Plant Adaptations

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What are adaptations?

Flower

Parts of an organism or living thing that helps it survive in its environment. Adaptations are a combination of a structure plus a function. A structure is a physical part of the organism like the leaves. The function is the role or purpose of a structure like the role of the leaf is to take in sunlight.

Leaves

Fruit

Stem

Seed

Roots

Structures & Their Functions

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Directions: Watch the video. Complete the adaptations recording sheet.

Desert Plants

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Key

Structures are in green Functions are in purple

Waxy coating to trap water inside

Thick stems that can store water to use in times of drought

Small leaves and spines to reduce water being evaporated from the leaves of the plant.

Wide spread root system near the surface to take in water as soon as it rains

Arctic Tundra Plants

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Key

Structures are in green Functions are in purple

Short, sideways growing roots to quickly take in nutrients & water from the thin layer of unfrozen soil

Small leaves to reduce water being evaporated from the leaves of the plant.

Grow small & close together to protect against cold winds

Hair-like coating to protect against cold & wind

Rainforest Plants

Drip tip leaves to move water away from the plant

Key

Structures are in green Functions are in purple

Large surface roots to balance the plant and keep it from falling over

Large leaves to get rid of extra water

Tall, straight stems known as trunk to reach sunlight