Plants Flashcards
What are angiosperms?
A flowering plant that reproduces by way of flowers
What are the four main types of plant tissues?
- Vascular
- Ground
- Meristematic
- Protective
What is the primary function of vascular tissues?
Transports materials (water and sugar) from one part of an organism to another
What does xylem transport?
Xylem sap (water & minerals) from the roots to all other parts of the plant
What are the two main types of cells that make up xylem?
- Vessel Elements
- Tracheids
What is lignin?
A plastic-like phenolic polymer found in secondary cell walls in wood. It strengthens the organ
What is a vessel?
Long, hollow, tube-like structure that is made up of many vessel elements that are connected end-to-end.
The ends and sides of vessels are either absent or perforated (i.e. have holes), allowing xylem sap to pass vertically and laterally.
What are vessel elements?
A singular vessel which transports xylem sap and is found only in angiosperms.
They can connect with other vessel elements to form a vessel.
What is the difference between primary and secondary cell walls?
- Primary cell walls are more stretchable
- Secondary cell walls are rigid
What is the main function of phloem?
Transports dissolved sugars from leaves to other parts of the plant
What are the two types of cells in phloem?
- Companion Cell
- Sieve Tube Cell
What is a sieve tube cell?
Smaller than vessel elements, and lacks a nucleus at maturity.
The cytoplasm of each sieve tube element is connected to the companion cell through pores
What do companion cells do?
Possess a nucleus and direct the operations (of the sugar water) of a sieve tube
What are the three types of ground tissues? How do they differ from each other?
- Parenchyma
- Collenchyma
- Sclerenchyma
They differ in the thickness of their cell walls
What is the primary function of parenchyma cells?
- Provide some support
- Store foods (starch/sugar)
- Store water
- Perform photosynthesis
What characterizes collenchyma cells?
Thicker and more rigid cell walls, providing support for stems
What is the main function of sclerenchyma cells?
Protects the plants’ organs and supports the plants’ stems
What are meristematic tissues?
The stem cells of plants that produce new cells through mitosis
Where are apical meristems found?
At the tips of roots and shoots
What is the function of lateral meristems?
Responsible for secondary growth (horizontal growth)
They include the vascular cambium and the cork cambium
What is the vascular cambium?
A ring between the xylem and phloem that produces new xylem and phloem
What is cork cambium?
Forms under the epidermis and produces cork to protect the plant
What does the epidermis do?
Acts as the outer protective layer of leaves, nonwoody stems, and roots
What are the 4 main functions of roots?
- Anchor plant into soil
- Store starch and nutrients
- Transport water
- Absorb water, nutrients, minerals
What is a cuticle?
A waxy substance covering the epidermis
What are fibrous roots primarily associated with?
Monocots
Name in order, what the root tissues are. (ex. epidermis…)
[Epidermis, Cortex, Endodermis, Casparian Strip, Phloem, Vascular Cambium, Xylem]
What are the 4 main functions of shoots (stems)?
- Support the leaves
- Transport sugars
- Store starch and nutrients
- Transport water and nutrients
What are the 4 characteristics of herbaceous stems?
- Mostly monocots
- Soft stems
- Do not survive winter
- Vascular bundles scattered
What are the 4 characteristics of woody stems?
- Hard tissues (wood)
- Survive winter
- Allow extensive secondary growth
- Vascular bundles arranged in a ring pattern
What do monocotyledons have in terms of vascular bundles?
Randomly scattered vascular bundles
What are the three parts of a seed?
- Seed coat
- Endosperm
- Embryo
What is a rhizome? Example?
A modified thick and fleshy stem that grows either just above soil or below soil and produces new shoots. Ginger & tumeric
What are tubers?
Modified stems that grow under the soil, filled with starches
What are bulbs?
Modified leaves wrapped around an underground stem, arranged in layers
What adaptations do plants in Dry Environments need?
Thick cuticles to prevent water loss and stomas on the underside of the leaf
This adaptation is crucial for survival in arid environments.
What adaptation do many desert plants have to prevent animals from eating them?
Thorns
Thorns deter herbivores from consuming the plants.
What structural adaptations do desert plants have to prevent water evaporation?
Thicker epidermis and thicker cuticle
These adaptations help minimize water loss in arid conditions.
Where are the stomata located on the leaves of desert plants?
On the bottom of the leaf
This placement helps to keep them shaded and cool.
What is the primary concern for plants in wet areas regarding water?
Flooding, suffocation, and fungi infections.
Excess water can lead to issues such as fungal infections.
What structural feature do aquatic plants like lily pads have for water management?
Stoma at the top of the leaf
This adaptation is unique to aquatic plants for effective gas exchange.
What is the function of the cuticle on leaves?
Prevent water loss and act as a barrier against infections
The cuticle is a waxy layer produced by the epidermis.
What is the epidermis in the context of leaf structure?
The first layer of cells that acts like ‘skin’
It protects the inner cells and regulates gas exchange and it makes cuticles
What are stomata and what is their function?
Breathing holes in the epidermis for gas exchange
They allow CO2 in and O2 out, facilitating photosynthesis.
What process involves the release of water from leaves?
Transpiration
Transpiration helps pull water up from the roots.
What is the role of chloroplasts in leaves?
Site of photosynthesis
Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, which captures sunlight for energy conversion.
What is transpiration?
The loss of water from plants, primarily through small openings called stomata.
Transpiration helps pull water up from roots.
What are veins in the context of plants?
Vascular bundles that transport water, nutrients, and food throughout the plant.
Veins can be categorized as monocots (parallel) or dicots (net-like).
What is the function of guard cells?
Control the opening and closing of stomata.
Guard cells are kidney-shaped and regulate gas exchange.
What gases are involved in the process of photosynthesis?
CO2 (carbon dioxide) and O2 (oxygen).
What is the palisade mesophyll layer?
The layer of densely packed cells containing chloroplasts for maximum photosynthesis.
It is located beneath the upper epidermis of leaves.
What characterizes the spongy mesophyll layer?
Loosely packed cells with air pockets to facilitate gas exchange.
It is located beneath the palisade layer.
What is the role of chloroplasts?
Organelles responsible for photosynthesis, containing chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll captures light energy and gives plants their green color.
What is the chemical equation for photosynthesis?
6 CO2 + 6 H2O → C6H12O6 + 6 O2.
Fill in the blank: The _______ layer contains loosely packed cells and facilitates gas exchange.
spongy mesophyll
True or False: Monocots have net-like veins.
False
True or False: The palisade mesophyll layer is responsible for the majority of photosynthesis in leaves.
True
