W7 Ch.30 Definitions

Question 1

Xylem

Answer 1

A type of plant tissue responsible for transporting water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant. It consists of various cell types, including vessel elements, tracheids, fibers, and parenchyma cells

Question 2

Phleom

Answer 2

A plant tissue responsible for transporting organic nutrients, such as sugars, produced during photosynthesis, from the leaves (or other source tissues) to the rest of the plant. Phloem consists of sieve tube elements, companion cells, fibers, and parenchyma cells

Question 3

Dendridic

Answer 3

Relating to or resembling a dendrite, which is a branched extension of a nerve cell that conducts electrical impulses toward the cell body

Question 4

Vessel Members

Answer 4

Specialized cells in xylem tissue that are aligned end-to-end to form long tubes, facilitating the efficient transport of water and minerals in plants

Question 5

Epidermis

Answer 5

The outermost layer of cells covering the aerial parts of plants, such as leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits. It serves as a protective barrier against environmental stresses and pathogens

Question 6

Fiber

Answer 6

Elongated, thick-walled cells found in plant tissues, providing structural support and rigidity. Fibers are often present in xylem, phloem, and other supporting tissues of plants

Question 7

Parenchyma

Answer 7

A type of simple plant tissue composed of relatively unspecialized cells with thin cell walls. Parenchyma cells are involved in various functions, including storage, photosynthesis, and secretion

Question 8

Tracheid

Answer 8

A type of elongated cell found in xylem tissue, characterized by tapered ends and secondary cell wall thickening. Tracheids are involved in water conduction and mechanical support in plants

Question 9

Meristem

Answer 9

Plant tissue composed of actively dividing cells, responsible for plant growth and development. Meristems are found in regions of plant growth, such as the tips of roots and shoots

Question 10

Primary Growth

Answer 10

Growth resulting from the activity of primary meristems, leading to an increase in the length of roots and shoots

Question 11

Secondary Growth

Answer 11

Growth resulting from the activity of secondary meristems, such as the vascular cambium and cork cambium, leading to an increase in the girth or diameter of stems and roots

Question 12

Vascular Cambium

Answer 12

A lateral meristem responsible for secondary growth in plants, producing secondary xylem (wood) towards the interior and secondary phloem towards the exterior

Question 13

Cork Cambium

Answer 13

A lateral meristem responsible for secondary growth in woody plants, producing cork cells towards the exterior, which form the protective bark of the plant

Question 14

Plasmodesmata

Answer 14

Small channels traversing the cell walls of plant cells, allowing for communication and transport of materials between adjacent cells

Question 15

Vacuole

Answer 15

A membrane-bound organelle found in plant cells, responsible for storage of water, nutrients, and waste products, as well as maintaining turgor pressure

Question 16

Cavitation

Answer 16

The formation of air bubbles or cavities in the water-conducting elements of plants, often due to physical stresses or environmental factors, leading to disruption of water flow

Question 17

Root

Answer 17

The subterranean part of a plant, typically responsible for anchorage, absorption of water and minerals from the soil, and storage of reserve substances

Question 18

Shoot

Answer 18

The aboveground part of a plant, consisting of stems, leaves, flowers, and reproductive structures

Question 19

Cuticle

Answer 19

A waxy, water-repellent layer covering the aerial parts of plants, such as leaves and stems, serving to reduce water loss and protect against pathogens

Question 20

Stomata

Answer 20

Small pores found on the surfaces of leaves and stems, surrounded by specialized guard cells, allowing for gas exchange (such as CO2 uptake and oxygen release) and transpiration in plants

Question 21

Companion Cell

Answer 21

A specialized cell found alongside sieve tube elements in phloem tissue, involved in supporting and regulating the function of sieve tube elements

Question 22

Sapwood

Answer 22

The outer, living portion of wood in a tree, active in fluid transport. It is lighter in color than heartwood and contains functioning xylem tissue

Question 23

Hardwood

Answer 23

Wood derived from angiosperm trees (flowering plants), typically characterized by broad leaves, enclosed seeds, and vessel elements in the xylem

Question 24

Casparian strip

Answer 24

A band of impermeable, hydrophobic material found in the cell walls of endodermal cells in plant roots, preventing the uncontrolled flow of water and solutes into the vascular system

Question 25

Totipotency

Answer 25

The ability of a single plant cell to give rise to a whole plant under suitable conditions, typically demonstrated in plant tissue culture and regeneration experiments

Question 26

Indeterminate Growth

Answer 26

Growth in which an organism continues to grow throughout its life, with no fixed endpoint or final size. Many plants exhibit indeterminate growth

Question 27

Determinate growth

Answer 27

Growth in which an organism reaches a genetically predetermined size or structure and then stops growing. Examples include most animals and certain plant structures, such as flowers.

Question 28

Primary meristem

Answer 28

Meristematic tissue responsible for primary growth in plants, including the apical meristems at the tips of roots and shoots, contributing to elongation of these structures

Question 29

Monocot

Answer 29

A monocot, short for monocotyledon, is a type of flowering plant characterized by having seeds with one cotyledon (embryonic leaf), parallel veined leaves, flower parts in multiples of three, and scattered vascular bundles in the stem

Question 30

Eudicot

Answer 30

Eudicots, or eudicotyledons, are a group of flowering plants characterized by having seeds with two cotyledons, net-veined leaves, flower parts in multiples of four or five, and vascular bundles arranged in a ring in the stem

Question 31

Organ

Answer 31

An organ is a specialized structure within an organism that performs a specific function or functions. Examples include the heart, liver, and leaf

Question 32

Tissue

Answer 32

Tissue refers to a group of cells that have similar structure and function, working together to perform a specific task. There are four primary types of tissues in animals: epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous. In plants, tissues include vascular, ground, and dermal tissues

Question 33

Apical Bud

Answer 33

An apical bud, also known as a terminal bud, is a bud located at the tip of a stem. It is responsible for primary growth in length of the stem

Question 34

Auxillary Bud

Answer 34

An axillary bud is located in the angle formed between the stem and a leaf. It has the potential to form a lateral branch or flower

Question 35

Internode

Answer 35

An internode is the region of a stem between two nodes, where leaves, branches, or buds may grow

Question 36

Collenchyma

Answer 36

Collenchyma is a type of simple, living plant tissue characterized by elongated cells with thickened cell walls. Collenchyma provides support to growing plant parts and is often found beneath the epidermis in stems and petioles

Collenchyma cells help transport and distribute various essential nutrients to all the parts of the plant

Question 37

Ground Tissue

Answer 37

Ground tissue is one of the three main tissue types in plants, alongside dermal and vascular tissues. Ground tissue makes up the bulk of the plant body and serves functions such as photosynthesis, storage, and support. Parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma are types of ground tissue

Question 38

Parenchyma

Answer 38

Parenchyma is a type of simple plant tissue composed of thin-walled, living cells. Parenchyma cells are often involved in photosynthesis, storage, and secretion. They are found in various plant organs, including leaves, stems, and roots

Question 39

Sclereid

Answer 39

Sclereids are a type of sclerenchyma cell characterized by their irregular shape and thick, lignified cell walls. Sclereids provide mechanical support and protection in plant tissues. They are found in hard tissues like seed coats and fruit shells

Question 40

Sclerenchyma

Answer 40

Sclerenchyma is a type of plant tissue characterized by thickened, lignified secondary walls. It provides structural support and protection to the plant. Sclerenchyma cells are generally dead at maturity and can be found in regions requiring mechanical strength, such as stems, roots, and vascular bundles