Plant Structure Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the main characteristic of monocot stems?

They have vascular bundles in a ringlike pattern.

They grow thicker through secondary growth.

They are always herbaceous.

They have vascular bundles scattered throughout the ground tissue. (correct)

What pattern is typical for vascular bundles in young dicot stems?

Scattered randomly

Forming a large central mass

Completely absent

Arranged in a ringlike pattern (correct)

What is primary growth in plants?

Growth occurring at the ends of roots and shoots.

What is secondary growth?

Increase in thickness of stems. Signup and view all the answers

What forms most of what is considered wood?

Layers of secondary xylem. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the xylem near the center of a thickening stem?

It becomes heartwood. Signup and view all the answers

Why do tree rings form?

Due to the rapid growth of xylem cells in spring. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three types of tissue in stems?

Dermal, vascular, and ground tissue. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic do monocot vascular bundles have?

Scattered throughout the stem Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of dermal tissue in leaves?

To protect the leaf and limit water loss. Signup and view all the answers

What does transpiration refer to?

The loss of water through leaves. Signup and view all the answers

What process do leaves use to exchange gases?

By opening their stomata. Signup and view all the answers

How do plants maintain homeostasis?

By regulating stomatal openings. Signup and view all the answers

What adaptations do certain plants have in low-nutrient conditions?

Modified leaves to attract and digest insects. Signup and view all the answers

Name the three parts of a leaf organ.

Veins, blade, petiol. Signup and view all the answers

What is the apical meristem commonly referred to as?

Bud. Signup and view all the answers

What is the cuticle?

A waxy layer serving as a waterproof barrier. Signup and view all the answers

What is the palisade mesophyll?

Layer of cells beneath the upper epidermis. Signup and view all the answers

What is the spongy mesophyll?

Layer beneath the palisade with air spaces. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main tissue found in a mature root?

Outer layer of root. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of root systems?

Taproot system and fibrous root system. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Monocot and Dicot Stems

Monocot stems have scattered vascular bundles, enclosed by ground tissue primarily composed of parenchyma cells.
Dicot stems exhibit a ring-like arrangement of vascular bundles, with pith inside and cortex outside, becoming more complex with growth.

Primary and Secondary Growth

Primary growth occurs at the apical meristems in roots and shoots, resulting in increased plant length.
Secondary growth leads to thicker stems due to increased mass and fluid movement in vascular tissues.

Wood Formation

Wood consists mainly of secondary xylem produced by the vascular cambium.
Heartwood, the older xylem, ceases to conduct water and darkens with age from colored deposits.

Tree Rings

Growth begins in spring with rapid vascular cambium activity, creating a layer of early wood made of large, light-colored xylem cells.

Stem Anatomy

Stems are made of dermal, vascular, and ground tissue, protected by a waxy epidermis with thick cell walls.

Vascular Bundle Patterns

In monocots, vascular bundles are scattered, while dicots typically have them organized in a cylindrical arrangement.

Dermal and Vascular Tissue

The leaf's epidermis features tough cells covered in a waxy cuticle to minimize water loss.
Xylem and phloem form bundles known as leaf veins connecting the stem and leaf tissues.

Photosynthesis in Leaves

The palisade mesophyll consists of tightly packed cells for maximizing light absorption, with the spongy mesophyll beneath containing air spaces for gas exchange.

Transpiration and Gas Exchange

Transpiration refers to water loss from leaves, which can be replenished through xylem.
Gas exchange occurs via stomata, allowing uptake of carbon dioxide and release of oxygen during photosynthesis.

Homeostasis in Plants

Plants regulate stomatal opening to balance water loss from transpiration with the need for photosynthesis, maintaining overall stability.

Leaf Adaptations

Certain plants, like pitcher plants, have specialized leaves to capture and digest insects for nutrients in poor soils.

Leaf Structure

Major leaf components include veins, blades, and petioles for supporting and transporting nutrients.

Key Terms

Apical meristem: The actively growing bud at plant tips.
Cuticle: A protective, waterproof layer on leaf surfaces.
Palisade mesophyll: The upper layer of cells beneath the epidermis, crucial for photosynthesis.
Spongy mesophyll: Contains air spaces, facilitating gas exchange within the leaf.

Root Systems

Roots can be classified as taproot systems or fibrous root systems, impacting how plants absorb water and nutrients.

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Description

Explore the differences between monocot and dicot stems with these informative flashcards. Each card provides a detailed definition and explanation of the vascular structure and ground tissue in these plant types. Perfect for biology students looking to reinforce their understanding of plant anatomy.