Lab 3: Plant Anatomy And Function Flashcards
What is the major function of the Cortex?
Storage of starch
What is the major function of Xylem
The transport of water and minerals AND provides support for the root etc
What is the major function of Phloem?
Transport of sugar and vitamins
Most of the absorption is done by what part of roots?
Root hairs
Why are roots found in the first 15 cm of soil?
Surface soil contains more minerals (from organic materials,) and more oxygen (used for root respiration and growth of mycorrhizae)
What is the function of mycorrhizae?
To supply the plant with water and minerals it otherwise wouldn’t have access to and even provide some protection for the roots
What are the main functions of roots?
Supply the plant with water, and minerals, anchor the tree into the ground, and in some cases store starch.
How is a Taproot adapted to serve their basic functions?
Can dig down deeper, so the plant has greater access to get access to a greater store of water and minerals
How is a fibrous root adapted to serve its basic function?
Can cover more surface area, and so has better access to water and minerals
Suggest a way that the taproot system can adapt during a dry spell?
The taproot system could dig down even deeper, and get better access to water and minerals
What is the major function of the epidermis?
Prevents transpiration
Why does Xylem stain red?
Xylem stains red because of the lignin strengthening its cell walls
In non-woody Eudicot stems how are the vacular bundles arranged?
In non-woody eudicot stems, vascular bundles are arranged in ring shape
Ground tissue between vascular bundles in Eudicots is called what?
Cortex
Ground tissue found in the middle of the stem, where there are no vascular bundles is called what?
Pith
What two different types of cells have lignin in them?
Xylem cells, and Sclerenchyma cells
What is one of the functions of cells that contain lignin in their cell walls?
To provide support for the plant
What is the function of the outer cortex?
Under go photosynthesis
What is the function of the inner tissue?
To act as filler tissue
Name the cells that regulate the openings through the stem epidermis, allowing gas exchange.
Guard cells
How are the Vascular Bundles of Monocots arranged?
Scattered through out the ground tissue
Do Monocots have Vascular Cambium?
Monocot stem cells do NOT have Vascular Cambium because they do not produce wood
When is primary xylem produced?
During the first year of growth
What’s an example of a phylum of Eudicots that has a woody stem?
Conifers
Where is primary xylem found?
Primary xylem is the inner most layer of xylem
Where is primary phloem found?
Primary phloem is the outer most layer of phloem
Starting from epidermis to pith, what is the order of the tissue?
Epidermis,cortex,primary phloem, secondary phloem, vascular cambium, secondary xylem, primary xylem, pith
How does the production of wood improve a plants ability to survive in its environment?
Wood production means that there is alot of xylem, which means there is a greater ability to transport water and provides the plant with more stability. Both increase the amount of photosynthesis possible and thus increase the plants chance of survival.
Under what conditions is advantageous to have a large, flat leaf?
In a hot, moist environment; amazonian rain forest
Under what conditions is it advantageous to have a narrow, needle like, leaf?
In a cool, dry environment
What is the major function of palisade mesophyll?
Undergo photosynthesis, and provide the leaf with strength and support (it’s column shaped and green)
What is the function of spongy mesophyll?
Undergo photosynthesis, and the airspaces between them allow for gas exchange
What is the function of the cuticle?
To lock in moisture, so that transpiration is minimized and create a protective water proof barrier from harmful microbes etc
Which leaf cells lack chloroplasts?
Xylem, phloem, epidermis
What is the function of guard cells?
Regulates the open and close of the stoma thus allowing for gas exhange
Where on the actual privet leaves are the stoma located?
At the bottom of the leaf where the stoma are so that the sun does not hit them directly and so transpiration is minimized
What is the function of carnivorous leaves?
Trap insects for nitrogen
What is the function of modified succulent leaves?
To store water
What is the function of modified cactus spines?
Protection from predators
What is the function of modified pea tendrils?
Help it steady itself as it grows taller to better outcompete other plants for sunlight
What cells control the movement of gasses and water vapour in and out of the leaf?
Guard cells
Where on the privet leaf cross section were the guard cells?
At the entrance of the stoma
How does the guard cells inside the pockets, and hairs in the pockets help the plant survive in a dry environment/reduce transpiration?
Guard cells are found within the pockets: this protects from water loss being due to hot dry winds
Trichome help by breaking up wind currents so the humidity within the pocket is more humid than outside, and water molecules escaping due go evaporation are caught be the trichome
Oleander has several layers of epidermis. How does this help the plant?
Multiple layers of epidermis ensures less water escapes and therefore transpiration is minimized
What is the name of the waxy substance secreted by the epidermis and what is it’s function?
It is called the cuticle. It’s function is to reduce transpiration
What non-cellular layer is very visible in desert plants, but not visible (although present) in wet climate plants?
The cuticle
What are 3 adaptations that oleander has to be able to live in hot climates?
- Guard cells within pockets: So their protected from transpiration due to hot winds
- Trichomes: break up air to create cool, more humid air inside, and trap moisture as it begins to evaporate
- Multiple layers of epidermis: locks in moisture
