Stayin' ALIVE STAYIN' ALIVE
ADAPTATION/NUTRITION
To be able to thrive in its habitat,
lychees have adaptations that allow them to
flourish!
Plants need food too!
Xylem and Phloem
Lychees need a xylem and phloem, because they are considered to be vascular plants. These two structure evolved plants moved from the water onto the land. They needed something to transport water and nutrients to allow it to survive. The xylem helps keep the plants hydrated by having the water pulled up by the xylem. Many people think the xylem is actually being pushed up the plant by pressure, but remember it is being pulled. The water is able to be pulled up all thanks to T (Transpiration), A (adhesion), C (cohesion, T(tension) also known as TACT. While the phloem is responsible for transferring nutrients and sugars to the plants. Sieve tube, Companion cells, and plasmodesmata are the specialized cells that help transport things in the phloem. The sieve tubes are where the nutrients are flowing and the companion cells help add energy and enzymes to metabolize it since the sieve tubes cannot. Then the plasmodesmata helps connect these specialized cells together. The osmotic potential difference then allows the nutrients to transfer and go to the leaves. Below is an illustration of the xylem and phloem.
Leaves
The leaves can help the lychees store water and give it shade so it is not easily dried out. The way the leaves in lychee trees grow, they start to droop, which allows them to give good shading for the fruit.
Root System
They have two root systems: vertical tap roots and skeleton roots. Vertical tap roots can grow a couple feet under ground which can help in aiding nutrients and water. It is usually when the tree reaches maturity that the vertical tap roots start growing. On the other hand, if you have skeleton roots a lychee tree does not posses vertical tap roots. Skeleton roots do not go very deep into the soil compared to the vertical tap roots. The root system also allows for gas exchange. To learn more about its two root systems check out this website.
They have two root systems: vertical tap roots and skeleton roots. Vertical tap roots can grow a couple feet under ground which can help in aiding nutrients and water. It is usually when the tree reaches maturity that the vertical tap roots start growing. On the other hand, if you have skeleton roots a lychee tree does not posses vertical tap roots. Skeleton roots do not go very deep into the soil compared to the vertical tap roots. The root system also allows for gas exchange. To learn more about its two root systems check out this website.
Photosynthesis
The process of photosynthesis is used by autotrophic organisms to help get its nutrition. Only organisms that contains chloroplasts can use photosynthesis. Usually there are a lot of chloroplasts inside the leaves. For photosynthesis to work, the plant needs carbon dioxide, water, and energy which they get from the sunlight. The chlorophyll captures the sunlight and convert it into glucose in the stoma. Once glucose is created it can store it or use it to make things like lychee. Below is an illustration on how photosynthesis takes place. To learn more more about photosynthesis through this illustration go here!
The process of photosynthesis is used by autotrophic organisms to help get its nutrition. Only organisms that contains chloroplasts can use photosynthesis. Usually there are a lot of chloroplasts inside the leaves. For photosynthesis to work, the plant needs carbon dioxide, water, and energy which they get from the sunlight. The chlorophyll captures the sunlight and convert it into glucose in the stoma. Once glucose is created it can store it or use it to make things like lychee. Below is an illustration on how photosynthesis takes place. To learn more more about photosynthesis through this illustration go here!
This fungi takes nutrients from the roots, but in return it helps them increase the trees development. It helps the roots increase their surface area so they can absorb more nutrients and help decompose any organic matter. They also lend a helping hand by keeping them from becoming dehydrated and making sure they are protected from harmful diseases.
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