Plant Structures and Functions Quiz

The stalk that attaches a leaf to the stem.

The part of a plant that grows above ground, including stems, leaves, and flowers.

The underground part of a plant that anchors it, absorbs water and nutrients, and provides support.

A specialized organ in plants that absorbs sunlight and produces food through photosynthesis.

The part of a stem where a leaf or branch grows.

The space between two nodes on a stem.

A type of plant with one seed leaf (cotyledon).

A type of plant with two seed leaves (cotyledons).

The sticky tip of the style where pollen grains land during pollination.

The narrow structure connecting the stigma to the ovary, through which the pollen tube grows.

The female reproductive part of a flower, consisting of the stigma, style, and ovary.

A structure within the ovary containing one ovule.

The structure within the carpel where the egg cell is located. It is fertilized by a sperm cell during pollination.

The male reproductive part of a flower, responsible for producing pollen grains.

A structure produced by the anther that contains the male gametes (sperm cells) and allows for fertilization of the egg cell.

A tube-like structure that grows from a pollen grain through the style to reach the ovule during pollination.

A type of plant cell with unevenly thickened cell walls that provide support for growing parts of the plant, like young stems and petioles.

A type of plant cell with thin cell walls that are often found in leaves and stems.

A type of plant cell with lignin-rich cell walls that provide structural support for mature parts of the plant. They die after they are fully formed, but their cell walls remain.

The waxy layer that covers the epidermis of leaves, helping to prevent water loss.

Small openings on the underside of leaves that allow for gas exchange, like taking in CO2 for photosynthesis and releasing oxygen.

Specialized guard cells that control the opening and closing of stomata. They help regulate gas exchange and water loss.

The layer of cells that covers the surface of leaves, stems, and roots.

The process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce their own food (sugars).

Secondary xylem, also known as wood, is the tissue where tree rings are formed. The rings are created by the annual growth of new xylem cells during the growing season, which are visible as distinct layers of tissue in the cross-section of a tree trunk.

Tree rings are a direct result of the seasonal growth of xylem, which is a type of vascular tissue that transports water and minerals. During periods of active growth (usually spring and summer), larger xylem cells are produced, resulting in lighter-colored rings. During dormancy periods (usually fall and winter), smaller xylem cells form, creating darker rings.

By counting the number of tree rings, you can determine the number of years a tree has been growing.

The outermost layer of a root tip that develops into the epidermis, the protective outer layer of the root.

The middle layer of a root tip that develops into the cortex, the ground tissue responsible for storage and support.

The innermost layer of a root tip that develops into the vascular tissue, responsible for water and nutrient transport.

The process by which cells get longer, primarily by taking up water, causing the root tip to push through the soil.

The process by which cells in the apical meristem differentiate into specialized cell types (epidermis, cortex, and vascular tissue).

A protective layer of cells at the tip of the root that shields it from damage as it pushes through the soil.

A region of actively dividing cells located at the tip of the root, responsible for generating new root cells.

A dome-shaped mass of dividing cells located at the tip of a shoot, responsible for generating new stem, leaf, and flower cells.

Apical meristems are located at the tips of shoots and roots, responsible for primary growth, which increases the length of the plant.

Elongation occurs just below the apical meristem, pushing it upward. This is distinct from root growth, where elongation occurs below the root tip.

Axillary buds are pockets of meristematic cells located at the bases of leaves, capable of developing into branches, promoting lateral growth.

Primary growth in both shoots and roots involves the formation of three primary tissues: dermal, ground, and vascular tissues.

Secondary growth occurs in woody dicots, increasing the width of the plant through vascular cambium and cork cambium cell division. This process is responsible for the formation of wood.

Vascular cambium is a meristematic tissue responsible for the formation of secondary xylem and phloem, contributing to wood and bark formation.

Cork cambium is a meristematic tissue responsible for the formation of cork cells, replacing the epidermis with a protective outer layer.

Monocots, like grasses and lilies, do not undergo secondary growth, while woody dicots, like trees and shrubs, do, resulting in a significant difference in their growth patterns.