Know the life cycle of plants, or also called life cycle or biological cycle of plants, is very useful for agricultural and gardening practices, since it allows to make the most of the stages of the different types of plants, helping to favor their growth and development and even their reproduction. It is also something basic about plant biology that should be learned and that, in fact, is studied in schools.
At Ecologista Verde we want to help you understand this process and, therefore, in this article we explain what is the life cycle of plants in a simple way and with examples and diagrams. In addition, we will talk about both the life cycle of plants with flowers and without them.
Plant reproduction
The plant life cycle It consists of the different phases and stages that the plant goes through throughout its life. This cycle varies depending on the species in question and its mode of reproduction. Thus, there are different Plants types that reproduce differently; specifically, by sexual reproduction or asexual reproduction:
- Sexual reproduction: most plants reproduce sexually. It is characterized by the existence of differentiated sexes, so that when the sperm comes into contact with the ovum of the plant, a seed will form that will give rise to a new plant.
- Asexual reproduction: This mode of reproduction is much simpler than the previous one, since the plant is capable of reproducing itself, being able to divide and give rise to a new one.
The life cycle of plants with sexual reproduction - how they grow
1. Seed
It can be considered the first or last phase of the life cycle of the plants that reproduce sexually. We can find different types of seeds, and these can have different shapes and structures. The seeds of angiosperm plants, for example, are contained within a fleshy coating, which we know as fruit, as in the case of apples. On the other hand, gymnosperm plants show bare seeds without any protection.
2. Germination
For a seed to germinate it must have the right conditions such as, have a good substrate, a suitable temperature, water and light. In this way, when the seed has appropriate conditions, it begins to germinate. The stem begins to develop towards the sky in search of light while the root begins to develop towards the ground to get nutrients and water.
3. Growth
In plant growth, the photosynthesis occupies a fundamental role. It consists of a process in which plants are able to transform sunlight, carbon dioxide from the air, water and nutrients into energy. Thanks to this energy the plant can grow. During this growth, the roots continue to grow, the stems develop and the first leaves and flowers emerge.
4. Reproduction or pollination
In flowers are the sexual organs of plants, a male part called stamen and a female part known as pistil. When the pollen contained in the stamens comes into contact with the ovule found in the pistil, it is considered that the plant has been fertilized and a new seed will be formed.
There are different mechanisms that favor this contact, such as the movement of insects or birds that alight on the flowers. The pollen tends to stick to its legs and when they land on the next flower it comes into contact with the pistil. This is one of the reasons why flowers have colored petals and pleasant scents, in order to attract the attention of animals and attract them. In this other Green Ecologist article we will talk about what are pollinating insects and their importance.
5. Seed dispersal
Once the seed has been formed, it will be necessary for them to disperse in search of territories where they can germinate. This dispersion can be carried out thanks to the wind, water and animals, which can transport the seeds either stuck to their skin or even in the feces, when they feed on the fruits and then discard the remains.
The reproductive process of plants It is repeated throughout their lives, until they die, either due to environmental problems and circumstances or due to aging, thus ending the life cycle of plants.
The life cycle of plants with asexual reproduction
In the case of plants that reproduce asexually the cycle is different, this process being much simpler.
In the life cycle of asexual plants, the new plant is born from another, being at first a small part or fragment of that plant and becoming a completely independent organism. Therefore in this case there is no need for the sexual organs to come into contact or for there to be a genetic exchange.
This reproduction can take place through grafts, fragments of the stem of the plant that is introduced into another stem of the same or of a different species, cuttings, stems that are arranged in moist soil where they originate new roots or layered, which consists of burying the part of a plant and waiting for it to grow.
If you want to read more articles similar to The life cycle of plants, we recommend that you enter our Biology category.
