Glossary Flashcards
Cryptogams are
Non flowering plants
What do locants (e.g., (1→2), (1→3)) specify in polysaccharides?
They designate the points of linkage between two neighboring sugar residues in a polysaccharide.
What does ‘acropetal’ mean?
‘Acropetal’ means ‘towards the apex.’
What does ‘adventitious’ describe?
‘Adventitious’ refers to something arising in an abnormal position, such as roots growing from a stem or leaf cutting.
What is the aleurone layer in cereal grains?
The outer layer of the endosperm, the only living part, secreting amylases to break down starch.
What are angiosperms?
Angiosperms are seed plants with seeds enclosed in a fruit.
What is the apoplast in a plant?
The apoplast is the non-living part external to the plasma membrane, including cell walls, intercellular spaces, and dead cells like xylem.
What does ‘basipetal’ mean?
‘Basipetal’ means ‘towards the base,’ opposite of acropetal.
What is a bioassay?
A bioassay is a test for a substance based on its ability to induce a response in living cells.
What is the cambium?
The cambium is a cylinder of meristematic tissue in woody plants responsible for secondary growth, forming most of the wood and bark.
What is the Casparian strip?
The Casparian strip is a band of suberin (waxy substance) on the radial walls of endodermal cells, preventing uncontrolled movement of solutes into the vascular system.
Endoderm cells are specialized plant cells that form the endodermis, a key layer in roots and some stems. The endodermis acts as a selective barrier regulating the movement of water, ions, and nutrients between the soil and the plant’s vascular system (xylem and phloem).
What is cellulose?
Cellulose is a crystalline polysaccharide [β-(1→4)-D-glucan] forming the primary component of plant cell walls.
What are collenchyma cells?
Collenchyma cells are plant cells in the cortex with unevenly thickened cell walls, providing structural support.
What are companion cells in phloem?
Companion cells are nucleated, protoplasmic (living) cells adjacent to sieve tubes, essential for their function.
What is the cuticle in plants?
The cuticle is a hydrophobic layer on the outer surface of plant cells, preventing water and gas loss.
