Question

Select all of the following functions that you think a plant would need to carry out in order to survive.

grow

take in nutrients from the environment

reproduce

respond to the environment

transport materials through their bodies

produce chemicals

Answer 1

All of them.

- Grow — plants increase in size and add new tissues (roots, stems, leaves).
- Take in nutrients from the environment — they absorb water, minerals and CO2 (and light) to make food.
- Reproduce — plants produce seeds, spores or vegetative offspring to continue the species (and reproduction is a basic life function).
- Respond to the environment — they alter growth and physiology (phototropism, stomatal opening, etc.) in response to light, water, touch, etc.
- Transport materials through their bodies — xylem and phloem move water, minerals and sugars around the plant.
- Produce chemicals — photosynthesis and metabolic pathways create sugars, hormones and defensive compounds the plant needs.