Exam 2 Flashcards
(183 cards)
Cotyledon
Food storage organ that functions as “seed leaves”
Seed Embryo
Cotyledons and plantlet
Plumule
Embryo shoot
Epicotyl
Stem above cotyledon attachment
Hypocotyl
Stem below cotyledon attachment
Radicle
Tip of the embryo that develops into root
Epigeous germination
Hypocotyl lengthens, bends, and becomes hook-shaped. Top of hook emerges from ground, pulling cotyledons above ground.
Hypogeous germination
Hypocotyl remains short and cotyledons do not emerge above surface.
Germination
Beginning (or resumption) of seed growth. Some require period of dormancy. Brought about by mechanical or physiological factors, including growth-inhibiting substances present in seed coat or fruit. Break dormancy by mechanical abrasion, thawing and freezing, bacterial action, or soaking rains
Scarification
Artificially breaking dormancy
After ripening
Embryo composed of only a few cells; seeds will not germinate until embryo develops.
Favorable environmental factors needed for germination
Water and oxygen. Light (or lack thereof). Proper temperature. Enzymes in cytoplasm begin to function after water is imbibed.
Seed viability can be extended
Depending on species and storage conditions: dry, low temperatures.
Vivipary
No period of dormancy; embryo continues to grow while fruit is still on parent
Diffusion
Movement of molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration. Moving with concentration gradient to equilibrium. Rate based on pressure, temperature, and density of medium
Solvent
Liquid in which substances dissolve
Semipermeable membrane
Some substances can diffuse; others cannot. Different substances diffuse at different rates. All plant cell membranes
Osmosis
Water specific - diffusion of water through a semipermeable membrane
Osmotic pressure
Pressure required to prevent osmosis
Osmotic potential
Balanced by resistance of cell wall. Water moves from cell with higher water potential to cell with lower water potential
Pressure potential (Turgor Pressure)
Pressure that develops against walls as result of water entering cell
Turgid Cell
Firm cell due to water gained by osmosis
Pathway of water through plant
Osmosis is primary entrance method. Enters cell walls and intercellular spaces of root hairs and roots. Crosses differentially permeable membrane and cytoplasm of endodermis into the xylem. Flows through xylem to leaves and diffuses out through stomata
Plasmolysis
Loss of water through osmosis accompanied by shrinkage of protoplasm away from the cell wall