WK1: Botany Glossary: University of California

Question 1

A root that grows from somewhere other than the primary root, for example, roots that arise from stems or leaves.

Answer 1

adventitious roots

Question 2

Life cycle in which haploid and diploid generations alternate with each other.

Answer 2

alternation of generations

Question 3

Seed plants which are pollinated by wind are said to be anemophilous.

Answer 3

anemophily

Question 4

n. A group of plants that produce seeds enclosed within an ovary, which may mature into a fruit; flowering plants.

Answer 4

angiosperm

Question 5

The pollen producing tip of a stamen; part of a flower.

Answer 5

anther

Question 6

The organ on a gametophyte plant which produces the sperm cells.

Answer 6

antheridium

Question 7

A flowering plant, or any of its closest relatives, such as the Bennettitales, Gnetales, or Pentoxylales.

Answer 7

anthophyte

Question 8

Group of cells at the growing tip of a branch or root. It divides cells to create new tissues.

Answer 8

apical meristem

Question 9

The organ on a gametophyte plant which produces the egg cell, and nurtures the young sporophyte.

Answer 9

archegonium

Question 10

The angle formed between a leaf stalk and the stem to which it is attached. In flowering plants, buds develop in the axils of leaves.

Answer 10

axil

Question 11

Describing a pinnate leaf in which the leaflets themselves are further subdivided in a pinnate fashion.

Answer 11

bipinnate

Question 12

When a flower or cone produces both megaspores and microspores, it is said to be bisporangiate. Most flowers are bisporangiate.

Answer 12

bisporangiate

Question 13

Any broad and flattened region of a plant or alga, which allows for increased photosynthetic surface area.

Answer 13

blade

Question 14

Any reduced leaf-like structure associated with a cone or flower.

Answer 14

bract

Question 15

Plants in which the gametophyte generation is the larger, persistent phase; they generally lack conducting tissues. Bryophytes include the Hepaticophyta (liverworts), Anthocerotophyta (hornworts), and Bryophyta (mosses).

Answer 15

bryophyte

Question 16

A unit of the pistil; it is evolutionarily a modified leaf.

Answer 16

carpel

Question 17

In cycads, a scale-like modified leaf which protects the developing true leaves.

Answer 17

cataphyll

Question 18

A small column of tissue which runs up through the center of a spore capsule. It is present in hornworts, mosses, and some rhyniophytes.

Answer 18

columella

Question 19

n. Leaves with two or more leaflets attached to a single leaf stem.

Answer 19

compound leaves

Question 20

n. The “seed leaves” produced by the embryo of a seed plant that serve to absorb nutrients packaged in the seed, until the seedling is able to produce its first true leaves and begin photosynthesis; the number of cotyledons is a key feature for the identification of the two major groups of flowering plants.

Answer 20

cotyledon

Question 21

A cell or part of a cell which assists in dispersing spores. The elaters change shape as they lose or acquire water, and they will then push against surrounding spores.

Answer 21

elater

Question 22

Synonym for the Plantae, as here defined. It includes all green photosynthetic organisms which begin the development of the sporophyte generation within the archegonium.

Answer 22

embryophyte

Question 23

Flaps of tissue such as those found on psilophytes.

Answer 23

enations

Question 24

Literally “inner skin”, this is a layer of cells which surrounds the central core of vascular tissue, and which helps to regulate the flow of water and dissolved substances.

Answer 24

endodermis

Question 25

Seed plants which are pollinated by insects are said to be entomophilous.

Answer 25

entomophily

Question 26

A plant which grows upon another plant. The epiphyte does not "eat" the plant on which it grows, but merely uses the plant for structural support, or as a way to get off the ground and into the canopy environment.

Answer 26

epiphyte

Question 27

When a plant's vascular tissue develops in discrete bundles, it is said to have a eustele. See also protostele and siphonostele.

Answer 27

eustele

Question 28

Elongated and thickened cell found in xylem tissue. It strengthens and supports the surrounding cells.

Answer 28

fiber

Question 29

Collection of reproductive structures found in flowering plants.

Answer 29

flower

Question 30

In flowering plants, the structure which encloses the seeds. True fruits develop from the ovary wall, such as bananas and tomatoes, though not all fruits are edible, such as the dry pods of milkweed or the winged fruits of the maple.

Answer 30

fruit

Question 31

(1) The texture of wood, produced by the kinds of xylem cells present. (2) The fruit of a member of the grasses.

Answer 31

grain

Question 32

Pair of cells which surround a stomate and regulate its size by altering their shape.

Answer 32

guard cells

Question 33

n. A plant that produces seeds, which are not enclosed; includes any seed plant that does not produce flowers.

Answer 33

gymnosperm

Question 34

The central reproductive stalk of an orchid, which consists of a stamen and pistil fused together.

Answer 34

gynostemium

Question 35

The general growth pattern of a plant. A plant's habit may be described as creeping, trees, shrubs, vines, etc.

Answer 35

habit

Question 36

Generally any plant which does not produce wood, and is therefore not as large as a tree or shrub, is considered to be an herb.

Answer 36

herb

Question 37

Producing two different kinds of sporangia, specifically microsporangia and megasporangia. Compare with heterosporous.

Answer 37

heterosporangiate

Question 38

Producing two different sizes or kinds of spores. These may come from the same or different sporangia, and may produce similar or different gametophytes. Contrast with homosporous, and compare with heterosporangiate.

Answer 38

heterosporous

Question 39

Anchoring base of an alga.

Answer 39

holdfast

Question 40

Producing only one size or kind of spore. Contrast with heterosporous.

Answer 40

homosporous

Question 41

n.Threadlike filaments that form the mycelium (body) of a fungus; hyphae- pl.

Answer 41

hypha

Question 42

A cluster of flowers.

Answer 42

inflorescence

Question 43

The region of a stem between two nodes, when there is no branching of the vascular tissue.

Answer 43

internode

Question 44

Any broad and flattened region of a plant or alga, which allows for increased photosynthetic surface area.

Answer 44

lamina

Question 45

An organ found in most vascular plants; it consists of a flat lamina (blade) and a petiole (stalk). Many flowering plants have additionally a pair of small stipules near the base of the petiole.

Answer 45

leaf

Question 46

The strand of vascular tissue which connects the leaf veins to the central vascular system of the stem.

Answer 46

leaf trace

Question 47

In a compound leaf, the individual blades are called leaflets.

Answer 47

leaflet

Question 48

Any member of the basal assemblage of flowering plants.

Answer 48

magnoliid

Question 49

Wood in which there is a great deal of parenchyma tissue among the xylem is called mannoxylic. Cycads and pteridosperms have mannoxylic wood. Contrast with pycnoxylic.

Answer 49

mannoxylic

Question 50

In plants which are heterosporous, the larger kind of spore is called a megaspore; it usually germinates into a female (egg-producing) gametophyte. Contrast with microspore.

Answer 50

megaspore

Question 51

Group of undifferentiated cells from which new tissues are produced. Most plants have apical meristems which give rise to the primary tissues of plants, and some have secondary meristems which add wood or bark.

Answer 51

meristem

Question 52

Group of cells which have all been produced from the same initial cell. Leaves and stems in particular are often built from specific patterns of merophytes.

Answer 52

merophytes

Question 53

A kind of leaf, specifically one which has a single, unbranched vein in it. Microphylls are only found in the lycophytes.

Answer 53

microphyll

Question 54

In plants which are heterosporous, the smaller kind of spore is called a microspore; it usually germinates into a male (sperm-producing) gametophyte. Contrast with megaspore.

Answer 54

microspore

Question 55

Symbiotic association between a fungus and the roots or rhizoids of a plant. More info?

Answer 55

mycorrhizae

Question 56

The region of a stem between two internodes, where there is branching of the vascular tissue into leaves or other appendages.

Answer 56

node

Question 57

In flowering plants, the part of the flower which encloses the ovules. When the ovary matures, it becomes the fruit.

Answer 57

ovary

Question 58

In seed plants, the structure which gives rise to the seed.

Answer 58

ovule

Question 59

Any member of a group of basal flowering herbs which may be the closest relatives of the monocots. They include the water lilies, Piperales, and Aristolochiales.

Answer 59

paleoherb

Question 60

A generalized cell or tissue in a plant. These cells may manufacture or store food, and can often divide or differentiate into other kinds of cells.

Answer 60

parenchyma

Question 61

A plant which continues to grow after it has reproduced, usually meaning that it lives for several years.

Answer 61

perennial

Question 62

The sepals and petals of a flower are together called the perianth; literally "around the anthers".

Answer 62

perianth

Question 63

A set of cells or cell parts which surround the opening of a moss sporangium. In many mosses, they are sensitive to humidity, and will alter their shape to aid in spore dispersal

Answer 63

peristome

Question 64

One of the outer appendages of a flower, located between the outer sepals and the stamens. Petals often display bright colors that serve to attract pollinators.

Answer 64

petal

Question 65

Nutrient-conducting tissue of vascular plants.

Answer 65

phloem

Question 66

The cell plate formed during cell division.

Answer 66

phragmoplast

Question 67

a papery "sooty" black layer over the seed of plants in the Asparagales, which includes agaves, aloes, onions and hyacinths. It is an important character for defining the group.

Answer 67

phytomelanin

Question 68

Leaves which are divided up like a feather are said to be pinnately compound.

Answer 68

pinnately compound

Question 69

The central set of organs in a flower; it is composed of one or more carpels.

Answer 69

pistil

Question 70

To severely damage the brain of a frog, also any central region of parenchyma tissue within a plant stem.

Answer 70

pith

Question 71

Thin regions of the cell wall in xylem conducting cells. Their structure is an important characteristic for recognizing different kinds of wood.

Answer 71

pits

Question 72

Cytoplasmic connections between neighboring cells in plant tissues.

Answer 72

plasmodesmata

Question 73

Having seeds which are flattened and disc-like. Contrast with radiospermic.

Answer 73

platyspermic

Question 74

Folded like a paper fan, as in the leaves of palms, cyclanthoids, and some orchids.

Answer 74

plicate

Question 75

The microspore of seed plants.

Answer 75

pollen

Question 76

In seed plants, the extension of the male gametophyte as it emerges from the pollen grain in search of the female gametophyte.

Answer 76

pollen tube

Question 77

Process of transferring the pollen from its place of production to the place where the egg cell is produced. This may be accomplished by the use of wind, water, insects, birds, bats, or other means. Pollination is usually followed by fertilization, in which sperm are released from the pollen grain to unite with the egg cell.

Answer 77

pollination

Question 78

A mass of fused pollen produced by many orchids.

Answer 78

pollinia

Question 79

When a plant's vascular tissue develops in a solid central bundle, it is said to have a protostele. See also siphonostele and eustele.

Answer 79

protostele

Question 80

Moisture-sensitive cells produced in the sporangium of hornworts.

Answer 80

pseudoelaters

Question 81

Plant in which the sporophyte generation is the larger phase and in which the gametophyte lives an existence independent of its parent sporophyte. Pteridophytes are almost all vascular plants, and include the lycophytes, trimerophytes, sphenophytes, and ferns.

Answer 81

pteridophyte

Question 82

An extinct group of seed plants which bore fern-like leaves.

Answer 82

pteridosperm

Question 83

Wood in which there is little or no parenchyma tissue among the xylem is called pycnoxylic. Conifers and flowering plants have pycnoxylic wood. Contrast with mannoxylic.

Answer 83

pycnoxylic

Question 84

The end of a plant embryo which gives rise to the first root.

Answer 84

radicle

Question 85

Having seeds which are round or ovoid. Contrast with platyspermic.

Answer 85

radiospermic

Question 86

Interconnecting, like a network.

Answer 86

reticulate

Question 87

n. A cellular outgrowth of a plant that usually aids in anchoring to the surface and increasing surface area to acquire water or nutrients; found in mosses, liverworts, and hornworts.

Answer 87

rhizoid

Question 88

n. A horizontal underground stem, such as found in many ferns, where only the leaves may stick up into the air; sphenophytes (horsetails and their relatives) spread via rhizomes, but also produce erect stems.

Answer 88

rhizome

Question 89

Usually the below ground portion of a plant. Contrast with shoot.

Answer 89

root

Question 90

A series of whorls of leaves or leaf-like structure produced at the base of the stem, just above the ground.

Answer 90

rosette

Question 91

Growth in a plant which does not occur at the tips of the stems or roots. Secondary growth produces wood and bark in seed plants.

Answer 91

secondary growth

Question 92

The outermost structures of a flower.

Answer 92

sepal

Question 93

Usually, the above ground portion of a plant, bearing the leaves. Contrast with root.

Answer 93

shoot

Question 94

When a plant's vascular tissue develops as a central cylinder, it is said to have a siphonostele. See also protostele and eustele.

Answer 94

siphonostele

Question 95

A seed plant.

Answer 95

spermatophyte

Question 96

A stalk to which sporangia are attached.

Answer 96

sporangiophore

Question 97

A chamber inside of which spores are produced through meiosis.

Answer 97

sporangium

Question 98

Any leaf which bears sporangia is called a sporophyll.

Answer 98

sporophyll

Question 99

Part of a flower, the tip of which produces pollen and is called the anther.

Answer 99

stamen

Question 100

The sticky tip of a pistil. Or, the dense region of pigments found in many photosynthetic protists which is sensitive to light, and thus functions somewhat like a miniature eye.

Answer 100

stigma

Question 101

A scientific term for "stalk".

Answer 101

stipe

Question 102

Paired appendages found at the base of the leaves of many flowering plants.

Answer 102

stipules

Question 103

Openings in the epidermis of a stem or leaf of a plant which permit gas exchange with the air. In general, all plants except liverworts have stomata in their sporophyte stage.

Answer 103

stomata

Question 104

The clade consisting of the plants plus their closest relatives, the charophytes.

Answer 104

The clade consisting of the plants plus their closest relatives, the charophytes.

Question 105

A tightly clustered group of sporophylls arranged on a central stalk; commonly termed a "cone" or "flower".

Answer 105

strobilus

Question 106

The narrow stalk of the pistil, located above the ovary but below the stigma.

Answer 106

style

Question 107

A cluster of sporangia which have become fused in development.

Answer 107

synangium

Question 108

When the sepals and petals of a flower are indistinguishable, they are referred to as tepals. Tepals are common in many groups of monocots.

Answer 108

tepal

Question 109

Plants which have no roots, stems, or leaves are called thalloid, such as liverworts and hornworts.

Answer 109

thalloid

Question 110

Any member of the clade of plants possessing vascular tissue; a vascular plant.

Answer 110

tracheophyte

Question 111

Any tall plant, including many conifers and flowering plants, as well as extinct lycophytes and sphenophytes.

Answer 111

tree

Question 112

An underground stem which has been modified for storage of nutrients, such as a potato.

Answer 112

tuber

Question 113

Force exerted outward on a cell wall by the water contained in the cell. This force gives the plant rigidity, and may help to keep it erect.

Answer 113

turgor pressure

Question 114

Growth of a plant by division of cells, without sexual reproduction.

Answer 114

vegetative growth

Question 115

The arrangement and pattern of veins in a leaf.

Answer 115

venation

Question 116

An arrangement of appendages, such as branches or leaves, such that all are equally spaced around the stem at the same point, much like the spokes of a wheel or the ribs of an umbrella

Answer 116

whorl

Question 117

A secondary tissue found in seed plants which consists largely of xylem tissue.

Answer 117

wood

Question 118

Water-conducting tissue of vascular plants.

Answer 118

xylem