Plant Tissues Flashcards
What is the leaf of a plant?
It is an organ.
Where are the stomata found?
The lower epidermis.
Why do plants keep their stomata open for only a certain period of time?
To maximise CO2 absorption, but minimise water loss.
What are the top and bottom sections of a leaf called?
The upper and lower epidermis.
What is the function of the oily substance on the upper epidermis?
The waxy cuticle reduces the evaporation of water from the surface of the leaf.
What is the function of the palisade mesophyll?
The palisade mesophyll contains palisade cells.
Palisade cells contain lots of chloroplasts.
So, this is where most photosynthesis takes place.
What is the function of the spongy mesophyll?
The spongy mesophyll contains many air spaces.
This allows CO2 to diffuse through into the palisade cells.
This allows O2 to diffuse through into the stomata.
What is the structure and function of the xylem cells?
Xylem tubes are made of dead cells that are strengthened with lignin.
They transport water and mineral ions ( such as magnesium ) from the roots to the stem and leaves.
What is the process of transporting water and mineral ions through the xylem called?
The transpiration stream.
What is the structure and function of the phloem tubes?
Phloem tissue consists of elongated living cells with small pores allowing cell sap to flow through.
Phloem tissue transports dissolved sugars ( produced by photosynthesis ) from the leaves to the rest of the plant.
These sugars can be used immediately for respiration ( glucose ) or they can be stored ( starch ).
What is the process of the transportation of dissolved sugars through the phloem tissue called?
Translocation.
Where can meristem tissue be found?
Roots and shoots.
What is the function of meristem tissue?
Meristem tissue contains stem cells which can differentiate into different plant tissues.
