Organisation of Plant Tissues and Growth

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary related to the organisation of plant tissues and growth, including definitions of various plant tissue types and growth processes.

Meristematic Tissues

Actively dividing tissues in plants that are responsible for growth through mitosis.

Permanent Tissues

Matured tissues in plants that have experienced differentiation, including epidermal, ground, and vascular tissues.

Epidermal Tissues

Outer layer of tissues that protect and prevent water loss, often featuring a waxy cuticle.

Ground Tissues

Plant tissues responsible for support, photosynthesis, and storage, divided into parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma.

Parenchyma Tissues

Simplest living cells in plants with thin cell walls, involved in storage and photosynthesis.

Collenchyma Tissues

Living cells with flexible walls that provide support and elasticity to plants.

Sclerenchyma Tissues

Dead cells providing mechanical support and strength through thick cell walls.

Xylem

Vascular tissue that transports water and minerals throughout the plant, consisting of dead cells.

Phloem

Vascular tissue that transports sugars produced in photosynthesis from leaves to other parts of the plant.

Apical Meristem

Tissue located at the tips of roots and shoots, responsible for primary growth.

Lateral Meristem

Includes vascular and cork cambium, responsible for secondary growth in plants.

Zone of Cell Division

Region in apical meristems where active cell division occurs, contributing to the elongation of the plant.

Zone of Cell Elongation

Area where cells increase in size, helping to elongate stems and roots.

Zone of Cell Differentiation

Region of developing cells that specialize into permanent tissues with specific functions.

Primary Growth

Growth that occurs after germination, focusing on the elongation of roots and stems.

Secondary Growth

Growth that occurs in thickness of stems and roots, involving lateral meristem activity.

Annual Plants

Plants that complete their life cycle in one growing season.

Biennial Plants

Plants that take two years to complete their life cycle, with vegetative growth in the first year and reproductive growth in the second.

Perennial Plants

Plants that live for more than two years and can flower and produce seeds multiple times.

Bark

Outer protective layer formed during secondary growth in plants, providing protection from environmental stress.

Growth Curve

Graphical representation of the growth phases in plants, often following a sigmoid pattern.