Plant Anatomy

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the plant anatomy lecture.

Tissue

A group of cells consisting of one or more cell types that perform a specialized function.

Organ

Consists of several types of tissues that together carry out particular functions.

Root

An organ that anchors the plant, absorbs minerals and water, and stores carbohydrates.

Taproot system

A root system consisting of a main vertical root and lateral roots, common in most eudicots and gymnosperms.

Fibrous root system

A root system made up of many small roots of similar size, common in monocots.

Xylem

Vascular tissue that conveys water and dissolved minerals upward from roots into the shoots.

Phloem

Vascular tissue that transports organic nutrients from where they are made to where they are needed.

Dermal Tissue

The outer protective layer of the plant, consisting of epidermis and periderm.

Parenchyma

Plant cells with thin flexible cell walls that perform metabolic functions and retain the ability to divide.

Collenchyma

Support cells with thicker primary cell walls that provide flexible support for young plant parts.

Sclerenchyma

Rigid cells with thick secondary walls strengthened with lignin, which are dead at maturity.

Tracheids

Water-conducting cells found in the xylem of all vascular plants.

Vessel elements

Water-conducting cells in the xylem of most angiosperms and a few gymnosperms, dead at maturity.

Sieve-tube elements

Alive at functional maturity, these elements lack organelles and are involved in the transport of sugars.

Mesophyll

Ground tissue in a leaf sandwiched between the upper and lower epidermis.

Guard cells

Cells that flank the stomata and regulate their opening and closing.

Endodermis

The innermost layer of the cortex that regulates passage of substances into the vascular cylinder.

Pericycle

The outermost cell layer in the vascular cylinder from which lateral roots arise.

Axillary bud

A bud that forms in the angle between a leaf and stem.

Apical bud

A bud located at the tip of a stem that promotes lengthwise growth.