How Plants Have Adapted

• Leaves are green


  Leaf cells contain organelles called chloroplasts
• Chloroplasts


  • Contain a green pigment made of protein called chlorophyll
  • Chlorophyll absorbs light and splits water into hydrogen and oxygen
• Some leaves are red, yellow, or orange
• Leaves can change colour
• How leaves are adapted for diffusion

  1. Leaves are thin, decreasing the distance gases have to travel between the air and cells

  2. There are air spaces between cells, increasing the speed of diffusion from the air to the cells inside the leaf

  3. There are lots of stomata (pores) on the undersides of leaves
• How roots are adapted to their function

  1. Roots contain thousands of tiny root hair cells, projecting out into the soil

  2. Roots are long and thin, forming a fine network to fill the available space

  3. These features provide a high surface area to volume ratio, maximum contact with the soil, and firm anchorage
• How plants are adapted for transport

  1. Leaves are entry and exit points for the gases needed by plants

  2. Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil

  3. Stems connect the roots to the leaves, flowers and fruits, containing cells specially adapted for transportation of water, minerals and sugars