13.1.2 Plant Development: Cell Structure and Function

Question 1

Plant Development: Cell Structure and Function

Answer 1

• Three primary meristems that arise in the developing plant embryo include ground meristem, procambium, and protoderm.
• The structure of the different cell types that arise from the primary meristems reflect the differing functions of the cells.
• Ground meristem gives rise to parenchyma cells, sclerenchyma cells, and collenchyma cells.
• Procambium gives rise to xylem tissue, which consists of tracheids and vessel elements, and phloem tissue, which is composed of sieve-tubes and companion cells.

Question 2

meristems

Answer 2

• Meristems consist of tissue that remains in an embryonic state and continues to divide, which results in growth of the plant body. The three primary meristems that arise in the plant body are procambium, ground meristem, and protoderm.

Question 3

ground tissue

Answer 3

• The ground meristem produces ground tissue, the most abundant tissue in the plant. Ground tissue is composed of three different cell types—parenchyma, sclerenchyma, and collenchyma cells—each characterized by different features as shown in the chart to the left. Parenchyma cells are the most abundant of ground tissues

Question 4

procambium

Answer 4

• Procambium produces the vascular tissues, xylem and
  phloem. Xylem is a water-conducting tissue that is made up of two types of cells: tracheids and vessel elements. Phloem is sap-conducting tissue that is made up of sieve-tubes and companion cells.

Question 5

epidermis

Answer 5

• The protoderm is the meristem that produces dermal tissues, or the epidermis. The epidermis is the thin layer of cells that cover the surface of the plant. The epidermis secretes the cuticle, a wax-like coating on the surface of leaves and stems. Epidermal cells of the root of a plant have extensions called root hairs that increase the surface area of the root (as seen in the diagram to the left).

Question 6

The cell types that are found in phloem are

Answer 6

• sieve-tube members and companion cells.

Question 7

Which statement regarding vessel elements is true?

Answer 7

• Vessel elements are dead at functional maturity and transport water and minerals from roots to leaves.

Question 8

Cells that function in storage, secretion, and photosynthesis are

Answer 8

• parenchyma cells

Question 9

Parenchyma, sclerenchyma, and collenchyma cells all arise from the ________________.

Answer 9

• ground meristem

Question 10

Tracheids and vessel elements have all but which of the following in common?

Answer 10

• short and wide

Question 11

Which statement regarding sclerenchyma cells is true?

Answer 11

• Sclerenchyma cells are dead at functional maturity and provide structural support to plant tissues.