Plant Anatomy and Physiology Lecture Review

A comprehensive set of 200 question-and-answer flashcards covering root, stem, and leaf anatomy, specialized adaptations, transport processes, tissues, and plant physiology concepts from the lecture notes.

What are the three main plant organs?

Roots, stems, and leaves

Name the three primary functions of roots.

Anchorage, absorption of water and minerals, and upward conduction of materials

What is the embryonic root called while still inside the seed?

Radicle

Which root system has one main primary root with smaller lateral branches?

Taproot system

Which root system consists of many equal-sized adventitious roots arising from the stem base?

Fibrous root system

What structure covers the root tip and aids penetration through soil?

Root cap

Which gravity-sensing cells are found in the root cap?

Statocysts

In which root region does active cell division occur?

Region of cell division (apical meristem)

Which root region shows elongation and tissue differentiation?

Region of elongation / differentiation

In the region of maturation, what does the protoderm become?

Epidermis

Which tissues arise from the ground meristem during root maturation?

Cortex and pith

What vascular tissues are produced from the procambium?

Xylem and phloem

What single-cell extensions of the epidermis increase absorptive surface area?

Root hairs

Which root layer is composed of thin-walled parenchyma cells that store carbohydrates?

Cortex

What waxy band in endodermal cell walls blocks apoplastic water flow?

Casparian strip

Which root layer gives rise to lateral (secondary) roots?

Pericycle

What occupies the central region of monocot roots?

Pith

Do typical dicot roots possess a pith?

No, dicot roots generally lack a pith

From which internal layer do lateral roots originate?

Pericycle

What large, flared roots support tall rainforest trees?

Buttress (plank) roots

What specialized aerial roots project above waterlogged soils for gas exchange?

Pneumatophores

Roots that arise from stems rather than existing roots are called what?

Adventitious roots

Prop and stilt roots are examples of which root category?

Adventitious support roots

Which roots shorten to pull bulbs or corms to a suitable depth?

Contractile roots

What symbiotic association between fungi and roots enhances mineral uptake?

Mycorrhiza

Nitrogen-fixing swellings on legume roots are called what?

Root nodules

What roots store large amounts of starch, as in sweet potatoes and beets?

Storage roots

Parasitic plants like dodder develop what kind of specialized roots?

Haustorial (parasitic) roots

What dense cluster of root hairs on epiphytes aids atmospheric water absorption?

Cluster roots

Which root adaptation involves mutualism with Rhizobium bacteria?

Root nodules on legumes

Which stem function moves water, minerals, and carbohydrates throughout the plant?

Conduction

What lateral meristem is responsible for secondary growth in stems?

Vascular cambium

In herbaceous dicot stems, how are vascular bundles arranged?

In a ring around the pith

How are vascular bundles arranged in monocot stems?

Scattered throughout ground tissue

Which secondary meristem produces protective cork cells?

Cork cambium

What collective name is given to cork and cork cambium?

Periderm

Bark consists of cork, cork cambium, and which vascular tissue?

Phloem

What non-conducting, dark central wood provides structural support in old stems?

Heartwood

What lighter outer wood still conducts water?

Sapwood

Early-season, wider xylem cells in temperate trees are called what?

Springwood

How can tree rings in temperate regions be used?

To estimate tree age and growth conditions

Which sharp protective outgrowth is a modified stem, not a leaf?

Thorn

What slender, coiling stem modification aids climbing plants?

Tendril

What are underground horizontal stems used for storage and reproduction called?

Rhizomes

Which stem type has a short stem with fleshy leaves, as in onions and garlic?

Bulb

What swollen underground stem, exemplified by taro, is called a what?

Corm

An enlarged end of a rhizome, such as the potato, is termed what?

Tuber

Flat, photosynthetic stems replacing leaves in cacti are called what?

Phylloclades

Flattened stem structures in Ruscus and asparagus that resemble leaves are called what?

Cladophylls

Fire-resistant underground woody swellings that resprout after burning are what?

Lignotubers

Horizontal above-ground stems that root at nodes to form new plants are called what?

Stolons

Which plant fiber from stems is widely used for making ropes?

Hemp fiber

What non-living product is removed from cork oak trees without killing them?

Cork

Which aromatic spice is derived from the bark of certain tree stems?

Cinnamon

What latex product obtained from bark wounds is used to make natural rubber?

Rubber sap

Which property makes bamboo stems useful for pliable building material known as Plyboo?

High-strength fiber bundles in monocot stems

Which organelle within palisade parenchyma performs most photosynthesis?

Chloroplast

What term describes the arrangement of leaves on a stem?

Phyllotaxy

Leaves with a single undivided blade are called what?

Simple leaves

Leaves divided into distinct leaflets are termed what?

Compound leaves

A compound leaf with leaflets radiating from a single point is called what?

Palmate compound leaf

Fishbone-like opposite leaflets on a central axis describe which leaf type?

Pinnate compound leaf

What type of leaf has its petiole attached at the center, resembling an umbrella?

Peltate leaf

Which leaf appears as though the stem passes through the blade?

Perfoliate leaf

What venation pattern features a central midvein with lateral branches, common in dicots?

Pinnate (netted) venation

Monocot leaves typically show what venation type?

Parallel venation

What specialized epidermal openings regulate gas exchange?

Stomata

What are the two cells that flank a stomatal pore called?

Guard cells

Supporting epidermal cells around guard cells are called what?

Subsidiary cells

In floating leaves, stomata are located on which surface?

Upper epidermis

Submerged aquatic leaves typically have how many stomata?

None

Xerophytes often possess sunken stomata and thick cuticles to reduce what process?

Transpiration (water loss)

Which cells in some monocot leaves allow the blade to roll during drought?

Bulliform cells

Name the two main layers of a dicot leaf mesophyll.

Palisade and spongy layers

Monocot leaves often have what type of mesophyll arrangement?

Isobilateral (undifferentiated) mesophyll

Which carnivorous plant captures insects with hinged leaves that snap shut?

Venus flytrap

In pitcher plants, what organ forms the fluid-filled insect trap?

Modified leaf

Which brightly colored leaf modifications in Bougainvillea attract pollinators?

Bracts

Flattened petioles that perform photosynthesis are called what?

Phyllodes

Scalelike leaves protecting the underground bud in bulbs are known as what?

Bulb scales

Sharp, pointed leaf modifications for defense are called what?

Spines

Spines derived specifically from stipules are termed what?

Stipular spines

Leaves that store water in large vacuoles are called what?

Succulent leaves

What leaf modification provides buoyancy to aquatic plants such as water hyacinth?

Enlarged petiole

Leaf-based plantlets that can root and form new individuals illustrate what?

Reproductive leaves

What type of leaf forms a potlike structure to collect debris and water for nutrients?

Flower pot leaf

Leaves lacking stomata that absorb nutrients through the surface, as in Hydrilla, are called what?

Absorptive leaves

In many desert plants, stomata typically open during which time?

Night

Name three environmental factors that increase transpiration.

Low relative humidity, high temperature, and windy conditions

Which soil horizon contains most organic matter and living organisms?

A horizon (topsoil)

List the nine macronutrients required by plants.

H, C, O, N, K, Ca, Mg, P, and S

Give three examples of micronutrients essential for plants.

Iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) (others acceptable)

Which ions released by roots displace mineral cations from soil particles?

Hydrogen ions (H+)

Name the two main pathways for water movement through root cortex.

Apoplastic and symplastic pathways

What barrier forces water from the apoplast into the symplast at the endodermis?

Casparian strip

What upward force in xylem results from evaporation at leaf surfaces?

Transpirational pull

Adhesion is the attraction between water and what surface?

Xylem walls

What positive pressure generated by roots can push water upward at night?

Root pressure

What primary internal factor triggers stomatal opening?

Low internal CO₂ concentration

During stomatal opening, which ion is actively taken up by guard cells?

Potassium (K⁺)