Plants Review Questions

Question 1

Among the 4 main groups of plants, what is the distinguishing feature of bryophytes?

Answer 1

Bryophytes are the only group of plants that are non-vascular.

Question 2

Among the 4 main groups of plants, what is the distinguishing feature of angiosperms?

Answer 2

Angiosperms are the only group of plants that produce flowers and fruit.

Question 3

What are the 3 types of plant tissue other than meristematic, and what are their functions?

Answer 3

dermal tissue: physical protection, prevention of water loss, water absorption, gas exchange…

ground tissue: photosynthesis; storage of nutrients, carbohydrates, water; healing of wounds;
regenerating plant parts; growth; support

vascular tissue: transporting water, dissolved substances, sugars and other solutes throughour
the plant

Question 4

What is the difference between primary & secondary succession?

Answer 4

succession is the gradual change of species in an area; primary succession occurs in an area that has no plants/ animals/soil; secondary succession occurs in an ecosystem that has been disturbed

Question 5

What is the difference between a monocot and eudicot seed?

Answer 5

Monocot seeds have 1 cotyledon (seed leaf) & Eudicot seeds have 2 cotyledons.

Question 6

What is the difference between a herbaceous stem and a woody stem?

Answer 6

herbaceous stem: contain little or no wood woody stem: stem with secondary growth

Question 7

Describe one symbiotic (mutualistic) relationship between plant roots & another species.

Answer 7

Mycorrhizae: Fungus + plant roots. Plant provides sugar & fungus provides soil nutrients.
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria: Bacteria converts N2 in the air to soluble nitrate for the plant to use.

Question 8

What are the 2 types of vascular tissue in plants? What are their functions?

Answer 8

xylem: moves water & dissolved minerals from roots up to other parts of the plant

phloem: moves sugars between different parts of the plant (source -> sink)

Question 9

Give one example of asexual reproduction in plants that occurs naturally.

Answer 9

Many examples including: specialized stems (strawberry runners, potatoes, spider plants); roots (dandelions); leaves (Bryophyllum); etc.

Question 10

Give one example of asexual reproduction in plants that only occurs with human assistance.

Answer 10

Many examples including: leaf/stem cuttings; tissue culture; grafting; etc.

Question 11

What type of pollination is aided by animal pollinators (i.e. bees, butterflies, etc.)? How is this beneficial to the plant species?

Answer 11

Animal pollinators help with cross-pollination (more than self-pollination). This increases genetic diversity in the plant offspring.

Question 12

What are the 2 types of meristems and what type of growth is each responsible for?

Answer 12

apical meristem: found at the tips of roots and shoots; cause primary growth (length)

lateral meristem: found within stems & roots; cause secondary growth (diameter)

Question 13

What is the difference between primary growth and secondary growth?

Answer 13

primary growth: growth in length of roots & stems

secondary growth: growth in diameter of roots and stems

Question 14

What 3 structures are contained in all seeds?

Answer 14

all seeds contain: seed coat, source of nutrition (endosperm), embryo

Question 15

List 2 seed dispersal methods used by plants.

Answer 15

any 2 of…
wings/ parachute-like structures to increase wind dispersal berries/fruit that are consumed by birds, etc.

hooks/spines that attach to furry animals that pass the plant nuts that are buried by rodents and forgotten

exploding pods/capsules that burst when mature

Question 16

Name one plant growth regulator & explain how it is used commercially.

Answer 16

ethylene: used to ripen fruits (or removed to keep fruits from ripening)

abscisic acid (ABA): used to keep buds dormant while transporting plants

gibberellins: sprayed on fruit to increase size & productivity