Features of the Plant Kingdom

Food Production

• All members of the plant kingdom produce their own food using the process of photosynthesis. To facilitate this process, plant cells have tiny cell particles known as chlorophyll, which contain pigments known as chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b. These pigments also give plants their green color. The plant uses chlorophyll to derive energy from the sun to fuel the production of glucose, which supplies the entire plant with the nutrients it needs to function.

Cellulose

• Plant cells walls are made up of cellulose, a starchy substance that continues to give the plant strength and support after the cell itself dies. As plants grow older, the accumulated cellulose allows them to become bigger around and support more vegetative growth. In trees, cellulose is referred to as wood.

Cuticle

• The surface of all plants is covered by a wax-like layer known as the cuticle. This protective outer layer guards against infection and prevents water from leaving the plant. Since the cuticle prevents gases from entering and leaving the plant, the underside of the leaves are lined with small openings called stomata, which allow the byproducts of photosynthesis to escape from the plant.

Reproduction

• Plants reproduce sexually or through the use of spores. Because of this, plants undergo what is known as "alternation of generations." This concept explains that all plants are continually cycling through one of two stages. The first of these, known as the sporophyte stage, describes a plant that produces spores, which can grow directly into an adult plant. In the gametophyte stage, plants produce sex cells known as gametes. Unlike spores, male and female gametes must join together in order to reproduce.

Growth Pattern

• In addition to these four characteristics, the vast majority of plants grow with the same type of structure. They rely on roots to anchor them to the ground and draw up water and nutrients from the soil. The structure of the plant is then supported by some form of a stem, which contains xylem and phloem tissue for transporting nutrients from the roots to the leaves. Nearly all plants have some type of leaves, which contain chlorophyll and are crucial to the process of photosynthesis.