Plant Science Test 1

How are the domains classified?

Through their genetic sequences.

Describe the features of Fungi.

Eukaryotes, cell walls with chitin, heterotrophic storage carbon as glycogen.

Define Algae.

Aquatic photosynthetic life.

What are biological mimics?

Materials that imitate organisms in function or form.

Name the four properties of life.

Respond to its environment, Evolves, Are made up of cells, Undergoes chemical reactions to stay alive (metabolism, homeostasis).

What is the main transport form of carbohydrates?

Sucrose.

What is the storage form of carbohydrates?

Starch.

What is the main structural form of carbohydrates?

Cellulose.

What part of the plant contains the most lipids?

Seeds.

Explain the difference between saturated and unsaturated.

Saturated: no double bonds; Unsaturated: double bonds. Plants have unsaturated.

How much genetic information do you share with a plant?

40%.

What organic compounds are produced by the plant that are not absolutely required for development?

Secondary Products: Lipids, Proteins, Nucleotides, Carbohydrates.

What are the four classes of secondary products?

Terpenes, Phenolics, Glycosides, Alkaloids.

What is the structure of a terpene?

Contains multiple isoprene units.

What is the function of terpenes?

Defense.

What is a phenolic?

Compounds with unsaturated carbon ring structures.

What are the four different types of phenolics?

Lignins, Flavonoids, Tannins, Coumarins.

What is the function of Lignins?

Strengthen cell walls.

What is the function of flavonoid?

Color, protection, growth.

What is the function of urushiol?

Protection.

What is the function of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)?

Defending from predators.

Which of the four phenolics is hydrophobic?

Urushiol.

Describe the features of Glycosides.

Growth, defense against pathogens.

How are saponins used in modern medicines?

Anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory.

What is used to treat congestive heart failure?

Digitoxin.

What do saponins contain? What does it convert into?

Contains diosgenin (a phytoestrogen).

Describe the structure of alkaloids.

Contains N-carbon ring; produced as a deterrent (repellent).

List some examples of alkaloids.

Nicotine, morphine, cocaine, and caffeine.

Why should you be careful of conium maculatum?

Deadly poison.

How would you lower the potency of conium maculatum for humans but still be effective against insects?

Removing the shikimate pathway.

What is cell theory?

All cells come from preexisting cells; Cells are the basic unit of life; All life is made of cells.

Name the most abundant organic compound.

Cellulose.

What is the primary cell wall composed of? Do all plants have this?

Composed of cellulose and polysaccharides; all plants have it.

What is the secondary wall composed of? Do all plants have this?

Lignified tissue; only certain plants.

Describe the function of the cell wall.

Provides structure to the cell and helps with transport of water.

What layer of material joins the cell wall together with the adjacent cells?

Middle lamella.

What is the middle lamella composed of?

Pectin.

What role do microfibrils have?

Growth and shape.

What determines the shape of the plant and how?

Microfibrils determine shape by their arrangement.

List all the plastids.

Chloroplasts, Chromoplasts, Leucoplasts.

What are the similarities and differences of the mitochondria and chloroplasts?

Similarities: Both produce energy, have E- Transport, ATP Synthase, and double membranes; Differences: Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and perform photosynthesis.

What is the function of Leucoplasts?

Synthesis and storage of starch.

Describe the function of chloroplasts.

Photosynthesis.

What is the function of chromoplasts?

Pigmentation.

What is the function of vacuole crystals?

Provide defense from herbivores.

Describe the function of the nucleus, nuclear pores, and nucleolus.

Nucleus: protein synthesis & cell reproduction; Nuclear pores: RNA passes through; Nucleolus: Ribosome formation.

In 2010; artificial production of a bacterial chromosome transplanted into another bacterial cell. Did researchers create life?

No, it needs more structures.

How does vincristine work as an anticancer drug?

Disrupts microtubule formation.

How many divisions of phyla do plants have?

What is the cell wall made up of?

Cellulose.

Which phylum does have vascular tissue?

Seedless vascular, gymnosperms, angiosperms.

Define the alternation of generations.

The alternation between diploid and haploid stages.

How does the gametophyte and sporophyte differ?

Gametophyte produces gametes; Sporophytes produce spores.

What habitats are bryophytes adapted for?

Wet habitats.

What environment are seedless vascular plants located in?

Moist environments.

What cells are responsible for cell division? How many types are there?

Meristematic cells; two different types.

Which meristem produces primary cells?

Apical Meristem.

What type of growth do primary cells do?

Length-wise.

What meristem produces the secondary tissue?

Lateral meristems.

What type of growth do secondary cells do?

Width-wise.

What other cells are involved with lateral meristems?

Vascular cambium and cork cambium.

What is the function of the epidermis?

Reduces water loss and protects from bacteria and pathogens.

What is the function of trichomes?

Water absorption.

What is the bulk of tissue of herbaceous plants?

Ground tissue.

Describe the parenchyma, and what is its function.

Thin-walled cell walls; function in storage and metabolism.

Describe the collenchyma, and what is its function.

Unevenly thickened walls of cellulose; provides flexible support and structure.

Describe the Sclerenchyma, and what is its function.

Evenly-thickened, lignified walls; provides mechanical support and strength.

What is the bulk of tissues in woody plants

Conducting tissue.

Describe the difference between xylem and phloem.

Xylem carries water and minerals and is nonliving at maturity; Phloem transports carbohydrates and is living at maturity.

What is the function of the stems?

Support, structure, and elevate plant towards sunlight.

What is the difference between herbaceous and woody dicot stems?

Herbaceous: only primary ground tissue; Woody dicot: vascular and has secondary xylem.

What produces secondary xylem to the inside and secondary phloem to the outside?

Vascular cambium.

What is the difference between springwood and summerwood?

Springwood is lighter colored/wider cells produced during spring; Summerwood is denser, darker colored and grows in the summer.

What does cork cambium produce?

Produces periderm (corky outer layer).

What is bark composed of?

Secondary Phloem (containing sucrose), cork cambium and periderm.

What is the function of mesophyll?

Carries out photosynthesis.

What is the difference between palisade and mesophyll?

Palisade absorbs light packed with chloroplasts; mesophyll allows for gas exchange.

When did the angiosperm appear in the fossil record?

Approximately 140 million years ago.

What did leaves evolve into?

Modified structures like flowers and seed pods.

How many whorls are on a flower?

What is the function of the sepal?

Protect the flower bud and support the flower’s petals.

What is the function of the stamen?

Produce pollen grains.

What is the function of petals?

Attract pollinators and protect reproductive organs.

What does the ovary mature into?

Fruits.

What do the ovules mature into?

Seeds.

What is the difference between dicot and monocot flowers?

Dicots have multiples of 4s and 5s petals; Monocots have multiples of 3s petals.

What are the qualities of a complete flower?

Has all whorls.

What are the qualities of an incomplete flower?

Missing one or more whorls.

What is a perfect and imperfect flower?

Perfect: having male and female organs; Imperfect: unisexual (male or female, but not both).

What is hypogynous in a flower?

When it has its petals under its carpel.

What is epigynous in a flower?

When it has its petals around its carpel.

Define inflorescence.

Cluster of flowers.

What is palynology?

Study of pollen.

What does meiosis lead to?

Microspores or pollen grains.

What is exine?

The outer layer of a pollen grain or spore.

What does the remaining megaspore divide into?

Forms megagametophyte.

What does pollen land on?

On the stigma.

What advantage is there of stamens and carpels maturing at different times?

Ensures that the plant receives pollen from another plant, encouraging genetic diversity.

Compare animal vs. wind pollination.

Animal pollination is specific and less pollen is needed; wind pollination is nonspecific and requires more pollen.

Why would extreme specialization between pollinator and flower be both advantage and drawback?

If the pollinator goes extinct, so will the plant; however, it benefits both species' populations.