What is the difference between vascular and non-vascular plants?
Plants are part of the Plantae kingdom, and they exist all around Earth. Plants are important as they release oxygen that we breathe, and they eliminate harmful toxins. Moreover, plants are producers; therefore, they are a source of food for many animals. Plants make their food via the process of photosynthesis.
Plant cells are eukaryotic cells. These are big and complex cells that have membrane-bound organelles. The genetic material is enclosed in a nucleus. Plant cells have organelles, these organelles are structures that perform different functions in the cell. Plant cells have regular shapes. Some plants can be vascular or non-vascular.Â
What are the parts of a plant?
Parts of a plant:
- Roots
- Stem
- Leaves
- Flower
- Fruit
Roots
The roots of a plant help to keep the plant anchored into the ground. This prevents it from being blown away. Roots are also important for nutrition because they contain root hairs, which absorb water and minerals from the soil. The water and nutrients then travel through the plant. In some plants, the roots can also be used for food storage.Â
StemÂ
The stem of a plant provides support and helps to keep the plant standing upright. This is important because plants need to stay upright in order to absorb sunlight. The stem is also required for the nutrition of the plant, this is because it transports the water and nutrients from the root to the leaves and flowers. So after the roots have absorbed water and nutrients from the soil, the stem allows them to be carried up to the leaves. The xYlem and phloem make up the vascular tissue of plants. Xylem transports water and mineral salts, whereas phloem transports nutrients.Â
Leaves
The leaves of a plant are very important as this is where the process of photosynthesis takes place. Photosynthesis is the leaves use sunlight, carbon dioxide (CO2), and water (H2O), to create glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2). This is essential for the plant to survive and grow; therefore, the leaves are required for nutrition. Leaves are usually big and flat in order to absorb a lot of sunlight for photosynthesis. The epidermis of the leaves secretes a waxy substance that protects the leaf from bacteria, insects, and any other pests.Â
Flower
Flowers are the reproductive organs of a plant. Flowers have petals that help to protect the parts of the flower. The petals are usually brightly coloured and have a nice scent. This is important as it attracts pollinators. The flowers are also involved in producing seeds and fruit. Plants have male and female parts which are required for the process of reproduction.
There are two types of plants: vascular and non-vascular.Â
Vascular plants
Vascular plants are plants that have specialised vascular tubes to transport water and food around a plant. There are two types of vascular tubes: phloem and xylem.Â
Tubes that carry food from the leaves to the rest of the plant are known as phloem. Tubes that carry water and nutrients from the roots to the other parts of a plant are known as the xylem. These types of plants are usually tall and are found on land.Â
Trees and ferns are examples of vascular plants.Â
Non-vascularÂ
Non-vascular plants are plants that don’t have specialised vascular tubes; therefore, these types of plants don’t carry their materials through tubes. They are usually small and are found in damp and moist areas. These types of plants get their nutrients by slowly passing them from one cell to another cell.
Moss is an example of non-vascular plant.Â
There are two types of plants: vascular and non-vascular.Â
Vascular plants
Vascular plants are plants that have specialised vascular tubes to transport water and food around a plant. There are two types of vascular tubes: phloem and xylem.Â
Tubes that carry food from the leaves to the rest of the plant are known as phloem. Tubes that carry water and nutrients from the roots to the other parts of a plant are known as the xylem. These types of plants are usually tall and are found on land.Â
Trees and ferns are examples of vascular plants.Â
Non-vascularÂ
Non-vascular plants are plants that don’t have specialised vascular tubes; therefore, these types of plants don’t carry their materials through tubes. They are usually small and are found in damp and moist areas. These types of plants get their nutrients by slowly passing them from one cell to another cell.
Moss is an example of non-vascular plant.Â
