Plant Systems

Why should we care about plants?

Food, provide oxygen, foundation of the food chain, important in the water cycle, provide habitatis, medicine, enjoyment and beauty

Shoot System

System in flowering plants that is specialized to conduct food and water processes, photosynthesize, reproduce sexually

Leaf

The main photosynthetic structure in plants

Chloroplast

An organelle found in plant and algae cells where photosynthesis occurs; contain thykaloids

Thykaloid

Arranged in stacks called grana; grana act as solar collectors using chlorophyll

Photosynthesis

Light energy + CO2 + H2O --> C6H12O6 (glucose) + O2

Flower

Specialized reproductive shoot of a flowering plant

Stem

Supports branches, leaves, and flowers; provides a way to transport materials

Root System

Anchors the plant; absorbs water through root hairs; conducts water and nutrient processes; stores food and nutrients

Dermal Tissue

Tissue of the plant that makes up the waxy outer layer of the plant

Epidermal

A thin layer of cells that cover the surface of leaves, stems, and roots

Periderm

The tissue replacing epidermal tissue; creates bark on plants

Vascular Tissue

Specialized tissue in plants that carries water and nutrients

Xylem

Non-living tissue that transports water from the roots to the leaves

Phloem

Living vascular tissue that carries sugar and organic substances throughout a plant

Monocot

Vascular bundles arranged randomly throughout the stem

Dicot

Vascular bundles arranged in a ring

Ground Tissue

Tissue found between the vascular and dermal tissue

Meristematic Cells

A type of stem cell that can differentiate into any type of plant cell

Apical Meristem Tissues

Found in the tips of roots and shoots

Lateral Meristem Tissue

Responsible for increasing the thichness of the stem

Guard Cells

A pair of epidermal cells that control gas diffusion by controlling the opening and closing of stomata pores

Palisade Cells

Closely packed photosynthetic cells within leaves

Vegetative Reproduction

The process in which plants produce genetically identical offspring from it's roots or shoots

Pollination

Sexual reproduction in which pollen grains meet an egg to create a fertalized seed

Petals

Brightly colored and attract pollinators

Sepals

Leaflike parts that cover and protect the flower bud

Stamens

The pollen-producing male reproductive organ of a flower

Anthers

Produce pollen

Pistil

The female reproductive part of a flower

Stigma

Sticky part of the flower to collect pollen

Artificial Selection

Breeding organisms with specific traits in order to produce offspring with identical traits

Genetically Modified Organisms

An animal, plant, or microbe whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. Example: golden rice