Name___________________________________ Date__________ Block__________

Practice Short ANSWER

1. Explain (dont just list) two reasons why it was advantageous for plants to move out of the water and on to
land. (2 points)
One reason that it was advantageous for plants to move on land is that it can
now produce food on it's own through photosynthesis. Another reason is that
they can now reproduce by spreading their seeds around and they can then
plant on the ground.
2.
Explain two ways that roots provide an adaptive advantage for life on land? (2
points)

3. What 5 characteristics are common among all plants? (5 points)

Multi-cellular, eukaryotic, photosynthetic, and waxy cuticle.

4. Compare and contrast the structure and function of collenchyma and sclerenchyma cells. (Remember compare and contrast means tell what they have in common AND how they are different.) (2 points)
Collenchyma cells are long with unevenly thickened walls, while
sclerenchyma cells have thick and rigid walls.

5. Compare and contrast trichomes and root hairs. (3 points)

The trichomes are on the stems and leaves of plants and they help prevent
water loss, while root hairs are on roots to help absorb water for the plant.

6. List three adapatations found in plants that ARE NOT found in algae (3 points), and explain how/why they
give plants an advantage over algae (3 points).
Plants have stems which help them transport water and other materials
throughout the cell which help the whole plant have the things it needs to
survive in any given place. Another adaptation found in plants, not algae is
the ability to have seeds that are for reproducing the that plant, which will
prolong the species. The last example would be the waxy cuticle which
prevents water loss for the plant which is very useful for having the extra
water to survive.

7.

Explain two points of evidence that scientists use to support the theory that plants
probably evolved from green algae? (2 points)
One example is that both plants produce starch. Another example is that
they both have cellulose with cell walls.

8. When she was 12 years old, Mrs. Schroeder carved her initials into the bark of a tree in the forest behind her
house. The tree was 15 feet tall and 20 inches in diameter, and the initials were 2.5 feet above the ground.
When Mrs. Schroeder was 22 years old, she went back to see the tree; it had grown to a height of 28 feet and
was now 33 inches in diameter. How far above the ground were Mrs. Schroeder's initials when she was 22?
Explain why. (2 points)
Mrs. Schroeder would still see it at the exact same level it was when she was
12.

9. Explain what would happen if the xylem of a plant were to become completely blocked and why. (2 points).
The xylem transfers water from the roots to the top of the tree, so if they
were to get cut off, then the top of the tree would die.

10. Explain what would happen if you were to remove all of the dermal tissue from a plant and why. (2 points)
The dermal tissue protects the plants from harmful things, and when you
take that away, the plants are now exposed and prone to anything that
comes in it's path. Also water would be lost faster which is bad for the plant
especially if there were a drought.