Plants Flashcards
Function of Leaf
Contains chlorophyll to carry out photosynthesis
Function of Stem
Support
Contain vessels for transport
Apical & Lateral Growth
Function of Flower
Reproduction
Function of Root
Anchorage
Absorption
Storage
What are the two types of meristem
Apical (vertical) meristem
Lateral (horizontal) meristem
Apical Meristem
Primary growth - lengthening of plant
Occurs at tips of shoots and roots
Produces new leaves & flowers
Lateral Meristem
Secondary growth - widening of plant
Occurs at the cambium
Produces bark on trees
What are the different things in a cross-section of a leaf (listed top to bottom)
Waxy Cuticle Upper Epidermis Palisade Mesophyll Spongy Mesophyll Air Space Vascular Bundle (contains Xylem & Phloem) Guard Cells Stoma Lower Epidermis
Function of Waxy Cuticle
Barrier - stops water evaporating from the cells
Function of Upper Epidermis
Prevents water loss by evaporation.
Any damage to the outer layer won’t damage photosynthesising cells
No chloroplasts - light passes through easily
Function of Palisade Mesophyll
Near the top of the leaf - absorbs maximum light for photosynthesis
Many chloroplasts - 80% of photosynthesis happens here
Most chloroplasts are at the top of cells
Box-like arrangement of palisade - tightly packed - maximise photosynthesis
Function of Spongy Mesophyll
Increases SA for CO2 absorption by cells.
Allows diffusion of gases in & out of cells
Irregular shaped cells - many air spaces - lets CO2 move towards Palisade Layer for photosynthesis. Also provides big SA - gas exchange
Still contain some chloroplasts so photosynthesis can still occur
Function of Vascular Bundle
Transports substances around the plant (contains xylem and phloem)
Function of Lower Epidermis
Contain guard cells that open and close the stomata (pores) to allow CO2 to diffuse in or to let Oxygen out. Also controls Water Loss.
Xylem Cells
Elongated, dead cells arranged end to end to form continuous vessels (tubes)
No cytoplasm
Tough walls containing a woody material calledLignin - builds up in spirals in cell walls - can withstand pressure from the water + provide support to plant stem.
The contents & end walls break down to form a hollow centre (Lumen)
Involved in a process that carries water & mineral ions from the roots to the leaves, called the transpiration stream.
Xylem cells are alive when first formed but after Lignin forms they die and form long hollow tubes.
Xylem vessels form the wood in a tree.
Where is the Vascular Bundle containing the Xylem found in the Roots
Centre of Root because it is strong and can resist forces that could pull the plant out of the ground.
The Vascular Bundle looks like a circle & there is a smaller ring inside that where there is a plus-like structure which is the Xylem and the bit in the gaps is the Phloem
Where is the Vascular Bundle containing the Xylem found in the Stem
Near the edge to resist compression and bending forces caused by the plant’s weight and the wind.
The Vascular Bundle looks like a circle again with a smaller ring inside it but now there are multiple oval-structures that overlap this smaller ring. The part of the oval that is on the inside of this ring is the Xylem and the outside part is the Phloem.
Where is the Vascular Bundle containing the Xylem found in the Leaf
In Spongy Mesophyll layer.
The Vascular Bundle looks like a circle again but inside is different. The Xylem occupy the top half of the circle while the Phloem take the bottom half of the Vascular Bundle.
Transpiration stream
The flow of water through a plant, from the roots to the leaves, via the xylem vessels. Water will eventually be lost by evaporation out of the stomata
Transpiration
The loss of water from leaves by evaporation through the stomata
How does the Transpiration Stream work
Water moves thru plant from roots - leaves via xylem
When guard cells are open, water evaporates out of leaf via stomata
Shortage of water - water drawn up from roots via Xylem to replace it
Water molecules in Xylem - strongly attracted to each other - slight electrical charge - cohesion - links up all the water molecules - hydrogen bonding - continuous column of water pulled up stem.
More water is drawn into the roots via osmosis to replace water lost inside the roots
Repeat
Why is transpiration important
Cooling of the plant Mineral transport Getting water to cells - water is a reactant in Photosynthesis - osmosis, enabling turgidity & support
What are the 4 Factors that can change the rate of transpiration
Light - Bright Light Increases
Temperature - Faster in Higher Temperatures
Wind - Faster in Windy Conditions
Humidity - Slower in Humid Conditions