Characteristics of Plants

Why might some plants have thorns?

• to stay safe from animals that want to eat the plant

• to attract insects that spread pollen to other plants

• to take in nutrients from the air

• to provide shade for the plant

A cactus can live in the desert because of this adaptation:

• wide flat leaves to catch water

• shallow roots

• thick, waxy skin help it store water

• tendrils to reach sunlight

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The rain forest is very thick so not much sunlight reaches plants on the forest floor. So some plants will -

• have spikes to discourage animals from eating them.

• climb on other plants to reach sunlight.

• be covered in hair to keep them warm.

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Which of the following would occur first as a result of a drought?

• The tulip's stem would grow longer.

• The tulip's flowers would turn blue.

• The tulip's leaves would wilt.

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Which of the following is a characteristic of vascular plants?

• They have specialized tissue for transporting water and nutrients.

• They lack leaves.

• They only grow in desert environments.

• They have a single type of cell.

Answer explanation

Vascular plants are characterized by specialized tissues, such as xylem and phloem, that transport water and nutrients. The other options are incorrect as vascular plants can have leaves, grow in various environments, and consist of multiple cell types.

Which part of the plant is responsible for absorbing water and nutrients from the ground?

• Leaves

• Stem

• Roots

• Flowers

Answer explanation

The roots are the part of the plant that absorb water and nutrients from the soil, anchoring the plant and providing essential resources for growth. Leaves, stems, and flowers have different functions.

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Fill in the blank: All land plants are _________.

• Unicellular

• Multicellular

• Non-photosynthetic

• Single-celled

Answer explanation

All land plants are multicellular organisms, meaning they are composed of multiple cells. This distinguishes them from unicellular organisms, which consist of a single cell. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Multicellular'.

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Fill in the blank: The _______ is where leaves, flowers, cones, and buds grow.

• Leaf

• Stem

• Root

• Stomata

Answer explanation

The stem is the part of the plant where leaves, flowers, cones, and buds grow. It supports these structures and transports nutrients and water, making it the correct choice for the blank.

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Which of the following is a characteristic of nonvascular plants?

• They have true roots

• They have vascular tissue

• They live in moist areas

• They have a waxy cuticle.

Answer explanation

Nonvascular plants, such as mosses, thrive in moist areas because they lack vascular tissue for water transport. This characteristic allows them to absorb water directly from their environment, making moisture essential for their survival.

Which of the plants in the image would be nonvascular?

(Hint: Plants less than an inch tall do not need vascular tissue to transport water and nutrients.)

• Trees

• Moss

• Grass

• Ferns / Bushes

Answer explanation

Moss is a nonvascular plant, meaning it lacks vascular tissue for water and nutrient transport. It typically grows less than an inch tall, which allows it to absorb moisture directly from the environment without the need for vascular systems.