Plant Form and Function Flashcards
Define cell
the fundamental unit of life
Define tissue
a group of cells consisting of one or more cell types that together perform a specialized function
Define organs
consists of several types of tissues that together carry out particular functions
Describe the arrangement of xylem and phloem in monocots
a core or parenchyma cells (pith) surrounded by alternating rings of xylem and phloem
Describe the arrangement of xylem and phloem in dicots
the xylem is a star with phloem between the arms
Do dicots or monocots have two layers of leaf mesophyll?
Dicots
Do dicots or monocots have common or rare secondary growth
rare-monocot, common-dicot
Describe nodes
nodes are where leaves/branches are attached, they alternate with internodes
What is the general function of apical buds?
To elongate young roots and shoots
What is the general function of axillary bud?
to form a lateral branch, thorn, or flower
What is the general function of stems?
to elongate and orient the shoot for photosynthesis
What are some examples of stems with specialized functions? Describe them
Rhizomes are underground stems, stolons serve in asexual reproduction, tubers
What are some functions of roots (3 main)?
Anchor, absorb minerals and water, stores carbohydrates
Describe the formation of roots in large or non-trailing plants
the primary root is the first to emerge, it branches to form lateral roots which improve anchorage and water absorption (most of the absorption happens here)
Describe the formation of roots in small or trailing plants
the primary root dies early on and adventitious roots come from the stem to make lateral roots
What is the main function of root hairs? How are they able to achieve this?
Root hairs (extensions of epidermal cells) form from the root tip and increase the absorptive surface
Make up 70-90% of the surface area
Name some generalized specialized functions of some roots
Support, oxygen, storage
What is the main function of leaves?
they are the main photosynthetic organ of most vascular plants (green stems do a little)
What are some side/minor functions of leaves (3)?
Exchange gas, dissipate heat, defend from herbivores and pathogens
What is the difference between gross primary productivity and net productivity in relation to plants?
The gross primary productivity is all the food made, the net is what we get
What is the function of a chromoplast?
it produces bad-tasting or poison compounds
What is the function of stomata?
They are pores in the epidermis that allow for gas exchange
Where are stomata located? Why?
Major avenues for evaporation loss (so most are on the lower side of the leaf)
What is the function of guard cells?
they open and close to control stomata
What are some specialized functions of leaves?
spines, reproduction, storage, tendrils
What basic plant organ is a flower? What special thing do they have? (not like petals or stuff like that)
Specialized leaves that have meristems
Do trees produces leaves on the previous year’s stem, other branches, or both?
Branches
Where do leaves develop from? Where do axillary buds develop from?
Leaf primordia along the sides of the shoot apical meristem, meristematic cells left at the base of apical meristems
What are the two major parts of a leaf?
A flattened blade and a stalk (petiole) (the petiole is not an actual part of the leaf but it connects the leaf to the stem)
Describe compound leaves
one blade divided into leaflets
How does a bud scar form?
it is the remainder of last year’s apical bud
(Leaves) What kind of tissue is between the upper and lower epidermis? What general category does it belong to? What kind of cells does it have?
Mesophyll, ground tissue, parenchyma
(Leaves) Describe the two layer tissue setup that is between the upper and lower epidermis in eudicots
mesophyll has two layers: the palisade in the upper part and the spongy in the lower part (loose arrangement for gas exchange)
Palisade is lined up in rows
What two functions do veins serve in leafs? What encloses them?
Veins are the leafs vascular bundles and skeleton
Each vein is enclosed by a protective bundle sheath
What type of tissue makes up most of a plant?
Secondary xylem
What are the three tissue systems in plants?
Dermal, vascular, ground
What is the function of the periderm?
a protective layer that replaces the epidermis in older spots (woody plants only, impermeable to water and gases)
What is the type of dermal tissue in nonwoody plants?
Epidermis