Plant kingdom

Features of Plant Kingdom:

• Plants are autotrophic, except for some carnivorous plants. They trap photo energy from sunlight and convert it to chemical energy through photosynthesis. Because of these plants are the main channel for supplying energy in the food chain on earth.
• Reproduction in plants can be by any of the following modes: Vegetative or Asexual, and Sexual Reproduction.
• The plant cell is unique because of the presence of cell wall and large vacuoles. Green parts of plant contain chlorophyll, which helps them in trapping the photo energy.
• Sizes of plants can vary from microscopic to a very large tree. Plants are mainly divided into Algae, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms.
  
• Lower plants, like algae and bryophytes, have thalloid structure, while higher plants, like gymnosperms and angiosperms, have clearly defined roots and stems.
• In higher plants root gives a means to anchor in the soil and helps the plant in taking minerals and water from the soil. Green leaves on the stem help them in photosynthesis.
• Most of the plant grow as a result of photosynthesis. After photosynthesis, extra food is utilized to facilitate growth.
• Usually in higher plants growth is unlimited and some taller trees can live a life of more than 1000 years.
• Being the main carbon fixation agents, plants are very important for the whole ecology.
• The whole food basket for humans is being filled by the plant kingdom. Even animal products, like milk and poultry, are indirect results of plants carbon fixation.
• Plants supply raw materials for a majority of economic activities. Wood for furniture and building materials come from plants. The whole paper industry is dependent on plant kingdom. Think of a life if there was no paper and you may understand the larger impact on human civilization.
• Angiosperms have special organs, called flower, to bear sexual parts. Flowers are helpful tool in facilitating variations and further evolution of the plant kingdom.