Topic 9 - Plant biology Flashcards
Define transpiration
Water loss through leaves via evaporation and diffusion
Define transpiration stream
Flow of water within a plant from
roots -> leaves
Define cohesion
H bonds between water (same molecules) hold /stick together
Define adhesion
H bonds between water and the side of the xylem vessels help to counteract gravity
Provides force to pull water up sides of xylem tubes
What are stomata?
Pores in epidermis that allow movement + exchange of gases
What are guard cells?
Pair of curved cells that surround /are either side of stoma
Get small /big depending on pressure
How do stomata in the lead inevitably lead to transpiration?
CO2 required for photosynthesis and is acquired through gas exchange
For this to happen, stomata must open, and so water vapour is able to leave through these pores
Define diffusion
Net movement of particles from area of high conc -> area of low conc
Define active transport
Movement of ions /molecules from area of low conc -> area of high conc (against conc gradient)
Across cell membrane
Using energy from respiration
Assisted by enzymes
Define Osmosis
Movement of water from dilute solution -> conc solution
Across a pp membrane
(High water conc -> low water conc)
Water moves in plants via osmosis
Tension forces in leaf cell walls are generated due to the opposing forces of:
Water molecules evaporating from cell surfaces to move out of leaf by diffusion (down conc gradient)
Adhesion of water molecules to cell walls due to H bonding
Water is able to move through the plant under tension due to:
Thick walls of the xylem vessel elements, which are strengthened w/ lignin, preventing the vessels collapse
Pores on the end walls of xylem vessel elements allowing continuous columns of water molecules to form
Cohesion that holds water molecules in a column through H bonding
As water is removed from the surface of the spongy cells by evaporation, what will happen to the:
Water conc?
Pressure?
What part of the leaf supplies water to replace that which is lost?
Where will water flow from to counteract this change in pressure?
Both will decrease
Xylem supplies water
Water flows from lower down the xylem
Define xerophyte
A plant which requires very little water in order to survive
What are some adaptations of xerophytes?
Leaf hairs - trap moist air, reducing conc gradient, reducing diffusion from stomata
Reduces thick leaves - reduce sa
Spines - extreme reduction of sa
Rolled leaves + stomata in pits - traps moist air next to stomata, reducing conc gradient
Thickened waxy cuticle - reduces evaporation of water from the top surface of the leaves
Reduced stomata - decreases openings that water loss occurs through
Define halophtes
Plants that can survive in water with a high salt content
What are some adaptations of Halophytes?
Salt glands - secrete salt eg. Mangroves
Area - small
Lock away
Thick - cuticle
Sunken stomata - reduces water loss (high humidity around stomata)
Succulent - store water
How does temperature affect the rate of transpiration?
Temperature increases the rate of transpiration as more rapid evaporation + diffusion of water out of stomata. Evaporation etc takes place as higher amount of kinetic energy available to convert liquid water -> vapour
How does light intensity affect transpiration rate?
Plants respire (not directly) in light compared to in the dark. Light stimulates the opening of stomata and warms the leaf
How does humidity affect transpiration rate?
Rate of diffusion increases when the air is dry as there is a larger conc gradient for the vapour to move across
How does wind affect transpiration rate?
No breeze causes surrounding air to be humid, so less transpiration takes place
If there is a breeze then humid air is carried away and so transpiration rate increases
Define translocation
The transport of soluble food material from one plant to another via the phloem /xylem
Carries amino acids, DNA (nucleic acids) - dissolved in water as a solution
What does transpiration carry + in what direction?
What does translocation carry + in what direction
Transpiration carries minerals dissolved in water and carries it up
Translocation carries dissolved organic molecules in various directions
Plants transport organic compounds from ____ -> _____
Source -> sink
What is a source
A plant organic that is a net producer of sucrose eg.
Summer - leaves
Spring - tubers /bulbs
What is a sink
A plant organ that (uses /stores) consumes sucrose eg.
Summer - roots, seeds, flowers and fruits
Spring - anywhere else: leaves, stems
Define intermediate
Not having all roots /branches ending in a flower bud + so potential for indefinite growth
What process is needed for stem extension to produce new cells?
Cell division (growth = division)
What process is needed for leaf development?
Differentiation (development = differentiation)
Apical meristem:
Where is it found?
What is it part of? (p /s growth)
What does it add?
What does it cause?
Found in tips of roots + stems
Part of primary growth
It adds length /height
Causes herbaceous, non woody stems + roots
(Following growth, differentiation occurs)
Lateral meristem:
Where is it found?
What is it part of? (p /s growth)
What does it add?
What does it cause?
It is found within stems /trunks
Part of secondary growth
It adds girth /breadth
Causes thicker plants
(Vascular cambium: xylem + phloem,, cork cambium = bark of plant)
Define:
Tropism
Positive tropism
Negative tropism
Growth in response to a stimulus
Growth towards a stimulus
Growth away a stimulus
Define:
Phototropism
Geotropism
Growth in response to direction of light
Growth in response to direction of gravity
What response occurs to the stimulus of light in the:
Shoots
Roots
Positive phototropism in shoots
Negative phototropism in roots