Lab 15 Review: Vegetative organs

Anchorage and absorption

Roots

Support leaves, flowers, and fruit.

Stems

Carry out photosynthesis.

Leaves

Food storage; in biennial plants, food made by photosynthesis is stored in the roots as starch during the first year and used to produce flowers/fruit in the second year.

Storage roots

Vertical stems arising from the tree's roots which allow the living cells of the roots to take in oxygen and release CO2; found in trees anchored in water-saturated soil.

Pneumatophores

Roots that arise from stem; secrete an adhesive that firmly anchors a vine to an upright structure.

Adventitious roots - climbing roots

Found in stalk-like plants with shallow root systems; emerge just above the ground and grow down to the soil for support.

Adventitious roots - prop roots

Horizontal aboveground stems; new plants arise from the nodes; function in vegetative propagation.

Stolons

Horizontal underground stems; new plants emerge from them; function in vegetative propagation.

Rhizomes

outgrowths of the bark or epidermis of the stem; protect from herbivores.

Thorns

Deposits starch in internodes of underground stems; stem swells and nodes remain visible as 'eyes' for starch storage.

Tubers

Enlarged underground stem covered by a thin layer of papery leaves; produce flowers by sexual reproduction when they emerge from soil.

Corms

Flattened photosynthetic stems that have a leaf-like appearance; adapt for arid habitats.

Cladophylls

Modified to protect cladophylls and other photosynthetic succulent stems from animals seeking water.

Spines

Very small stem with tiny roots; fleshy leaves store carbohydrates made by photosynthesis.

Bulbs

Thick with lathery covering and sunken stomata; adapted for water conservation.

Succulent leaves

Tiny plantlets produced along the edges of leaves; fall off and start new plants.

Reproductive leaves

Curl around other plants and upright structures; allow climbing towards sunlight.

Tendrils

Leaves modified for capturing and digesting insects; acquire nitrogen from insects.

Insectivorous traps

Colored leaves that replace or enhance the function of flower petals; attract pollinators.

Bracts