Plant Anatomy and Reproduction Definitions

These flashcards cover key concepts about plant anatomy and reproduction based on the lecture notes.

Bark

Outer protective layers of a tree (including cork and phloem).

Central zone

Region in the apical meristem where slowly dividing stem cells are maintained.

Cork cambium

Lateral meristem that produces cork (protective outer tissue).

Cortex

Ground tissue between epidermis and vascular tissue; stores food.

Dermal tissue

Outer protective covering of a plant.

Epidermis

Single outer layer of cells that protects the plant and reduces water loss.

Ground tissue

Tissue for photosynthesis, storage, and support.

Mitosis

Cell division producing two identical diploid cells.

Phloem

Vascular tissue that transports sugars (food) through the plant.

Pith

Central region of the stem used for storage.

Root Cap

Protective structure at the tip of roots.

Vascular Cylinder

Central part of root containing xylem and phloem.

Sieve Tube

Phloem cells that transport sugars.

Sieve Plate

Perforated end walls between sieve tube cells.

Companion Cells

Cells that assist sieve tubes in transporting sugars.

Apical meristem

Growth tissue at root and shoot tips for lengthening.

Axillary meristem

Meristem that forms branches or buds.

Collenchyma Cell

Flexible support cell with unevenly thickened walls.

Parenchyma Cell

Basic plant cell for storage, photosynthesis, and repair.

Sclerenchyma Cell

Rigid support cell with thick, lignified walls.

Quiescent center

Region of inactive cells in root meristem.

Vascular cambium

Meristem that produces xylem and phloem (secondary growth).

Vascular tissue

Transport system (xylem + phloem).

Xylem

Tissue that transports water and minerals upward.

Vessel tubes

Large xylem cells that efficiently transport water.

Tracheid tubes

Narrow xylem cells that transport water and provide support.

Zone of cell division

Region in root where mitosis occurs.

Zone of differentiation

Region where cells specialize.

Zone of elongation

Region where cells grow longer.

Multicellular Haploid

Organism/stage with one set of chromosomes and many cells.

Multicellular Diploid

Organism/stage with two sets of chromosomes and many cells.

Unicellular Haploid

Single-celled organism with one set of chromosomes.

Meiosis

Cell division producing haploid cells (gametes).

Embryo

Young developing plant after fertilization.

Gametes

Reproductive cells (egg and sperm).

Egg

Female gamete.

Sperm

Male gamete.

Fertilization

Fusion of egg and sperm.

Double Fertilization

In angiosperms: one sperm forms zygote, one forms endosperm.

Sporophyte

Diploid plant stage that produces spores.

Gametophyte

Haploid plant stage that produces gametes.

Sporangium

Structure that produces spores.

Zygote

Fertilized egg (diploid).

Spore (Sporus)

Haploid cell that develops into a gametophyte.

Gymnosperm

Seed plant with “naked seeds” (no fruit).

Generative Cell

Cell in pollen that produces sperm.

Fibrous root

Root system with many thin roots.

Taproot

Main central root with smaller branches.

Pericycle

Layer that produces lateral roots.

Lateral root

Side root branching from main root.

Apoplastic route

Water movement through cell walls (outside membranes).

Casparian strip

Barrier in endodermis controlling water entry.

Symplastic route

Water movement through cytoplasm via plasmodesmata.

Plasma membrane

Selective barrier around cells.

Endodermis

Inner root layer regulating water into vascular tissue.

Source Cell (leaf)

Cell that produces/export sugars.

Sink cell (Storage cell)

Cell that stores/imports sugars.

Transpiration

Loss of water vapor from leaves.

Translocation

Movement of sugars in phloem.

Dicot

Plant with two seed leaves.

Cotyledon

Embryonic seed leaf.

Coleoptile

Protective sheath over young shoot (monocots).

Radicle

Embryonic root.

Pressure Potential (Ψp)

Physical pressure on water in a cell.

Solute/Osmotic Potential (Ψs)

Effect of solute concentration on water movement.

Guard Cells

Cells controlling opening/closing of stomata.

Receptacle

Base of a flower where parts attach.

Sporopollenin

Tough protective material in pollen walls.

Polar Nucleus

Nuclei in embryo sac involved in endosperm formation.

Monocot

Plant with one seed leaf.

Palisade mesophyll

Leaf layer for photosynthesis (tightly packed cells).

Spongy mesophyll

Leaf layer with air spaces for gas exchange.

Stamen (Anther, Filament)

Male flower part producing pollen.

Ovule

Structure that becomes a seed after fertilization.

Sepal

Outer leaf-like structure protecting bud.

Petal

Colored part attracting pollinators.

Microspore

Haploid cell that develops into pollen.

Carpel (Ovary, Style, Stigma)

Female flower structure.

Megaspore

Haploid cell that develops into embryo sac.

Bryophytes

Nonvascular plants (mosses, liverworts).

Coevolution

Two species evolving in response to each other.

Seedless Vascular Plants

Plants with xylem/phloem but no seeds.

Angiosperm

Flowering plant with seeds enclosed in fruit.

Rhizosphere

Soil region influenced by roots.

Sugar sink/source

Areas where sugars are stored (sink) or produced (source).

Waxy Cuticle

Waterproof layer on leaves.

Macronutrients

Nutrients needed in large amounts (N, P, K).

Micronutrients

Nutrients needed in small amounts (iron, zinc).

Mycorrhizal Fungi

Fungi that help roots absorb nutrients.

Plasmodesmata

Channels connecting plant cells.

Charophytes

Green algae closely related to land plants.

Embryo Sac

Female gametophyte in ovule.

Endosperm

Nutrient tissue formed during double fertilization.

Cohesion/Adhesion

Water molecules sticking to each other (cohesion) and surfaces (adhesion).