Plants and Plant Cells

Vocabulary flashcards for plant anatomy and cell biology.

Meristem

Regions of plant tissue, found at the growing tips of roots and shoots and in the cambium, consisting of actively dividing cells forming new tissue.

Cambium

A cylindrical layer of meristematic tissue responsible for secondary growth, increasing stem and root width.

Meristem

Regions of plant tissue, found at the growing tips of roots and shoots and in the cambium, consisting of actively dividing cells forming new tissue.

Cambium

A cylindrical layer of meristematic tissue responsible for secondary growth, increasing stem and root width.

Stem

The main body or stalk of a plant or shrub, typically rising above ground.

Roots

The part of a plant that attaches it to the ground or to a support, typically underground, conveying water and nourishment to the rest of the plant.

Reproductive Organs

Parts of a plant involved in reproduction, such as flowers and cones.

Leaf

A flattened structure of a higher plant, typically green and blade-like, that is attached to a stem directly or via a stalk and functions as the primary site of photosynthesis.

Central Vacuole

A large organelle in plant cells that stores water, ions, and other molecules.

Chloroplast

An organelle containing chlorophyll where photosynthesis takes place.

Cell Wall

A rigid outer layer of a plant cell, composed mainly of cellulose.

Plasmodesmata

Channels through cell walls that connect the cytoplasms of adjacent cells.

Cytosol

The fluid portion of the cytoplasm, excluding organelles.

Apoplast

The space outside the plasma membrane within which material can diffuse freely.

Vacuole

Large storage compartment filled with water, ions, and other molecules.

Chloroplast

Semi-autonomous organelle where photosynthesis takes place.

Cell Wall

Rigid structure made of cellulose fibers and lignin.

Plasmodesmata

Gated tubular channels that connect the cytoplasm of neighboring cells.

Cytosol

Non-vacuolar, non-organelle cytoplasm.

Symplast

Continuous network of cytosol spanning several cells.

Apoplast

Continuous network of cell walls spanning several cells.

Tonoplast

The membrane of the central vacuole.

Mitochondria

Organelle where cellular respiration takes place.