Basic Botany (Concept Based) Flashcards
What are some adaptations that allow plants to conserve water in arid/dry environments?
Plants in dry environments may have thick, waxy cuticles on their leaves that reduce water loss through transpiration. They may also have fewer stomata or stomata that are located on the undersides of leaves to reduce water loss. Some plants may also have specialized structures, such as spines or hairs, that create a boundary layer of still air around the plant, reducing the amount of water lost through transpiration.
What is the function of a plant’s guard cells?
Guard cells regulate the opening and closing of stomata, which controls gas exchange and water loss in the plant.
How do plants in aquatic environments obtain the necessary nutrients for growth?
Plants in aquatic environments may obtain nutrients through their roots, or they may absorb nutrients directly from the water.
How do plants in low-light environments adapt to survive?
Plants in low-light environments may have larger leaves or thinner leaves to increase surface area for photosynthesis, or they may have chloroplasts arranged in a way that maximizes their exposure to light.
How do plants regulate water loss through stomata?
Stomata are small pores on the surface of leaves that allow for gas exchange between the plant and the atmosphere. Plants regulate water loss through stomata by opening and closing them in response to environmental cues such as light, temperature, and humidity. The opening and closing of stomata is controlled by specialized cells called guard cells, which change shape to control the size of the pore. When water is scarce, plants will close their stomata to conserve water.
Explain the role of root hairs in nutrient absorption.
They greatly increase the surface area of the root system, allowing for more efficient nutrient absorption.
Describe the adaptations that allow desert plants to survive in extreme temperatures and low water availability.
- deep root system
- roots quick absorption
- thick cuticles
What is cross-pollination?
Cross-pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of a different flower on a different plant.
What is self-pollination?
Self-pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther of a flower to the stigma of the same flower.
What is fertilization in plants?
Fertilization in plants is the fusion of the male gamete (sperm) and female gamete (egg) to form a zygote, which develops into an embryo.
What is germination?
Germination is the process by which a seed sprouts and begins to grow into a new plant.
What is the function of fruit in angiosperms?
Fruit is a mature ovary that protects and helps disperse seeds produced by the plant.
What is double fertilization in angiosperms?
Two sperm cells fertilize two different structures within the female reproductive system. One sperm fertilizes the egg to form a zygote, which will develop into the embryo, while the other sperm fuses with two polar nuclei to form the endosperm, a nutritive tissue that provides food for the developing embryo.
Explain the adaptation behind seed dormancy.
This allows higher chances of germination occurring at advantageous time and place. It needs a certain environmental trigger. (e.g. hard shells, hormones, season, etc.)
Seed germination depends on imbibition. What does imbibition mean?
: process by which dry seeds or plant materials absorb water, causing them to swell and become soft.
: initiates embryo growth via releasing essential nutrients
