Plant Anatomy

Question 1

Functions of roots

Answer 1

1) Anchor the plant.
2) Absorb water and minerals from the soil.
3) Transport water and minerals to the shoot.
4) Store food.

Question 2

3 Types of roots

Answer 2

Taproots
Fibrous roots
Adventitious roots

Question 3

Taproots

Answer 3

Consist of a main root, which develops from the seed radicle. Lateral roots grow out from sides of taproot. Common pattern in dicots.

Question 4

Fibrous roots

Answer 4

Groups of roots of roughly the same size that are left when the radicle dies away. Fibrous root systems shallower that taproot systems. Common in monocots.

Question 5

Adventitious roots

Answer 5

Do not grow from radicle but more unusual parts of plant e.g. stem. Strawberry runners.

Question 6

4 Zones in a root

Answer 6

1. Zone of protection
2. Zone of cell production
3. Zone of elongation
4. Zone of differentiation

Question 7

1) Zone of protection

Answer 7

The root cap protects the cells at the root tip.

Question 8

2) Zone of cell production

Answer 8

Area of apical meristem cells that are constantly dividing by mitosis.

Question 9

Zone of elongation

Answer 9

Small newly divided cells are stimulated to grow longer in this area.

Question 10

Zone of differentiation

Answer 10

The elongated cells develop into distinct cell types here.

Question 11

Lenticles

Answer 11

Openings found on stems of plants that allow for gas exchange. Opening and closing of lenticles is not regulated as it is in stomata. Lenticles do not have guard cells.

Question 12

Functions of stems

Answer 12

1. Support.
2. Transport of water and minerals from the roots to the leaves and flowers.
3. Transport of food from the leaves to the roots.
4. Food storage e.g. potatoes.
5. Photosynthesis, if they contain chlorophyll.

Question 13

4 Main Types of Plant Tissue

Answer 13

Meristematic tissue
Dermal tissue
Ground tissue
Vascular tissue

Question 14

Meristematic tissue

Answer 14

Meristematic tissue is a region of cells that are actively dividing by mitosis.
Present in stems, buds and roots.

Question 15

Dermal tissue

Answer 15

Dermal tissue is an outer protective layer.
Prevents drying and damage.
Covered by a waxy cuticle to prevent water loss.

Question 16

Ground tissue

Answer 16

Located between the dermal and vascular tissues as packing and protective material.
In the leaf, photosynthetic ground tissue know as mesophyll.
In stems and roots ground tissue may be used for food storage.

Question 17

Vascular tissue

Answer 17

Vascular tissue is a group of cells that is specialised to transport materials around the plant.
2 types:
Xylem- Transports water and minerals up the plant.
Phloem- Transports food up and down the plant. Also transports hormones.

Question 18

2 Types of xylem cells

Answer 18

1) Xylem tracheids
2) Xylem vessels

Question 19

Xylem tracheids

Answer 19

1. Xylem tracheids are found in coniferous trees.
2. On maturity xylem tracheids are dead cells, hollow and contain no cytoplasm.
3. Walls of tracheids contain pits and lignin.

Question 20

Xylem vessels

Answer 20

1. Xylem vessels are found in deciduous trees.
2. On maturity xylem vessels are dead cells, hollow and contain no cytoplasm.
3. Xylem vessels are thickened with bands of lignin in a spiral pattern that gives strength and support.

Question 21

Structure of phloem tissue

Answer 21

1. Is living and has no lignin.
2. Composed of sieve tube cells and companion cells.

Question 22

Monocots

Answer 22

1) Contain one cotyledon.
2) Vascular bundles are scattered in the stem.
3) Parallel venation.
4) Most monocots are herbaceous.

Question 23

Dicots

Answer 23

1) Contain two cotyledons.
2) Vascular bundles are arranged in a distinct ring pattern.
3) Netted venation.
4) Dicots mat be either woody or herbaceous.

Question 24

Examples of monocots

Answer 24

1. Grass
2. Daffodil

Question 25

Examples of dicots

Answer 25

1. Oak tree
2. Sunflower
3. Rose