Shoots and Roots Flashcards
What are feeder roots?
Fine roots that occur in the upper 15cm of the soil that take up most of the nutrients (as this is the nutrient rich zone).
What is the rootcap?
A thimble-like structure at the end of the roots which protects the meristem and aids in soil penetration.
What is mucilage?
A highly hydrated polysaccharide secreted from cells on the edges of the root cap that covers this and lubricates to aid passage through soil.
What is the function of the Casparian strip?
- Force water and minerals through the cell membrane of
endodermis rather than between the cells
Control water and minerals entering the vascular cylinder
selective nutrient uptake, exclusion of pathogens
What is xylem?
Transporter of water and minerals, only travels up the plant (transpiration and bulk flow).
Has thick linin walls as high pressure of water.
What is phloem?
Transports water and food around the plant (up and down) using active transport.
They have a wall with perforations between each cell.
Where do lateral roots originate?
From the pericycle (and endodermis in angiosperms)
What are Bundle sheath cells?
A layer of cells in plant leaves and stems that forms a sheath surrounding the
vascular bundles.
What is a possible biotechnological solution that involves roots or shoots?
- Genome editing to increase Nitrogen fixing roots on non-legumes
- Genome editing to enhance the carbon capture of roots to sequester in soil
What is the quiescent centre?
The quiescent center (QC) of roots consists of a rarely dividing pool of stem cells within the root apical meristem (RAM).
Why is the quiescent centre important?
This gives rise to most of the other segments of the roots, acting as the basic starting cells with potential to turn into anything, they are ready to develop as soon as harm comes to surrounding areas, and inactive when the root is developed and heathy/intact.
What are lateral meristems?
The stem cell region that grows the width of stems and roots.
What are apical meristems?
The stem cell region at the tip of roots and shoots which supplies the growth or elongation of these tips.
What is the typical supporting tissue of growing stems, leaves, and floral parts.
Collenchyma
What is a trichome and the primary functions of this?
Fine, hairlike outgrowths on leaves, roots or stems.
They can provide protections against pathogens,
Secrete excess salts,
Absorb nutrients and water from soil…
