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RHS Level 2 EJM > R2101 - Structure & function of plant cells, tissues & vegetative organs > Flashcards

R2101 - Structure & function of plant cells, tissues & vegetative organs Flashcards

1
Q

2.1 State the function of a cell wall.

A
  • the outer coating of the cell, the physical container for the cell contents
  • made of cellulose in a mesh pattern
  • when young it’s elastic, stretches as the cell grows
  • when mature more rigid
  • forms a mesh allowing substances dissolved in water to pass through (but not larger items including fungal spores)
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2
Q

2.1 State the function of a cell membrane.

A
  • controls the passage of substances (dissolved in water) to pass into and out of the cell
  • water passes through by the process of osmosis
  • sugars and other substances are excluded by the membrane
  • some excluded substances may be allowed through by the process of active transport, a process similar to what happens in the roots and the phloem
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3
Q

2.1 State the function of the nucleus.

A
  • contains all the genetic information the cell needs to carry out its functions
  • it’s use of DNA and RNA enables it to coordinate the activities of the organelles within the cell
  • DNA stays within the nucleus
  • DNA enables the cell to duplicate itself, enabling the plant to grow
  • RNA moves out through the nucleus membrane and into the cytoplasm
  • RNA assembles chemical compounds within the cell, which enables the cell to fulfill its particular functions
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4
Q

2.1 State the function of the vacuole.

A
  • a fluid sac which may take up a lot of space in some cells
  • helps the cell maintain its shape and rigidity
  • the physical strength that fluid-filled vacuoles give the plant is known as turgidity
  • acts as storage for compounds in solution
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5
Q

2.1 State the function of the cytoplasm.

A
  • a jelly like substance (mostly water) contained by the membrane
  • allows substances in it (sugars, dissolved minerals etc) to move around between the cell components
  • suspended within the cytoplasm are a variety of cell components called organelles
  • the cytoplasm contains a network of protein strands which hold the organelles in plasm - otherwise gravity would pull them to the bottom of the cell
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6
Q

2.1 State the function of the chloroplast.

A
  • chloroplast plays a crucial role, as it contains the chlorophyll which transforms CO2 and water into sugars, using energy from light
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7
Q

2.1 State the function of the mitochondrion.

A
  • mitochondria are small bodies which act as an energy source for the cell
  • this where where the chemical reactions take place which power the cell’s activities
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8
Q

2.1 Describe where cell division is located within the plant.

A
  • Plant tissues are made up of cells, and growth is driven by cell division, when a cell divides into two
  • Cell division is most active in special tissues called meristematic tissues
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9
Q

2.1 Describe meristematic tissues or meristems.

A
  • meristematic tissues are where new cells are produced by cell division
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10
Q

2.1 Describe a lateral meristem.

A
  • lateral meristems are responsible for width-ways growth
  • continues the process of growth in woody plants
  • stems get wider and become woody
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11
Q

2.1 Describe apical meristems.

A
  • an apical meristem is found at the tip of a stem or root
  • it enables stems and roots to get longer
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12
Q

2.1 Describe how plants increase in size (cell division)

A
  • Plants grow because they increase the number of cells they have by the process of cell division
  • during cell division, chromosomes in the nucleus divide and separate
  • then rest of the cell splits to form two new cells
  • cells are initially undifferentiated
  • as they mature they become different types of cell, depending on their function within the plan - a process called differentiation
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13
Q

2.1 Describe how plants increase in size (cell enlargement)

A
  • cell enlargement happens at the base of the meristem after cell division
  • each cell elongates, takes in water to fill out the vacuole
  • the cell then begins to develop the specialist structures which will enable it to carry out its functions (differentiation)
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14
Q

2.2 State what is meant by the term plant tissue.

A

A collection of similar cells performing an organised function for the plant.

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15
Q

2.2 Describe the characteristics and function of the protective tissues (epidermis)

A
  • the epidermis covers the entire plant (the skin of the plant)
  • is a single layer of cells, which are adapted to form a protective layer
  • contains all other tissues and protects against water loss and physical damage
  • some of these cells, mostly on the lower surfaces of leaves, are especially adapted to form openings – the stomata
  • the stomata open and close and so allow gaseous exchange between the plant and the atmosphere: carbon dioxide and oxygen in particular
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16
Q

2.2 Describe the characteristics and function of the meristematic tissues (cambium)

A
  • Meristematic tissues are responsible for plant growth
  • Meristems make unspecialised cells that have the potential to become any type of specialised cell
  • they are present at the tips of roots, stem and branches
  • in woody plants the lateral meristem forms the cambium layer, which is continually growing to produce a steadily wider stem
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17
Q

2.2 Describe the characteristics and function of the transport tissues (phloem)

A

Moves sucrose and amino acids produced by photosynthesis to where they are needed for:

  • growing parts of the plant for immediate use
  • storage organs such as bulbs and tubers
  • developing seeds

Mostly carries this solution the other way to the xylem – down from the leaves towards the roots. Sometimes however transport maybe the other way, depending on the needs of the plant.

Requires energy as it is an active process

Living cells

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18
Q

2.2 Describe the characteristics and function of the transport tissues (xylem)

A
  • A tissue which transports water and minerals from the roots upwards to the plant stem and leaves
  • A physical process. Does not require energy
  • Xylem cells are generally not living, the cells having died soon after formation
  • Forms a continuous, hollow tube strengthened by lignin
  • Gives strength and support to the plant
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19
Q

2.2 Describe the characteristics and function of the packing tissues (parenchyma)

A
  • packing material
  • living plant tissue
  • majority of stem tissue in herbaceous plants, leaves, flowers and fruit in most plants
  • adaptable, with differentiation to various functions
  • involved in photosynthesis, secretion, food storage
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20
Q

2.3 State the primary functions of the root.

A
  • anchors the plant to the ground or other growing surface
  • enables the plant to extract water from the soil
  • enables mineral nutrients to to be extracted and passed, in solution, into the plant
  • also often function as storage organs for nutrients
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21
Q

2.3 Describe a tap root including its origin.

A
  • tap root originates from the radicle
  • the radicle is the first part of a seedling to emerge from the seed
  • the tap root plunges downwards, sending out smaller lateral roots from the side
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22
Q

2.3 Describe a lateral root including its origin.

A
  • originate from the primary root
  • smaller roots that extend horizontally from the primary tap root
  • help to anchor the plant securely into the soil
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23
Q

2.3 Describe a fibrous root including its origin.

A
  • originates from the base of the stem
  • grow close to the surface and spread horizontally
  • less effective at anchorage
  • very effective at obtaining water and nutrients from the soil
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24
Q

2.3 Describe an adventitious root including its origin.

A
  • originate from stem; underground or above ground
  • can grow from any part of the plant except the radical
  • grown by plants for stability
  • grown by plants trying to occupy new territory and spread
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25
Q

2.3 Describe the difference between monocotyledon and dicotyledon roots.

A
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26
Q

2.3 Describe the function of the root cap.

A
  • a protective cover for the apical meristem
  • it produces a lubricating gel which eases the root through the soil
27
Q

2.3 Describe the function of the apical meristem with in a root.

A

behind the root cap, the growing tip

area of cell division where new cells are produced

28
Q

2.3 Describe the function of the zone of elongation within a root.

A
  • where young cells stretch and become longer by taking in water
29
Q

2.3 Describe the function of the zone of differentiation with a root.

A
  • cells stop elongating and take on their adult form
  • some will form the xylem and phloem
  • others will form the endodermis and pericycle
30
Q

2.3 Describe the function of root hairs.

A
  • result of single cells of the epidermis elongating
  • short-lived but play an immensely important role
  • enable the plant to absorb water and nutrients from the soil
31
Q

2.3 Describe the function of the root epidermis.

A
  • single layer of cells which has an absorptive and protective function
  • aids in absorption of water and minerals
  • unlike stem epidermis it lacks cuticle as reducing water loss unnecessary in the root
32
Q

2.3 Describe the function of the root cortex.

A
  • cells lying between the epidermis and the vascular tissues
  • respires to produce energy for the growth of the root
  • absorbs mineral nutrients
  • may also store starch
33
Q

2.3 Describe the function of the root endodermis.

A

single layer of cells between the cortex and pericycle

controls the passage of water and nutrients into the stele (central region of the root)

34
Q

2.3 Describe the function of the pericycle.

A
  • just inside the endodermis
  • capable of producing lateral roots which then thrust outwards through the cortex
35
Q

2.3 Describe the function of phloem in the root.

A
  • transports sugars from the leaves to provide energy for the living cells of the root
36
Q

2.3 Describe the function of xylem in the root.

A

transports water and dissolved minerals up to the stem and leaves

37
Q

2.3 Describe the function of cambium in the root.

A

monocots - a layer of cambium between xylem and phloem to allows for some increased growth

dicots - cambium tissue is more extensive and allows for gradual thickening of the root

38
Q

2.3 Root adaptations (with examples) - storage/perennation

A
  • roots are often adapted to function as storage organs
  • sugars are often converted into starches for long-term storage
  • perennation - storing food enabling the plant to survive unfavourable conditions
  • example storage organs - tap roots (biennials Daucus = carrots), tubers (perennials, Dahlia and Solanum tuberosum = potatoes)
39
Q

2.3 Root adaptations (with examples) - tap root and root tuber

A
  • roots are often adapted to function as storage organ - sugars are often converted into starches for long-term storage
  • tap roots biennials Daucus (carrots)
  • tubers perennials - Dahlia and Solanum tuberosum (potatoes)
40
Q

2.3 Root adaptations (with examples) - climbing

A
  • aerial roots, specialised adventitious roots, which grow out of the stem
  • used to anchor a climbing plant to a surface
  • Hedera helix (ivy)
41
Q

2.3 Root adaptations (with examples) - support/prop

A
  • aerial roots, specialised adventitious roots, which grow out of the stem, acting as prop roots to help support the plant
  • Zea mays (maize)
42
Q

2.4 State the primary functions of the stem.

A
  • transportation of water and nutrients between the roots and the leaves
  • hold leaves and flowers in optimum position for the plant:
  1. Leaves need to be held apart from each other so they do not shade each other – their spacing on the stem helps this
  2. Flowers need to be held up to attract pollinators
  3. Seed heads need to be in an elevated position to maximise distribution
43
Q

2.4 Draw and label a transverse section through a young dicotyledon stem.

A
  1. epidermis
  2. cortex
  3. cambium
  4. phloem
  5. xylem
  6. pith
  7. vascular bundle
44
Q

2.4 Draw and label the external structures of a young dicotyledon stem.

A
  1. lenticels
  2. nodes
  3. auxillary buds
  4. apical buds
  5. scale scars
  6. leaf scars
45
Q

2.4 Name and state the functions of a stem’s internal components.

A
  1. epidermis - protective cellsaround the stem, containsstomatato allowgas exchangebetweenplantandatmosphere
  2. cortex - Packing Cells, beneath epidermis (parenchyma)
  3. cambium - Meristematic cells, allows continued growth (part of vascular bundle)
  4. phloem - transport cells, part of vascular bundle, transports food down and up (living)
  5. xylem - transport cells, part of vascular bundle, transports food up (non living)
  6. pith - central part of the stem (parenchyma)
  7. vascular bundle - Phloem | Cambium | Xylem
46
Q

2.4 Name and state the functions of a stem’s external components.

A
  1. lenticels - Pores on stem for gas exchange between the atmosphere and internal tissues
  2. nodes - the point where a leaf joins the stem
  3. buds - tightly-packed young leaves (and sometimes flowers) for growth next year
  4. bud scales - protective coating surrounding buds
  5. axillary buds - smaller buds which will develop into lateral (i.e. side) branches
  6. apical buds - buds at the stem tip – they make the stem grow longer next year
  7. bud scale scars - shows where last year’s apical bud was positioned
  8. leaf scars - where leaves were attached in the previous growing season
47
Q

2.4 Describe how the stem is adapted to perform
other functions - protection

A
  • spines (thorns) - modified branches growing from axillary buds e.g Crataegus spp. (hawthorns)
  • protect the plants from being eaten by grazing animals
  • common on plants of dry environments
  • prickles - specialised outgrowths of the epidermis e.g Rosa spp. (Roses)
  • prickles enable the plants to climb
48
Q

2.4 Describe how the stem is adapted to perform
other functions - storage/perennation

A

Modified underground stems provide food storage for the plant during winter or other seasons when the plant is dormant – this allows for perennation (the plant to be perennial)

corms - compressed underground shoots which the stem is swollen with starch. Each year new corms form on top of the old one e.g. Crocus ‘Barr’s Purple’

tubers - Solanum tuberosum (potato)

rhizomes - thickened stems which run along the ground surface, rooting into the ground as they go e.g Iris germanica

49
Q

2.4 Describe how the stem is adapted to perform
other functions - climbing

A

Climbing plants use stems to attach themselves to supports and climb. This is often done through the stem ‘twining’, i.e. spiralling around the support

Wisteria passiflora

50
Q

2.4 Describe how the stem is adapted to perform
other functions - natural vegetative reproduction

A

natural vegetative reproduction - stems stretch out projecting growth and potential new plants, way beyond the parent

stolons (runners) - Fragaria spp. (strawberries)

rhizomes - Iris germanica

tubers - Solanun tuberosum (potato)

51
Q

2.5 State the primary function of leaves.

A
  • Leaves vary greatly in colour, shape and the way that they are arranged on the stem.
  • The primary function of leaves is to act as a site for photosynthesis.
52
Q

2.5 Leaves - Describe the petiole.

A

petiole - the stalk where the leaf is attached to the stem

53
Q

2.5 Leaves - Describe the lamina.

A

lamina - the blade or body of the leaf

54
Q

2.5 Leaves - Describe the veins

A

veins - contain xylem and phloem and act as transport networks linking the leaf lamina with the rest of the plant

55
Q

2.5 Leaves - Describe the midrib

A

midrib - large strengthened vein running along the centre of a dicotyledon leaf

56
Q

2.5 Leaves - Describe a simple leaf.

A
  • undivided
  • continuous leaf blade
  • axilliary bud at the base of the petiole
57
Q

2.5 Leaves - Describe a compound leaf.

A
  • made up of multiple leaflets.
58
Q

2.5 Leaves - Describe a pinnate leaf.

A
  • compound
  • leaflets arranged in two rows either side of a midrib (like a feather)
59
Q

2.5 Leaves - Describe a palmate leaf.

A
  • compound
  • palmate (like the palm of the hand)
  • leaflets all join the stem at the same point
60
Q

2.5 Leaves - Describe how leaves are adapted to perform other functions - storage/perennation

A
  • bulbs are plants which produce leaves directly from an underground storage organ (the bulb)
  • bulbs are made up of leaf bases, which have swollen up to store nutrients and water for perennation
  • Narcissus spp. & tulipa spp.
  • leaves act as storage for water in many succulent plants Sedum spp. & Aeonium spp.
61
Q

2.5 Leaves - Describe how leaves are adapted to perform other functions - protection

A

some plants have evolved turning some leaves into spines Berberis spp. (barberry) as protection against grazing herbivores

Cacti all leaves have truned into spines, offering protection and reducing water loss

62
Q

2.5 Leaves - Describe how leaves are adapted to perform other functions - climbing tendrils/twining

A

tendrils/climbing enable climbing plants reach up towards the light

  • some plants have evolved leaves which form tendrils that cling on to anything in their path Lathyrus odoratus (sweet pea)
  • some plants do the same thing with leaves where the petioles twist (twining) around possible supports Clematis spp.
63
Q

2.5 Leaves - Describe how leaves are adapted to perform other functions - attracting pollinators by bracts

A
  • bracts are brightly coloured leaves around flower clusters to aid in attracting pollinators
  • where there are bracts the flowers themselves are relatively insignificant
  • Hydrangea spp.

RHS Level 2 EJM (32 decks)

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