Plant Survival Strategies Slides
Plant Biology & Adaptations
Guided Notes Presentation
Extreme Plant Adaptations
Why some plants eat insects, perch high on other trees, or steal resources from host plants.
Part 1: Carnivores
Nutrient-poor bogs
Part 2: Epiphytes
Reaching canopy light
Part 3: Parasites
Stealing from hosts
PART 1
Why Some Plants Are Carnivorous
Bog Adaptations
1
Some plants are carnivorous because they live in acidic bogs where the soil lacks essential minerals.
2
Carnivorous plants do NOT eat insects for calories; they still make their own food through photosynthesis.
3
By trapping and digesting insects, carnivorous plants absorb nitrogen that the poor soil cannot provide.
4
Common examples of carnivorous plants include the Venus flytrap, pitcher plant, and sundew.
Fill-in words: minerals, photosynthesis, nitrogen, Venus flytrap Write these on your notes
PART 2
Why Some Plants Grow on Other Plants (Epiphytes)
Canopy Perchers
1
Some plants grow on other plants rather than rooting in soil because not enough sunlight reaches the ground.
2
Plants that grow harmlessly on other trees for physical height and light are called epiphytes.
3
Instead of drawing water from soil, epiphytes gather moisture directly from rain and air.
4
Common examples of harmless perching plants include tropical orchids, bromeliads, and mosses.
Fill-in words: not enough sunlight reaches the ground, epiphytes, rain and air, orchids Write these on your notes
PART 3
Why Some Plants Are Parasites (Plant Thieves)
Resource Thieves
1
Some plants are parasites and feed by stealing valuable materials from the vascular tissue of the host plant.
2
Parasites use specialized invasive roots to tap directly into the host tree's xylem and phloem.
3
By draining essential resources, parasitic plants actively harm and weaken the host plant.
4
Well-known examples of parasitic plants include mistletoe and dodder vines.
Fill-in words: vascular tissue, xylem and phloem, harm and weaken, mistletoe Write these on your notes
REVIEW
Summary: Plant Adaptations Quick Guide
Key Takeaways
Carnivorous Plants
Why? Soil lacks minerals (nitrogen).
How? They make food by photosynthesis, but trap insects for nitrogen.
Example: Venus flytrap.
Epiphytes
Why? Not enough sunlight reaches ground.
How? Perch harmlessly up high; absorb moisture from rain and air.
Example: Orchids.
Parasitic Plants
Why? Steal from host vascular tissue.
How? Tap into xylem & phloem; actively harm & weaken host.
Example: Mistletoe.
All finished! Keep these guided notes in your science binder.
Plant Biology Unit
Plant Survival Guided Notes
Extreme Plant Adaptations
Student Guided Notes • Fill-in-the-Blank
Life Science
Name:
Date:
Period:
Directions: Follow along with the slides and fill in the missing words on each line below. Every sentence matches the presentation word-for-word.
PART 1
Why Some Plants Are Carnivorous
Some plants are carnivorous because they live in acidic bogs where the soil lacks essential .
Carnivorous plants do NOT eat insects for calories; they still make their own food through .
By trapping and digesting insects, carnivorous plants absorb that the poor soil cannot provide.
Common examples of carnivorous plants include the , pitcher plant, and sundew.
PART 2
Why Some Plants Grow on Other Plants (Epiphytes)
Some plants grow on other plants rather than rooting in soil because .
Plants that grow harmlessly on other trees for physical height and light are called .
Instead of drawing water from soil, epiphytes gather moisture directly from .
Common examples of harmless perching plants include tropical , bromeliads, and mosses.
PART 3
Why Some Plants Are Parasites (Plant Thieves)
Some plants are parasites and feed by stealing valuable materials from the of the host plant.
Parasites use specialized invasive roots to tap directly into the host tree's .
By draining essential resources, parasitic plants actively the host plant.
Well-known examples of parasitic plants include and dodder vines.
Complete! Keep these guided notes in your folder or science binder.
Life Science Notes
