Plant 2 Flashcards
What is the main function of meristematic tissues?
To produce new cells from mitosis
Meristematic tissues can only grow in regions where they exist.
What are the two main types of meristems?
- Apical meristems
- Lateral meristems
These types are responsible for different growth patterns in plants.
Where do apical meristems occur?
At the tips (ends) of shoots and roots
They are responsible for primary growth.
What type of growth is primarily associated with apical meristems?
Primary growth
This growth increases the height of the plant.
What structure protects the growing root tip as it pushes through the soil?
Root cap
The root cap is continually rubbed off during growth.
What happens to the youngest cells at the tip of the apical meristem?
They are very small
These cells rapidly elongate in size as they move away from the tip.
What are the two types of lateral meristems?
- Cork cambium
- Vascular cambium
These contribute to the increase in thickness or width of a plant’s structure.
What is the vascular cambium?
A ring of meristematic tissue that occurs between xylem and phloem
It is found only in dicots.
What defines a dicot?
Plants with two cotyledons
They typically have broad leaves with net-venation.
Fill in the blank: Meristematic tissues can only grow where ______ exist.
meristems
True or False: Apical meristems are responsible for secondary growth.
False
Apical meristems are responsible for primary growth.
What type of vascular tissues do apical meristems produce?
- Xylem
- Phloem
These tissues are essential for nutrient transport in plants.
What is the function of the vascular cambium?
Produces cells towards the center and outside of the organ
The vascular cambium is responsible for secondary growth in plants.
What type of tissues are produced by the division of cambium cells?
Secondary tissues
These tissues contribute to the secondary growth of a plant.
What is secondary growth in plants?
Growth in width of a plant
This type of growth is important for plants that persist for many years, like trees.
In woody plants, what are the two types of new tissues produced each year?
New xylem and new phloem
These tissues are produced at the center of the stem/trunk.
What is heartwood?
The oldest xylem found closer to the center of the stem/trunk
Heartwood is typically non-functional in terms of water transport.
What is sapwood?
The newer xylem that is functional and transports minerals
Sapwood is found closer to the outside of the stem/trunk.
What do annual rings in trees represent?
Layers of xylem growth each year
The size of the rings can vary based on seasonal growth conditions.
What is cork cambium?
A layer that forms under the epidermis in woody plants
It produces cork cells towards the outside and phelloderm towards the inside.
What is the function of cork in plants?
Protects inner tissues from injury and provides waterproofing
Cork is produced by the cork cambium and is usually more than one cell layer thick.
What is the epidermis in plants?
The outer protective layer of leaves and non-woody stems
The epidermis is typically one cell layer thick.
What is the cuticle?
A waxy substance covering the epidermis
It aids in water protection for plant tissues.
True or False: The epidermis is covered by a waxy cuticle.
True
This cuticle helps prevent water loss.
Fill in the blank: The _____ protects inner tissues from injury in plants that undergo secondary growth.
Cork
Cork also provides a waterproofing function.
What is the role of protective tissues in plants?
To provide a barrier for the tissues inside the plants
This includes both the epidermis and cork.
