Plant Form and Function Flashcards
What is a tissue? Give an example.
A group of cells consisting of one or more cell types that together perform a specialized function.
ex. xylem
What is an organ? Give an example.
Several types of tissues that carry out particular functions.
ex. roots, stems and leaves
Where do plants sustain growth?
Apical meristems
Describe some characteristics of apical meristems.
- facilitate primary growth
- populations of pluripotent stem cells
- make the plant
- axial growth (growth in length)
true or false; the shoot apical meristem makes all of the cells below ground
false, that is the role of the root apical meristem
true or false; the root apical meristem makes all of the cells above ground
false, that is the role of the shoot apical meristem
What is the function of lateral meristems?
adding thickness to plants, in a process called secondary growth.
What are the 2 lateral meristems?
cork cambium and vascular cambium
what is the function of the vascular cambium?
adding layers of secondary xylem (wood) and secondary phloem (inner bark) in woody plants
what is the function of the cork cambium?
replaces epidermis with tougher and thicker periderm (outer bark).
where is the cork cambium located with respect to the vascular cambium
external to the vascular cambium
what comprises the dermal tissue system in non-woody plants. what is their function?
epidermis - protects plant
cuticle - prevents water loss from epidermis
what is the dermal tissue system comprised of in woody plants. what is its function?
epidermis in younger regions of plant
periderm in older regions of plant
both protect the plant
what is the function of the epidermis in roots?
allows for water to enter
what is the function of the epidermis in shoots?
guard cells - allow for gas exchange
trichomes - protect the plant from insects/water loss
what are trichomes?
outgrowths of the epidermis which protect the plants from insects/water loss/excess sun exposure
are living cells w/ a nucleus
what type of trichome has accumulated specialized metabolites for plant defence?
glandular trichomes (big ball on end)
what is the function of the dermal tissue system?
to protect the plant
what is the function of the vascular tissue system?
long distance transport between roots and shoots and provides mechanical support.
What is the function of the xylem?
Transports water and dissolved minerals upwards from roots to shoots.
What is the function of phloem?
Transports organic nutrients from where they are made to where they are needed.
The vascular tissue system of a shoot/root is collectively called the ____.
Stele
How is the stele organized in angiosperm roots?
Into one central vascular cylinder
How is the stele organized in angiosperm shoots?
In vascular bundles with the strands of xylem interior to the strands of phloem.