Plant Structure and Function Quiz

Plant Structure and Function

• Vascular Tissue: Cells joined into tubes transporting water and nutrients throughout the plant body.
• Vascular Plants: Possess a complex vascular tissue system.
• Seedless Vascular Plants: Include lycophytes (e.g., club mosses) and monilophytes (e.g., ferns).
• Nonvascular Plants (Bryophytes): Small, herbaceous (nonwoody) plants like liverworts, mosses, and hornworts.
• Xylem: Tube-shaped cells transporting water and minerals upward from roots.
• Lignin: Polymer strengthening cell walls of water-conducting cells, enabling taller growth.
• Phloem: Transports sugars, amino acids, and other organic products.
• Roots: Absorb water and nutrients from soil, anchoring vascular plants.
• Microphylls: Small, spine-shaped leaves in lycophytes, supported by a single vascular strand.
• Megaphylls: Leaves with a highly branched vascular system.
• Leaves: Primary photosynthetic organs of vascular plants.

Plant Reproduction

• Seed: Contains an embryo, food supply, and protective coat.
• Gymnosperms: Seeds not protected inside ovaries.
• Angiosperms: Seeds develop and are protected inside ovaries.

Plant Morphology

• Stamen: Produces pollen grains (male gametophytes).
• Anther: Produces pollen.
• Filament: Supports the anther.
• Carpel: Makes ovules, containing female gametophytes.
• Stigma: Collects pollen.
• Style: Contains pollen tube.
• Ovary: Contains ovules.
• Roots (Taproot vs. Fibrous): Dicots have a main root (taproot), monocots have many thin roots (fibrous).
• Adventitious Roots: Roots growing from above-ground parts.
• Root Hairs: Increase surface area for absorption of water and minerals.
• Stems (Nodes and Internodes): Nodes are where leaves attach; internodes are in between.
• Apical Bud: Located at shoot tip, most growth occurs here.
• Axillary Buds: Can form vegetative branches.
• Leaves (Blade, Petiole): Blades are the flat surface; petiole joins leaf to node.
• Tissue Systems (Dermal, Ground, Vascular): Dermal is outer protection; ground is storage and support; vascular conducts materials.

Plant Growth and Development

• Apical Meristems: Enable primary growth (lengthening) in plants.
• Secondary Growth: Increased thickness due to lateral meristems.
• Vascular Cambium: Adds layers of secondary xylem (wood) and secondary phloem.
• Cork Cambium: Replaces epidermis with periderm.
• Root Cap: Covers the root tip, protecting it during growth.

Asexual Plant Propagation

• Plant Tissue Culture (PTC): Growing identical clones.
• Meristematic Tissue: Used in PTC; responsible for growth.
• Explants: Plant pieces used to initiate PTC.
• Hormones (Auxin, Cytokinin, Ethylene, ABA, Gibberellin, Phytochrome): Regulate growth, development, and flowering.

Internal Structure of Leaves and Roots

• Stomata: Pores on leaves for gas exchange (CO2 and O2).
• Guard Cells: Control the opening/closing of stomata.
• Mesophyll: Ground tissue of leaves, site of photosynthesis.
• Secondary Vascular Cambium: Adds layers to stems and roots.
• Cork Cambium: Produces waxy layer for protection.