Botany Flashcards
Bryophytes
Simple non vascular plants such as mosses
CO2
Carbon dioxide. A simple inorganic molecule comprised of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. A by-product of respiration.
Angiosperms
Flowering, seed-bearing, vascular plants
As op. to: gymnosperms, ferns, nonvascular
Cone
Male pollen-bearing and female ova-and-seed-bearing organs of conifers
Cuticle
Waxy protective coating of a leaf
Dispersal
Movement away from location of parent; of plants, typically animal, wind, or water dispersal
Enzyme
A protein that catalyzes a chemical reaction, either helping build or break down a compound
Epidermis
(Of a leaf) outer layer of cells
Evergreen
(Of a plant) the characteristic of retaining functional leaves for at least a full year
(ex: broadleaf evergreen tropical trees, or coniferous needle leaved evergreen trees of the boreal forest)
Ferns
A specific group of nonflowering, nonseed-bearing, vascular plants
Flower
A reproductive unit of a plant (compare with inflorescence)
Forb
An herbaceous, non-grasslike plant…ex: sunflower, iris, violet
Genet
A genetic individual, often made up of multiple vegetative units, sharing resources to some degree (as op to: ramet
Gymnosperms
Nonflowering, seed-bearing, vascular plants ex pines
Inflorescence
The flowering branch; a collection of flowers developed from a single branch ; either a head (ex sunflower), branched, or spike like
Internode
A section of a stem connecting nodes; the region of the stem associated with elongation
Leaf
Primary photosynthetic organ of a plant
Know: classes of shape, simple v. Pinnately compound v. Palmately compound, paired/opposite v. Alternate
Lichen
A type of organism formed by a mutualistic symbiosis btwn lichen-forming fungi and algae. Algae provide photosynthesis, fungus provides mineral nutrients from enviro. Shape can be: crustose, foliose and fruticose growth forms are flat or crust like, leafy, and branching architectures
Life Form
The characteristic vegetative form or appearance of a species at maturity (tree, shrub, herb, etc)
Margin
(Of a leaf) The outer edge: entire, serrated, lobed.
Meristem
Tissue undifferentiated cells that divide and thereby facilitate growth. Vascular cambium is a type.
Mitochondrion
organelle in plant and animal cells responsible for cellular respiration, the breakdown of complex molecules into ATP, the form of energy that can be used by cells.
Mycorrhizae, mycorrhizal fungi
fungi which infect plant roots, and which typically facilitate nutrient and water uptake through increased surface area and extracellular enzymes and acids; typically very important for phosphorus (P) uptake.
Node
a section of a stem containing buds for leaves, flowers or cones.