Plants exhibit amazing diversity and adaptations for life on land. Studying plant physiology and morphology concepts covered in NCERT class 11 biology and NCERT solutions for class 11 biology provides insight into the remarkable strategies plants have evolved.
Photosynthesis - Using Light to Build Food
As covered in NCERT class 11 biology, photosynthesis allows plants to harvest light energy and fix CO2 into carbohydrates. Light-dependent reactions split water, releasing oxygen, protons, and electrons to generate ATP and NADPH. The Calvin cycle uses these products to fix CO2 into glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate which is converted into glucose. This energetically uphill process fuels life on Earth.
Plant Nutrition and Transport
Unlike animals, plants make their food. However, NCERT Solutions for class 11 biology explains how plants require supplemental inorganic nutrients like nitrates, phosphates, calcium and iron from their root environment. Transport systems including the xylem for water and minerals and the phloem for glucose-nutrients distribute these essential substances across plant bodies.
Sensitive Flora - Plant Responses to Stimuli
Plants lack specialized sensory organs but respond elegantly to diverse stimuli. NCERT class 11 biology covers processes like phototropism bending shoots toward the light, the nasty where leaves fold in hot weather, and thigmonasty or tendril coiling following touch. Phytohormones like auxins and gibberellins mediate growth and responses through signal transduction pathways.
Form Defines Function - Plant Morphology
Exploring plant morphology in NCERT class 11 biology provides insights into how plant structures are adapted to specific functions. For example, thin, flat leaves maximize light exposure for photosynthesis. Roots with root hairs increase surface area for absorption. Vascular tissue forms continuous highways for transport. Flowers contain sexual reproductive organs suited for pollination.
Studying plants reveals exciting mechanisms underlying their survival, longevity and ecological importance.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs on Plants
Q1. What are the light-dependent and light-independent reactions in photosynthesis?
A1. Light-dependent reactions occur in the thylakoid membrane to generate ATP and NADPH. Light-independent reactions or Calvin cycle fixes CO2 into glucose using those products.
Q2. How does water reach great heights in tall plants?
A2. Transpiration pull facilitated by cohesion and adhesion properties of water enable mass flow against gravity to transport water from roots to shoots.
Q3. What are phytohormones? Give examples.
A3. Phytohormones are plant hormones that regulate growth and development. Examples are auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, and abscisic acid.
Q4. What causes phototropism in plants?
A4. Uneven light exposure causes higher auxin accumulation on the shaded side, promoting cell elongation and bending the shoot toward light.
Q5. What are the main parts of a flowering plant?
A5. Flowering plants contain roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds as main parts. Each part has specific adaptive structures.