Plant Structure: Roots, Stems, and Leaves

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to plant structures, including types of roots, stems, and their functions, important tissues, and various modifications.

Monocot flowers?

3 petals or multiples of 3

stele

 Cylinder in the center of the cell

pollen in monocots?

pollen grains have 1 opening

How do monocots roots look like?

fibrous no main root

How do monocots vascular bundles look like?

They are scattered throughout the stem

How does Monocots leaf venation look like?

appear parallel

How many cotyledons do Monocots have?

1

flowers in eudicots?

multiplication of four or five petals

pollen in eudicots?

pollen grains, 3 openings

roots in eudicots?

taproot system

How do vascular bundles (stems) look like in Eudicots?

They appear in a ring pattern

What is the leaf venation of Eudicots?

branched or net-like

How many cotyledons do Eudicots have?

2

Root Hairs

Tiny pieces of root epidermal cells that increase area for water absorption

Taproot

A single, deep root that usually stores food and starch.

Fibrous Root

A root system with many thin roots that absorb water from the surface soil.

Prop Root

Roots that support a plant above ground, providing stability.

Adventitious Roots

Roots that grow from unusual places, such as stems or leaves.

Xylem

Tissue that transports water and nutrients

Phloem

Tissue that transports sugars and other products downward from the leaves.

Pericycle

involved in secondary growth and root development.

Epidermis

dermal protection

endodermis

 controls the movement of materials into the vascular tissue

Lenticel

Openings in the bark that allow for gas exchange.

Woody Stem

A stem that is hard and not flexible, typically found in trees and shrubs.

Herbaceous Stem

A soft, green stem that is more flexible and found in non-woody plants.

Terminal Bud

The bud at the end of a stem indicating growth in length

Terminal bud scar

The scar left on a stem after a terminal bud falls off, which indicates a past growth point

Lateral Bud

A bud found on the side of a stem

leaf scar

The mark left on a stem where a leaf has fallen off, indicating a previous leaf attachment

vascular bundle scar

The mark left on a stem at the site where a vascular bundle was once attached

Stomata

Small openings in the leaf that regulate gas exchange and transpiration.

Spongy Layer

A layer of loosely packed cells in a leaf that allows for gas exchange.

Palisade Layer

A layer of tightly packed cells in a leaf where most photosynthesis occurs.

Tendril

A modified stem or leaf that helps the plant climb by wrapping around objects.

Bract Leaf

A modified leaf that is often colorful to attract pollinators.

Cladophyll

A stem modification that functions like a leaf for photosynthesis.

What are the levels of organization?

cells- tissue- organs

• What level of organization are roots, stems, and leaves?

organs of a plant

Know the function and location of the roots

Roots anchor the plant and absorb water and nutrients, store starch

Know the function of the stems

transport nutrients and water between roots and leaves

Know the location of stems

Stems are located above ground, connecting roots to leaves and flowers

Know the location of leaves

Leaves are located on the stems

Know the function of the leaves

Leaves are for photosynthesis and gas exchange, converting sunlight into energy, transpiration

Taproot function:

single root, deeper, generally stores food/starch

Fibrous root function:

• lots of fibers, shallower, more water absorption

Prop root function:

helps to hold plant up

What are adventitious roots?

roots that grow from unusual places, such as stems or leaves, often providing additional support or nutrition

Cortex

ground tissue occurs outside of vascular tissue

cork

a protective layer of dead cells that covers the bark of trees

cambium

a layer of tissue responsible for the growth of secondary plant structures

potato/ name of modification? Function?

tubers, store nutrients and energy for the plant

onion/ name of modification? Function?

bulbs, store nutrients

strawberry runner / name of modification? Function?

stolon (above ground) rhizome (below ground), a horizontal stem that allows the plant to propagate and spread.

ginger root / name of modification? Function?

rhizome, stores nutrients

cactus stem / name of modification? Function?

cladophyll, photosynthesis

Rose thorn / name of modification? Function?

Thorn , protection

cucumber vine / name of modification? Function?

tendril, climbing

kalanchoe leaf / name of modification? Function?

reproductive leaf, can reproduce plant

succulent leaf / name of modification? Function?

storage leaf, stores water / waxy to prevent water loss

Poinsettia leaf / name of modification? Function?

bract leaf, attracts pollinators

cactus spine / name of modification? Function?

spines, protection of plants