Plants: Anatomy, Growth & Function

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on plants' anatomy, growth, and function, especially focusing on vascular systems, cell types, and tissues.

Vascular Plant Systems

Includes stems and leaves; stems bear leaves and reproductive organs, anchor plants, and absorb water and minerals.

Chloroplast

Organelle containing thylakoids, the sites of photosynthesis.

Central Vacuole

In plants, a storage compartment for water, sugars, ions, and pigments; surrounded by the tonoplast.

Plasmodesmata

Openings in the cell wall that function in cell-cell communication.

Dermal Tissue

Epidermis, a single layer of tightly packed cells that covers and protects the plant.

Parenchyma Cells

Unspecialized, thin, and flexible cells that carry out various metabolic functions.

Collenchyma Cells

Cells with unevenly thickened primary walls that provide support without restricting growth.

Sclerenchyma Cells

Cells with very thick, woody secondary walls that are rigid and cannot elongate; mostly dead at maturity.

Xylem

Vascular tissue responsible for transporting water and minerals up from the roots.

Phloem

Food-conducting cells in plants that carry sugars and nutrients throughout.

Apical Meristem

Growth region at the tips of roots and shoots responsible for primary growth.

Guard Cells

Specialized epidermal tissues that control the size of stomata for gas exchange.

Trichomes

Tiny hair-like growths on leaves that help cool the surface and reduce evaporation.

Vascular Bundles

Structurally organized groups of xylem and phloem in both stems and roots.

Epidermis

The outer layer of cells in herbaceous and young woody plants.

Meristematic Tissue

Tissue responsible for the generation of new cells in plants.

Companion Cells

Living nucleated cells connected to sieve tubes that assist in food transport.