Plant Anatomy: Root and Shoot Systems

Plant Tissue and Functions

• Xylem conducts water and nutrients from roots to other plant parts, facilitating hydration and nutrient uptake.
• Phloem transports sugars produced in photosynthesis from leaves to non-photosynthesizing tissues, ensuring energy distribution.
• Lateral roots enhance stability and absorb water and nutrients from the soil, increasing surface area for water uptake.
• The apical meristem is found at the tips of roots and shoots, responsible for the primary growth of the plant.

Cellular Structures and Processes

• Ribosomes are the cell organelles synthesizing proteins, essential for various cellular functions and activities.
• The cell membrane, a selective barrier, regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell, maintaining homeostasis.
• The Golgi Apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for secretion or use within the cell, playing a critical role in cellular logistics.
• Aerobic respiration occurs in the mitochondria, where energy (ATP) is produced through the breakdown of glucose using oxygen.

Leaf and Flower Structures

• Axillary buds are located in the angles between the stems and leaves, capable of developing into new branches or flowers.
• The root cap protects the growing tip of the root and helps the root navigate through the soil as it grows.
• The petiole connects the leaf blade to the stem, supporting the leaf and facilitating the transport of nutrients and water.
• The ovules are contained within the ovary of a flower's pistil, involved in reproduction and seed formation.

Specialized Cell Functions

• Chloroplasts are the sites of photosynthesis within plant cells, converting sunlight into chemical energy stored as glucose.
• The Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum is studded with ribosomes, facilitating the synthesis and processing of proteins destined for export or for use in membranes.