Lesson 4: Cell Modification (Plant Tissues and Specialized Cells)

Flashcards covering meristematic vs permanent tissues, plant organs, plant tissues (parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma, xylem, phloem), and animal specialized cells.

What is meristematic tissue?

Plant tissue that has the ability to divide actively throughout its life.

What is permanent tissue?

Tissues that are completely grown and have lost the ability to divide.

Name the two main categories of plant tissues.

Meristematic and Permanent.

What are the three types of meristematic tissue?

Apical, Lateral, and Intercalary meristems.

Where are Shoot Apical Meristems located and what do they do?

At the tips of shoots; they enable primary growth and increasing height.

Where are Root Apical Meristems located and what do they do?

At the tips of roots; they enable primary growth.

What is the function of apical meristems?

Primary growth (increase in height) of the plant.

What are lateral meristems?

Meristematic tissues located on the sides of stems and roots that increase the plant’s thickness.

Name two lateral meristems.

Vascular cambium and cork cambium.

What is the vascular cambium's role?

Increases diameter of stems/roots and forms woody tissue.

What is the cork cambium's role?

Protects the plant body against damage and helps reduce water loss.

What is intercalary meristem?

Located at the base of leaves or internodes; growth in length occurs in the middle/medial position.

Into which two broad categories are permanent tissues divided?

Simple Permanent and Complex Permanent.

What are the three Simple Permanent tissues?

Parenchyma, Collenchyma, and Sclerenchyma.

What is Parenchyma?

Bulk of the plant ground tissue; functions in photosynthesis, storage, transport, and wound healing.

What is Collenchyma?

Provides support, mechanical strength, and flexibility to young plant parts.

What is Sclerenchyma?

Provides mechanical support and strength; protects nuts and seeds; hard tissues.

What are Complex Permanent tissues?

Xylem and Phloem.

What does Xylem do?

Transports water and minerals upward from roots to leaves; located in the center of stems and roots.

What are some characteristics of Xylem cells?

One-way flow; no end walls between cells; lignified (stiffened).

What does Phloem do?

Transports sugars (photosynthates) from leaves to other parts of the plant; also known as bark; two-way flow.

What are some characteristics of Phloem cells?

End walls with perforations; enables transport of water and food in two directions.

What is the function of leaves?

Photosynthesis.

What is the function of flowers?

Reproduction.

What is the function of fruits?

Protect seeds.

What is the function of stems?

Support the plant.

What is a specialized cell?

A cell with unique structures allowing it to carry out a specific function.

What are stem cells?

Cells capable of becoming many cell types; capable of self-renewal; unspecialized; repair and replace damaged tissues.

What is a red blood cell (erythrocyte) primarily responsible for?

Delivering oxygen to tissues and transporting carbon dioxide to the lungs.

What is a white blood cell (leukocyte) primarily responsible for?

Part of the immune system; fights infection; can change shape to reach infection sites and engulf pathogens.

What is an egg cell?

Female reproductive cell that provides half the genetic information and contains nutrients, proteins, and RNA.

What is a sperm cell?

Male gamete that fertilizes an egg, carrying half the genetic information to form a zygote.

What is a nerve cell (neuron) designed to do?

Transmit electrical signals; long and branched; can be insulated by a myelin sheath to speed signaling.

What is a muscle cell?

Cells that can contract and relax; found in cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle.

What is a fat cell?

Stores energy as fat; can expand; few mitochondria; fat acts as padding to protect organs.