are the embryos of the future organism, which will be born in the next period of growth.
Why are plants needed?
Without the plant world there would be no animals, no humans. This is their main role on our planet. Plants are those organisms that absorb solar energy, turning it into useful substances for themselves. They are also characterized by the ability to process air. Absorbing harmful carbon dioxide, they emit oxygen. Therefore, we can confidently say that thanks to plants, the entire terrestrial ecosystem exists.
Plants are food for animals and humans. Without them, there would be no life. For this reason, domestication of plants occurs, their cultivation. After all, not every one of them can be consumed, as, for example, it was with potatoes that grew on plantations in America in a completely unsuitable form for food. But when he was brought to Europe and domesticated, he became the main vegetable among the inhabitants of our planet.
Environmental protection
Plants are not only famous for processing harmful gas into oxygen. They also have a very positive effect on energy production by other ecosystems. Plants - this is the 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 verge of survival. Therefore, such organisms are very useful for food purposes.
In addition, they are invaluable to 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. It is presented for the holidays, grown on window sills and admired by the colorful tints and unique aroma.
Conclusion
An important role in the ecosystem of the planet is occupied by all plants. Insects feed on their pollen. In general, without plants, life on Earth would not exist at all.