Back to: Botany 100 Level
Hello, my brilliant Afrilearn scholar! I hope you’re having a fantastic day! Have you ever wondered what makes plants different from animals? Why don’t they walk around like humans or chase after food like goats and chickens? Even though plants are living things like us, they have special characteristics that make them unique. Today, we will look at the special features that define plants as a distinct group of organisms.
Characteristics That Define Plants As A Unique Group Of Organisms
What Makes Plants Unique?
Plants are living organisms that belong to the kingdom Plantae. They are different from animals because they make their own food, do not move from place to place, and have cell walls. Here are some major characteristics that make plants special:
They Make Their Own Food (Autotrophic Nutrition)
Unlike animals that need to eat food, plants produce their own food through a process called photosynthesis. They use sunlight, carbon dioxide from the air, and water from the soil to make food in their leaves. That’s why plants are called producers, while animals are called consumers. Without plants, there would be no food for humans or animals!
They Have Chlorophyll and Perform Photosynthesis
Have you noticed that most plants are green? This is because they contain a special green pigment called chlorophyll. This pigment helps plants capture sunlight to make food. Even some tiny plants, like algae, also have chlorophyll and can perform photosynthesis.
They Do Not Move from One Place to Another
Unlike animals, plants are fixed in one place because they have roots anchoring them to the soil. A goat can run to find food, but a mango tree stays in one place and depends on its leaves to make food. However, plants still respond to their environment! For example, the mimosa (touch-me-not) plant closes its leaves when touched, and sunflower plants turn towards the sun.
They Have Cell Walls
Every living thing is made up of tiny units called cells. In plants, these cells have cell walls made of cellulose, which provides strength and support. This is why plants stand upright without bones like animals! Without cell walls, plants would not be able to maintain their shape.
They Grow Continuously
Have you noticed that a small seed grows into a mighty tree over time? Unlike animals that stop growing after reaching adulthood, plants continue to grow throughout their life. Their roots, stems, and branches keep getting bigger, especially in trees like iroko and mahogany.
They Reproduce Using Spores or Seeds
Plants have unique ways of reproducing (producing new plants). Some reproduce through seeds (like maize and mango trees), while others reproduce using spores (like ferns and mosses). Some plants even grow from stems, roots, or leaves—like cassava, which is planted from stem cuttings!
They Absorb Water and Nutrients Through Roots
Plants cannot drink water like humans, so they absorb it from the soil using their roots. This water moves through the plant to help in photosynthesis and transport nutrients to different parts. That’s why dry soil causes plants to wither and die.
They Exchange Gases Through Stomata
Even though plants do not have noses like humans, they breathe! They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen through tiny openings in their leaves called stomata. This gas exchange is important because the oxygen that plants release is what we breathe to stay alive!
They Have Different Life Cycles
Some plants grow, produce seeds, and die within one season (e.g., maize), while others live for many years (e.g., coconut trees). Some plants, like bananas, produce new shoots from their roots after the main plant dies. Each plant has its own unique life cycle.
They Support Other Life Forms
Plants are essential for the survival of all other living things. They provide food, oxygen, shelter, and medicine. Without plants, animals and humans would not survive. That’s why forests and farmlands are so important in Nigeria and around the world!
Summary
Plants are unique organisms that belong to the Kingdom Plantae.
They make their own food through photosynthesis, using chlorophyll to absorb sunlight.
Plants do not move from place to place but can respond to their environment.
Their cell walls provide strength, allowing them to grow continuously.
They reproduce using seeds or spores and absorb water through roots.
They exchange gases through stomata, helping maintain oxygen levels in the environment.
Plants support life by providing food, medicine, and shelter.
Evaluation
- What is the major characteristic that makes plants different from animals?
- Why do plants appear green?
- How do plants take in water from the soil?
- What is the function of stomata in plants?
- Give three ways plants reproduce.
You are amazing! The world of plants is full of wonders, and you are learning so much! Keep going, keep growing, and always remember—you are as strong and full of potential as an oak tree! See you in the next lesson!
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