Plant Anatomy

What are Parenchyma cells?

Basic plant cells with thin walls; used for storage, photosynthesis, and tissue repair

What are Collenchyma cells?

Plant cells with unevenly thickened walls that provide flexible support

What are Sclerenchyma cells?

Plant cells with thick, lignified walls that provide rigid support

What is the function of guard cells?

They regulate the opening and closing of stomata for gas exchange

What is a stomata?

Small pores on leaves for gas exchange

How do monocot and eudicot leaves differ in cross-section?

Monocots have parallel veins and scattered vascular bundles; eudicots have net-like veins and organized vascular bundles

What is the difference in root types between monocots and eudicots?

Monocots have fibrous roots; eudicots have a taproot

What is a key leaf venation difference between monocots and eudicots?

Monocots = parallel venation; Eudicots = reticulate venation

What does xylem do?

Transports water and minerals up from roots

What does phloem do?

Transports sugars and products of photosynthesis throughout the plant (any direction)

What are hyphae?

Thread-like structures of fungi that form mycorrhizae with plant roots

What is mycorrhizae?

A mutualistic association between fungi and plant roots

What are root nodules?

Swellings on roots housing Rhizobium bacteria for nitrogen fixation

What do Rhizobium bacteria do?

Fix atmospheric nitrogen into a form plants can use

What are pneumatophores?

Aerial roots that allow gas exchange in swampy environments

What are prop roots?

Roots that grow from the stem downward to support the plant (e.g., in corn)

What is the function of plant stems?

Support leaves and transport water, nutrients, and sugars

What are runners?

Horizontal stems that grow along the ground (e.g., strawberries)

What are rhizomes?

Underground horizontal stems for storage and asexual reproduction

What are tubers?

Swollen underground stems used for storage (e.g., potatoes)

What are bulbs?

Short stems surrounded by fleshy leaves for storage (e.g., onions)

What are the three parts of a leaf?

Margin, Base, Apex

What is palmate venation?

Several veins spread out from a single point

What is pinnate venation?

One main vein with smaller veins branching off

What is the difference between compound and simple leaves?

Simple leaves have one blade; compound leaves have multiple leaflets

What parts make up the female part of a flower?

Stigma, Style, Ovary = Carpel or Pistil

What parts make up the male part of a flower?

Anther and Filament = Stamen

What are petals collectively called?

Corolla

What are sepals collectively called?

Calyx

What is the receptacle?

The part of the stem that holds the floral organs