Basics of Plant Anatomy

Definition: Plant anatomy is the study of the structure of plants, focusing on the organization and function of plant tissues and organs.

Roots
- Function: Anchor the plant, absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
- Types:
  - Taproot: Large main root (e.g., carrots).
  - Fibrous: Numerous small roots (e.g., grasses).
Stems
- Function: Support for leaves and flowers, transport of nutrients and water.
- Types:
  - Herbaceous: Soft and green (e.g., daisies).
  - Woody: Hard and rigid (e.g., trees).
Leaves
- Function: Main site of photosynthesis, gas exchange, and transpiration.
- Structure:
  - Blade: Broad part of the leaf.
  - Petiole: Stalk that connects leaf to the stem.
  - Venation: Arrangement of veins (e.g., parallel vs. net-like).
Flowers
- Function: Reproductive structures for sexual reproduction.
- Parts:
  - Sepals: Protect the flower bud.
  - Petals: Attract pollinators.
  - Stamen: Male part (anthers produce pollen).
  - Pistil: Female part (ovary contains ovules).
Seeds
- Function: Contribute to plant reproduction and disperse offspring.
- Structures:
  - Seed coat: Protective outer layer.
  - Endosperm: Nutrient supply.
  - Embryo: Developing plant.

Meristematic Tissue
- Function: Growth and development; found in tips of roots and stems.
- Types:
  - Apical: Lengthens roots and shoots.
  - Lateral: Increases girth (cambium).
Permanent Tissue
- Function: Provides structure and support; can be simple or complex.
- Types:
  - Simple: Parenchyma, Collenchyma, Sclerenchyma.
  - Complex: Xylem (water transport), Phloem (nutrient transport).

Nodes and Internodes
- Nodes: Points where leaves and branches originate.
- Internodes: Segments between nodes.
Bud Types
- Axillary: Develops in the axil of a leaf.
- Terminal: Located at the tip of a stem.
Vascular Bundle Arrangement
- Monocots: Vascular bundles scattered.
- Eudicots: Vascular bundles in a ring.

Parenchyma Cells
- Function: Storage, photosynthesis, and tissue repair.
Collenchyma Cells
- Function: Provide flexible support to young plant structures.
Sclerenchyma Cells
- Function: Provide rigid support; often dead at maturity.
Xylem Cells
- Function: Transport water and dissolved minerals; includes tracheids and vessel elements.
Phloem Cells
- Function: Transport sugars and nutrients; includes sieve tube elements and companion cells.

Plant anatomy studies the internal structure of plants, examining how tissues and organs function and are organized.

Roots anchor the plant, absorb water and nutrients from the ground.
Taproots are large central roots (carrots), while fibrous roots are multiple small roots (grasses).
Stems support leaves and flowers, and transport water and nutrients.
- Herbaceous stems are soft and green (daisies), while woody stems are hard and rigid (trees).
Leaves are the primary site of photosynthesis, gas exchange, and transpiration.
- They consist of a blade (broad portion), a petiole (connects to stem), with veins forming a venation pattern (parallel or net-like).
Flowers are the reproductive structures for sexual reproduction.
- Sepals protect the bud, petals attract pollinators, stamens are male (anthers produce pollen), and the pistil is female (ovary contains ovules).
Seeds develop from fertilized ovules, enabling reproduction and dispersal.
- They consist of a seed coat for protection, endosperm for nutrient supply, and an embryo which will eventually develop into a new plant.

Meristematic tissue is responsible for growth and development, found in root and stem tips.
- Apical meristems increase length, while lateral meristems (cambium) increase girth.
Permanent tissue provides plant structure and support.
- Simple tissues include: parenchyma (storage, photosynthesis, repair), collenchyma (flexible support), sclerenchyma (rigid support).
- Complex tissues include: xylem (water transport) and phloem (nutrient transport).

Nodes are the points where leaves and branches arise on stems.
Internodes are the segments between nodes.
Buds are undeveloped shoots: axillary buds grow in leaf axils, while terminal buds are at stem tips.
Vascular bundle arrangement: in monocots bundles are scattered, in eudicots they form a ring.

Parenchyma cells are involved in storage, photosynthesis, and tissue repair.
Collenchyma cells provide flexible support, particularly in young plant structures.
Sclerenchyma cells provide rigid support, often dead at maturity.
Xylem cells transport water and dissolved minerals, comprised of tracheids and vessel elements.
Phloem cells transport sugars and nutrients, consisting of sieve tube elements and companion cells.