Plant Science I Flashcards
1
Q
What are the parts of a binomial name?
A
Genus and species
2
Q
Cultivar
A
A selection for horticultural use
Genetically identical
Propagated vegetatively
3
Q
Non-vascular plants
A
Don’t have a system for transporting water through the plant– mosses and liverworts.
4
Q
Vascular plants
A
Water can be transported through the plant– seed bearing and non seed bearing
5
Q
Gymnosperms
A
Group of seed-producing plants that includes conifers, cycads, Ginkgo, and gnetophytes. Name means ‘naked seed’
6
Q
Angiosperms
A
Flowering plants
7
Q
Monocotyledon
A
Single cotyledon (seed leaf)
Linear veined leaves
Vascular bundles scattered
Flower parts in threes
8
Q
Eudicotyledon
A
Two cotyledons (seed leaf).
Broad, diverse leaf shapes
Vascular bundles in a ring
Floral parts in multiples of 4 or 5
9
Q
Three examples of monocotyledons
A
Lilium lancifolium
Zea mays
Festuca glauca
Iris sibirica
10
Q
Three examples of eudicotyledon
A
Salvia rosmarinus
Agastache foeniculum
Rosa gallica
11
Q
Plant Breeders Rights (PBR)
A
Like a copyright for plants. Breeder has exclusive control over the propagation materials for a number of years.
12
Q
Hybrids
A
The result of a cross between two
distinct populations, such as between two species.
13
Q
What is a potential downside of cultivars?
A
Climate change, novel pests and diseases may challenge the
conventional idea of consistent cultivars.
Cultivars can also be more expensive.
14
Q
Why is it important to identify/classify plants?
A
Best conditions for it, appropriate pruning, pests and diseases
Ultimate size and level of spread
Useful for assessing health status
Membership of some plant families or genera is strongly correlated with certain nutrient requirements
Various genera could be prone to particular diseases
15
Q
Function of roots
A
Anchor plants in the soil
Enable plants to take up water and nutrients from the soil.
Ability to survive winter (or a dry season) by storing nutrients
16
Q
Rhizomes
A
Modified stems that grow horizontally
Allow plants to spread
17
Q
What is the different between monocot and dicot roots?
A
Eudicots all start off with a tap root which develops from the radicle, develop lateral roots that branch off it. Sometimes these take over tap root.
Monocots have fibrous roots and no tap root, which all start at the base of the stem and may be branched. More often superficial and cannot repair themselves as they have not growth tissue behind the tip.
18
Q
Meristem
A
Type of tissue found in plants, e.g. root tip, that enables rapid growth, cell division.
19
Q
Why are root hairs important?
A
Fine, short-lived roots that massively increase the surface area of roots, increasing contact with water and nutrients.
20
Q
Mycorrhizal fungi
A
Mycorrhizas are fungal associations between plant roots and beneficial fungi. Like root hairs, increase the surface area of soil the plant can access.
Play vital role in helping many plants (especially woody plants in poor soils) access nutrients.
21
Q
Function of stems
A
Support other plant organs, in particular enabling leaves to be spaced out to maximise photosynthesis.
Competition: tall plants = access to light
Vascular tissue carries water and nutrients around the plant.
22
Q
Shoot
A
Any plant stem together with its appendages like, leaves and lateral buds, flowering stems, and flower buds.
23
Q
Bud
A
Compact package of embryonic shoot consisting of immature leaves and dormant meristem tissue
24
Q
Apical bud
A
Terminal bud at the tip of a shoot which will grow next spring
25
Axillary bud
Lateral buds, at the side
26
Lenticels
Little breaks on the surface of the stem or trunk. These allow gaseous exchange and are helpful in identifying plants in winter.
27
Leaf scars
Show where a leaf (or sometimes a fruit) has been attached. Helpful in identifying plants in winter.
28
Petiole
leaf stem
29
Lamina
blade of a leaf, which forms the main structure
30
Reticulate veins
branching out from a central midrib forming a network
31
Simple vs compound leaves
One single leaf blade vs multiplicity of leaflets
32
Pinnate
Along a central stalk.
33
Palmate
Arising from a single point on the petiole.
34
Rachis
the main axis of a compound leaf structure
35
Alternate vs opposite arrangement
Alternate = one leaf at each node
Opposite = two leaves per node
36
Decussate
Opposite leaves arranged with each succeeding pair at right angles to the pairs below and above them.
37
Ephemeral
Short-lived annuals with the ability to complete several life cycles per year
38
Two examples of an ephemeral
Stellaria media (chickweed)
Senecio vulgaris (groundsel)
39
Annuals
Germinate from seed, grow, flower, set seed, and die within the maximum of one year.
40
Three examples of an annual
Helianthus annuus (sunflower)
Cosmos bipinnatus (cosmea)
Nigella damascena (love in a mist)
41
Hardy annual
Able to withstand frost– temperatures to-10◦c
Seeds may be sown directly into ground in autumn for germination in early spring as early as March
Tropaeolum majus
Lathyrus odoratus
42
Two examples of half hardy annual
Unable to withstand frost– temperatures to-5◦c
Seeds must be sown under glass, early in the season (March/April)
Nicotiana alata
Salvia splendens 'Vanguard'
43
Biennial
Lives for two years. The first year’s growth is usually vegetative (roots, stems and leaves), and in the second year the plant flowers, sets seed and dies
44
Three examples of a biennial
Digitalis purpurea (foxglove)
Daucus carota
Dipsacus fullonum (Teasel)
45
What is a ‘horticulture’ biennial?
Botanically perennial but are grown like biennials and when they have flowered once they are removed.
Dug up after flowering simply because they don’t perform well the following year, or become too untidy
46
Perennial
Perennial plants that complete their lifecycle in more than two growing seasons.
Broad grouping: from border plants to large trees.
47
Herbaceous perennial
Do not form woody stems and usually die back in winter but reappear with fresh new growth in spring
48
Three examples herbaceous perennial
Echinacea purpurea
Helleborus niger
Helenium autumnale
Hosta sieboldiana var. elegans -
49
Bulbs
Herbaceous perennials; Formed from fleshy leaves arranged in concentric rings that are attached to a basal plate
50
Explain the difference between bulbs, corms, tubers, and rhizomes
Bulbs are stems and leaves
Corms are swollen stems
Tubers are either swollen stems or roots depending on the species.
Rhizomes are swollen underground stems
51
Three examples of evergreen perennial
Helleborus niger (Christmas rose)
Bergenia cordifolia
Heuchera ‘Green Spice’
52
Woody perennial
Form wood in their stems and roots as a result of secondary growth and become trees or shrubs
53
Senescence
The plant is in decline; this stage precedes death.
54
Competitive exclusion principle
two species cannot occupy the same ecological niche in a habitat if they are competing for the same resources
55
Mesophyte
Plants which are found to be living in temperate conditions, needing a moderate amount of water
56
Three examples of mesophytes
Rosa canina
Trifolium repens
Zea mays
57
Morphologic vs physiologic adapatation
Changing form vs function
58
Xerophytes
Adapted to live in dry conditions, desert environment
59
Name three Xerophytic morphological adaptations
Reduced leaf surface
Sunken stomata
Hairy leaves
Thick cuticles
Swollen stems, roots and leaves
60
Name three Xerophytic physiological adaptations
Shedding leaves
Tolerance of desiccation
Seed dormancy
61
Name three xerophytes
Lithops spp. (Living stones)
Agave Americana (Century plant)
Pinus ponderosa (Western yellow pine)
62
What problems could a plant living in fresh water have?
Light absorption and lack of oxygen and carbon dioxide
63
Three hydrophytic morphological adaptations
Stomata in upper epidermis
Large leaf surface
Air spaces in stem, leaves and roots
64
Hydrophytes
Plants adapted to life under water
Three essential requirements in abundance - water, nutrients and
warmth
Nymphaea spp. (Water lily)
65
Cryophytes
Plants adapted to grow in arctic conditions: low temperatures, lack of available water due to freezing temperatures, free-draining soil and icy winds
66
Cryophytic morphological adaptations
Low compact plants
Hairy leaves
Evergreens
67
Three examples of cryophytes
Leontopodium alpinum (Edelweiss)
Gaultheria procumbens (Box berry)
Saxifraga spp. (Rockfoil)
68
Cryophytic physiological adaptations
Lower the freezing point of cell sap by altering the concentration of sugars
Ability to grow / photosynthesise at low temperatures
69
Halophytes
Plants which can live in salty habitats and are adapted for the uptake of water from concentrated solutions.
Plants adapted to these conditions react by osmotic adjustment, altering the internal osmotic pressure by increasing the cellular solute concentration.
70
Morphological adaptations of coastal plants
Narrow leaves to avoid desiccation by drying winds
Leaves with a thick waxy cuticle to reduce water evaporation
71
Fully Hardy (H6)
Frost Hardy (H4-H5) Down to -15 to -5 0C
Down to -20 to -15 C
Down to -15 to -5 C
72
What temperatures?
Half Hardy (H3)
Frost Tender Plants (H1-H2)
Down to -5 to 1 C
1 to 5 C
73
Name the six macronutrients in soil
nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and sulphur
74
Name the eight micro or trace nutrients
iron, zinc, molybdenum, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt and chlorine
75
Role of water in plants
Photosynthesis and respiration
Responsible for turgor pressure in cells
Solvent for minerals and carbohydrates
Source of pressure to move roots
Cooling leaves during transpiration
76
Relative humidity
Ratio of water vapour in the air to the amount of water the air could hold at the current temperature and pressure.
77
What are possible impacts of climate change on plant lifecycles?
* Impact of temperature changes on seed germination, (esp. cold period required for germination)
* Pollinator distribution
* Herbaceous perennials remaining green over winter
* Impact on the cold requirement to form flower buds
* Temp impacting the rate of respiration which can deplete food resources within plants
78
What are five things gardeners can do for bees?
Plant for pollinators
Provide bee friendly habitat (untended, long grass)
Insect hotel
Avoid pesticides
Water
79
Bracts
Specialised leaves which surround some flowers, being colourful and attracting pollinators
80
Scale leaves
Small brown papery textured leaves
Form the outer layer of buds
Most prominent in winter
81
Pedicel vs peduncle
Flower stalk vs the stalk of a flower head
82
Receptacle
Top of the pedicel that supports / acts as base for rest of the flower
83
Sepal
Leaf-like structure which protects the flower before it opens, forming the outer, visible part of the flower bud
84
Calyx
All the sepals together, often forming the outer protective layer
of a flower bud
85
Petal
Thin leaf-like structure often brightly colored, evolved to attract pollinators
86
Nectaries
At the base of the petal, holding nectar for pollinators
87
Corolla
Collective name for all the petals
88
Perianth
Calyx + corolla
89
Stamen
Male sexual organ, including:
* Anther (pollen)
* Filament (stalk which attaches the anther to the receptacle, positions for optimal pollen dispersion)
90
Name the four parts of the carpel
Female sexual organ, including:
* Stigma (sticky, receptive surface where pollen lands)
* Style (organ that joins the stigma to the ovary)
* Ovary (part of the carpel that contains the ovules. Often develops into the fruit after fertilization)
* Ovules (female sex cells, develop into seeds after fertiliz)
91
What are perfect vs imperfect flowers
Perfect = hermaphrodite
Imperfect = contain only male or female parts
92
Inflorescence
Flower head; collection of flowers on the same stalk (the peduncle)
93
Raceme
Inflorescence; flowers are attached to the main stem by short stalks
94
Spike (inflorescence)
Modified raceme where the flowers are attached to the main stalks without stems
95
Simple umbel vs complex
Modified raceme inflorescence, where the pedicels all arise from the same point
96
Capitulum
Compound flowers, e.g. daisies (Asteraceae)
Receptacle acts as base for disc florets and outer ray florets.
97
Corymb
Modified raceme, all the pedicels grow to the same height and form a platform for insects
98
Panicle
Inflorescence; branched raceme, where each branch is a raceme
99
Where might you find a plant with large, soft leaves?
Near water
100
Where might you find a plant with dark green, leathery leaves?
Shade
101
How do external structures defend plants against pests and diseases?
Bark and the outer layer of stems help protect against insects, fungal infections
Spines, leaves with sharp margins can protect against animals and insects
102
How do external structures help plants to establish and spread?
Tall stems help plants get above competitors
Large sideways spreading leaves shade competitors
Roots and rhizomes help spread
Stems of some plants can root at the tip, enabling a new plant to form
103
Why is knowledge of external parts of plant helpful to gardeners?
Tell whether plant is annual or perennial: linking of root structure to identify if a weed is annual or perennial.
Knowing how plant grows informs care: climbers may need support; bulbs need well draining soil
104
Runners + example
Reproductive stems
Fragaria x ananassa (straberry)
105
Describe the difference between apical, lateral and intercalary meristematic tissue
Apical - at the growing tips of stems and roots and increases the length of the stem and the root.
Lateral (cambium) - increases girth of the stem or root
Intercalary - meristem at the base of the leaves or internodes, promote lengthening of stem
106
Xylem
these tissues transport water and minerals from roots to the rest of the plant unidirectionally. The cells are rigid. They are dead at maturity.
107
Phloem
These tissues actively transport nutrients like sugars around the plant. The cells are soft walled and alive. Transport can be bi-directional.
108
What makes up the vascular bundles in eudicots?
Xylem, phloem, and cambium which creates new xylem/phloem cells
Phloem (outside) -> cambium (middle) -> xylem (center)
109
Endodermis
Band of tissue in roots which controls passage of water
110
Pericycle
Ring of meristem tissue from which new roots grow
111
Difference between monocot and dicot vascular structure
In monocot, xylem and phloem cells arranged in a circle around a pith or center
In dicot, xylem cells form a central hub with lobes, and phloem cells fill in the spaces between the lobes
112
Cuticle
Outer layer of leaf, protective waxy coating which prevent leaf from drying out and helps keep out disease/ fungal spores
113
Stomata
Openings which allow exit and entry of gases and water vapour
Controlled by the water pressure in surrounding guard cells Generally on the underside of the leaf
114
Mesophyll
Middle of leaf, contain chloroplasts
115
Cork cambium
Second outer ring of meristematic tissue that runs the
length of roots and stems
Produces the outer bark in woody dicotyledons after secondary thickening.
116
Why shouldn't you prune large branches in autumn?
Tree's energy is focused on shutting down for season and cannot focus on healing
Pores of disease and decay causing fungi are more active and likely to infect otherwise healthy trees
117
Why is cambium important for healing after pruning?
Pruning depends on plants being able to seal off the resulting wound,
preventing entry to fungal and other diseases. They can do this because of the ability of cambium to produce new tissue.
118
What/ where do aphids attack?
Sap-sucking insects use a specialised mouthpiece to pierce the epidermis and suck nutrients from the phloem of
They often go for the growing tip (meristems) where tissue is softest
119
Monoecious plant + example
Imperfect plant with separate male and female flowers on the same plant
E.g. Cucurbita pepo - zucchini
120
Dioecious plant
Male and female flowers growing on completely separate plants.
Enforced cross-pollination
121
Define pollination
Transfer of pollen (male gamete) from anthers where it is produced to the stigma, female part of flower (i.e. the carpel).
Pollen has to be 'accepted' by the stigma-- from same species or
very closely related
122
Fertilization
Male gametes in the pollen grain travel down the style, on a structure that grows from the pollen grain called the pollen tube, and into the ovary to unite with the ovule (female gamete), which will be an embryo of a new plant
123
Cross-pollination
When pollen from one plant lands on the stigma of another from the same species.
Beneficial creation of genetic differences.
124
Heterostyly
Condition (e.g. in primroses) of having styles of different lengths relative to the stamens in the flowers of different individual plants, to reduce self-fertilization.
125
Why are double flowers not the best choice for pollinators?
They are difficult to pollinate, may lack male or female parts, or the pollen or nectar may not be accessible to pollinators
126
Describe the flowers on wind-pollinated plants
Small with minimal petals
Anthers are large, projecting from flower
Pollen is plentiful, dry and light
Stigmas are large and feathery so that they can capture pollen as it floats by
127
Two examples of dioecious plants
Ilex aquifolium
Skimmia japonica
128
Two examples of wind pollinated plants
Zea mays
Carex flacca
129
What is unique about apple pollination?
Most apple cultivars require a second cultivar for pollination.
Apples are divided into pollinating groups of cultivars that flower at the same time and can pollinate each other.
130
