Plant Morphology Overview

Study Notes

Overview of Plant Morphology

Study of the external structure and form of plants
Examines the shape, size, and organization of plant parts
Helps understand plant evolution, development, and diversity

Plant Body Organization

Plants composed of two main parts: root system and shoot system
Root system: underground organs that absorb water and nutrients
Shoot system: above-ground organs that carry out photosynthesis

Root System Morphology

Root types:
- Taproot: single, thick root that grows straight down (e.g., carrot)
- Fibrous root: many thin roots that spread out (e.g., grass)
Root regions:
- Root cap: protects the root apex
- Zone of cell division: where new cells are produced
- Zone of elongation: where cells increase in length

Shoot System Morphology

Stem:
- Supports leaves and transports materials
- Can be herbaceous (soft) or woody (hard)
Leaf:
- Organs of photosynthesis
- Consists of blade, petiole, and stipules
Leaf arrangements:
- Alternate: leaves alternate on the stem
- Opposite: leaves paired on the stem
- Whorled: leaves in a circle around the stem

Leaf Morphology

Leaf types:
- Simple: single blade (e.g., maple)
- Compound: multiple blades (e.g., walnut)
Leaf margins:
- Entire: smooth edge
- Toothed: edge with small projections
- Lobed: edge with deep indentations

Inflorescence and Flower Morphology

Inflorescence:
- Cluster of flowers on a stem
- Can be racemose (flowers on a central stem) or cymose (flowers on lateral stems)
Flower:
- Organs of reproduction
- Consists of sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels

Plant Morphology

Plant morphology is the study of the external structure and form of plants, examining shape, size, and organization of plant parts to understand plant evolution, development, and diversity.

Plant Body Organization

Plants are composed of two main parts: the root system and the shoot system.
The root system consists of underground organs that absorb water and nutrients.
The shoot system consists of above-ground organs that carry out photosynthesis.

Root System Morphology

There are two main types of roots: taproot and fibrous root.
Taproot is a single, thick root that grows straight down (e.g., carrot).
Fibrous root consists of many thin roots that spread out (e.g., grass).
The root system has three main regions: root cap, zone of cell division, and zone of elongation.
The root cap protects the root apex.
The zone of cell division is where new cells are produced.
The zone of elongation is where cells increase in length.

Shoot System Morphology

The stem supports leaves and transports materials.
Stems can be herbaceous (soft) or woody (hard).
Leaves are organs of photosynthesis.
Leaves consist of three main parts: blade, petiole, and stipules.
Leaf arrangements include alternate, opposite, and whorled.

Leaf Morphology

There are two main types of leaves: simple and compound.
Simple leaves have a single blade (e.g., maple).
Compound leaves have multiple blades (e.g., walnut).
Leaf margins can be entire, toothed, or lobed.
Entire margins have a smooth edge.
Toothed margins have small projections.
Lobed margins have deep indentations.

Inflorescence and Flower Morphology

An inflorescence is a cluster of flowers on a stem.
Inflorescences can be racemose (flowers on a central stem) or cymose (flowers on lateral stems).
A flower is an organ of reproduction.
Flowers consist of four main parts: sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels.

Description

Explore the external structure and form of plants, including plant body organization and root system morphology. Learn about the shape, size, and organization of plant parts and their evolution, development, and diversity.