WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN VASCULAR AND NON-
VASCULAR PLANTS?
Let’s take a closer look.
What makes them different on the
outside and inside?
Learning Intentions Success Criteria
To understand how vascular plant cells are specialized and organized for the intake,
movement and loss of water from a plant
I can explain how the root and shoot systems are effective in transporting water through a plant
I can explain the structural and functional differences between xylem and phloem
I know the difference between
vascular and non-vascular plants
SEE IF YOU CAN OBSERVE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO PLANTS…
Take a close look….
Vascular Non Vascular
Vascular Non Vascular
Vascular Non Vascular
Vascular Non Vascular
Vascular Non Vascular
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES?
Vascular Plants Non Vascular Plants
Has roots
Has stems
Has leaves
Has vascular bundles
Can transport water
Larger in size
Is better able to store water in cells
No roots
No stems
No leaves
No vascular bundles
Are unable to transport water
Smaller in size
Must live in damp conditions
A tree is an example of a vascular plant. They have a system of tissues within them that carry water and food throughout the plant. These tissues are found in the roots, stems, and leaves of the plant.
Vascular tissue ensures that each organ – the leaves, stems, roots,
flowers and seeds –receive what they need. The organs are grouped as systems. Plants have two systems:
Shoot system: all parts of the plant found above ground – responsible for transportation, absorption, reproduction and photosynthesis
Root system: all parts of the plant found below ground – responsible for absorbing water and nutrients from the soil
Think about the largest tree you have ever seen.
How do you think the tree moves water and food through that very tall trunk?
VASCULAR TISSUE
The vascular tissues are divided into two types based on what they transport.
The phloem are vessels on the outer layer of the stem that transport food
materials such as sugars from the leaves, where they are produced, or from storage tissues, to the rest of the plant. If a tree is cut, you can often see sap seep out of the tree, and this is the contents of the phloem. If you have ever had maple syrup, it is the processed form of the sap that is found in the phloem of maple trees.