Vascular Plants: Anatomy, Growth, and Function

Nutrient Storage

Nutrient Storage

Roots store nutrients for plant use.

Plant Anchoring

Roots anchor plants to the soil.

Water Transport

Xylem transports water from roots to shoots.

Cohesion

Water molecules attracting each other via hydrogen bonds.

Transpiration

Evaporation of water from plant surfaces.

Diversity of Angiosperms

Angiosperms have greater species diversity than gymnosperms.

Fibrous Roots

A mass of fine roots spreading widely.

Epidermis

Protective single cell layer of roots and stems.

Endodermis

Cell layer filtering materials entering vascular tissue.

Vascular Cylinder

Contains xylem and phloem surrounded by endodermis.

Cortex

Tissue made of parenchyma cells for food storage.

Cambium

Meristem layer producing new xylem annually.

Rhizomes

Horizontal underground stems producing new plants.

Stolons

Horizontal above-ground stems establishing new plants.

Tubers

Thickened underground stems for food storage.

Corms

Thickened underground stems resembling bulbs.

Cuticle

Wax layer preventing water loss from leaves.

Mesophyll

Photosynthetic cells in leaves, includes palisade and spongy.

Guard Cells

Cells controlling the opening of stomata.

Stoma

Opening for gas exchange in leaves.

Pollination

Transfer of pollen to egg cells for fertilization.

Stamen

Male flower part producing pollen grains.

Pistil

Female flower part containing ovary and stigma.

Fertilization

Fusion of pollen and egg cells to form seeds.

Self-Pollination

Pollen fertilizes the same flower's ovary.

Asexual Reproduction

Single parent produces genetically identical offspring.

Vegetative Propagation

Using plant parts to grow new plants.

Grafting

Attaching a plant part to another for growth.

Clone-Cutting

Using stem cuttings to propagate plants.

Vascular Plant

Plants with a system to transport materials.

Gymnosperm

Naked seed plants producing seeds in cones.

Conifer

Evergreen gymnosperms with needle-like leaves.

Angiosperm

Flowering plants that produce seeds within fruit.

Monocot

Plants with one cotyledon and parallel leaf veins.

Xylem

Vascular tissue transporting water and minerals.

Phloem

Vascular tissue transporting sugars and nutrients.

Root Pressure

Pressure from roots pushing water upward.

Capillary Action

Water movement in narrow tubes due to adhesion.

Transpiration-Tension Theory

Water pulled up by evaporation and cohesion.

Cotyledon

Seed leaf providing nutrients to seedlings.

Vascular Bundle

Structures containing xylem and phloem.

Root Types

Includes taproot and fibrous root systems.

Boreal Forests

Regions dominated by gymnosperms in Canada.

Flower Parts

Angiosperms have flower parts in multiples of threes or fours.

Adhesion

Water molecules attracted to xylem cell walls.

Taproot

A thick, deep root with few secondary roots.

Root Hairs

Extensions increasing surface area for water absorption.

Pith

Spongy central tissue in stems for storage.

Cross-Pollination

Pollen fertilizes a different flower's ovary.

Dicot

Plants with two cotyledons and netlike leaf veins.

Sieve Tube Cells

Phloem cells transporting sugars, alive at maturity.