How Do Features like Thorns or Scent Help Identify and Protect Plants?
This section explains how certain physical features in plants, such as thorns and scent, help protect them from harm and make them easier to identify. These features play a crucial role in plant survival and interaction with the environment.
Protective Features in Plants
- Thorns:
- Protection from Animals: Thorns act as a defence mechanism, preventing animals from eating or damaging the plant.
- Example: The rose plant has sharp thorns on its stem to discourage grazing animals.
- Easy to Identify: Plants with thorns are easy to recognise by their pointed structures on stems or branches.
- Scent:
- Attracts or Repels: Fragrant scents attract helpful insects like bees for pollination, while strong or unpleasant smells can keep harmful pests away.
- Example: Jasmine and lavender have sweet scents that attract pollinators, while the smell of marigold repels insects.
- Plant Identification: Unique scents help people recognise different plants even without seeing them.
- Other Features (Bonus Insight):
- Sticky Surfaces: Some plants have sticky leaves or stems that trap insects (e.g., sundews).
- Hairy Leaves: Fine hairs on leaves can prevent insects from feeding or laying eggs.
Quiz-Friendly Examples
- The sharp structures on a plant that stop animals from eating it – Thorns
- A feature that attracts bees for pollination – Scent
- A plant known for its strong and pleasant fragrance – Jasmine
- The part that gives off a smell to keep harmful insects away – Leaves or Flowers
- A protective surface that traps insects – Sticky Leaves
