Plant Morphology & Tissues – Lecture 12

Flashcards covering plant organ systems, fundamental cell/tissue types, specific characteristics and examples of parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma, tissue systems (dermal, ground, vascular), and meristems.

What are the two main plant body systems?

The shoot system and the root system.

What are the primary components of the shoot system in higher plants?

It typically includes the stems, leaves, and flowers.

Name the six basic organs found in higher plants.

Root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, and seed.

Which three fundamental cell/tissue types make up most plant bodies?

Parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma.

Which plant cell type is alive at maturity and has thin, flexible primary walls?

Parenchyma cells.

List three primary functions of parenchyma tissue.

Photosynthesis, storage, and secretion.

What special ability do parenchyma cells retain that aids wound healing and cloning?

They retain the ability to divide and differentiate (mitosis).

Which parenchyma subtype contains chloroplasts and carries out photosynthesis?

Chlorenchyma.

Give an example of a plant with chlorenchyma tissue.

Hydrilla verticillata.

Which parenchyma subtype stores carbohydrates in amyloplasts?

Storage parenchyma.

Which chemical stain turns storage parenchyma dark purple, indicating starch presence?

Iodine.

What is the defining feature of aerenchyma tissue?

Large air spaces between cells.

Which example plant’s petiole commonly shows aerenchyma?

Dieffenbachia.

What is the function of stellate parenchyma, and where can it be found?

Acts as irregular filler cells; found in the petiole of Canna indica.

Which living support tissue has unevenly thickened primary walls and supports young shoots?

Collenchyma.

Why is collenchyma considered flexible support tissue?

Its uneven primary walls allow support without restraining growth.

What makes sclerenchyma tissue rigid?

Thick, lignified secondary walls and cells that are dead at functional maturity.

Name the two main types of sclerenchyma cells?

Sclereids and fibers.

Which sclerenchyma subtype is short, irregular, and found in pear fruit?

Sclereids (specifically brachysclereids).

Which sclerenchyma subtype is long, slender, and usually arranged in threads?

Fibers.

Identify the three basic tissue systems in plants based on location and function.

Dermal, ground, and vascular tissues.

What cell type primarily composes the dermal tissue (epidermis)?

Parenchyma cells.

Name three epidermal extensions that arise from dermal tissue.

Stomates, trichomes, and root hairs.

What is the primary function of stomates (stomata) on the leaf epidermis?

They regulate CO_2 uptake for photosynthesis and the release of water vapor (transpiration).

What is the main role of root hairs?

They are specialized epidermal cells that greatly increase the surface area for water and mineral absorption from the soil.

Describe the function of trichomes.

Trichomes are hairlike outgrowths on the epidermis that can provide protection against insects, reduce water loss, or secrete substances.

Which tissue system fills the space between epidermis and vascular tissue and is often for storage?

Ground tissue system (cortex and pith).

Which three cell types can ground tissue be composed of?

Parenchyma, collenchyma, and/or sclerenchyma cells.

What two complex tissues make up the vascular system?

Xylem and phloem.

Which vascular tissue transports water and minerals from roots to shoots?

Xylem.

Name two main conducting cell types found in xylem.

Vessels and tracheids.

How do vessel elements differ from tracheids in xylem?

Vessel elements are generally wider, shorter, and connect end-to-end to form continuous tubes (vessels) via perforation plates, allowing for more efficient water flow than the narrower tracheids, which rely on pits.

Which vascular tissue transports sugars and amino acids from leaves to other organs?

Phloem.