Vascular System Transport in Plants and Animalia Overview

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the vascular system and transport mechanisms in plants, as well as a few additional concepts relevant to the animal kingdom.

What are the main components of a leaf structure?

The main components are the epidermis, mesophyll, and veins.

What is the function of the cuticle on a leaf?

The cuticle provides protection and has a waxy covering.

What role do guard cells play in a leaf?

Guard cells control the opening and closing of stomata for gas exchange.

Where are most stomata located on a leaf?

Most stomata are found on the lower side of the leaf.

What are the two parts of mesophyll in dicot leaves?

The two parts are the palisade mesophyll and the spongy mesophyll.

What is the primary function of xylem?

Xylem transports water in plants.

What is the main role of phloem?

Phloem transports sugars and organic compounds.

What type of plant tissue is collenchyma?

Collenchyma is a type of living plant tissue that allows flexibility in growth.

What is the difference between heartwood and sapwood?

Heartwood is the innermost, clogged, and dead xylem, while sapwood contains living xylem that transports water.

What is a unique characteristic of meristematic tissues?

Meristematic tissues are responsible for the growth of new cells in plants.

What are stomata?

Stomata are openings on plant leaves that allow gas exchange.

What is the significance of lenticels?

Lenticels are openings that allow for gas exchange in woody plants.

What is a common adaptation of perennial plants regarding xylem?

Perennials must manage an older xylem system that can become clogged over many years.

What do the terms 'source' and 'sink' refer to in plant transport?

'Source' refers to where sugars are produced (like leaves) while 'sink' refers to where sugars are consumed or stored (like roots and fruits).

What type of transport is used by phloem to move sugars?

Phloem uses active transport to move sugars.

What is the process by which bacteria in root nodules fix nitrogen?

The process involves the enzyme nitrogenase, which converts a less usable form of nitrogen into a more usable form.

What is parthenogenesis in plants?

Parthenogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction where the egg develops without fertilization.

What are tracheids and vessel elements?

Both are types of cells in xylem; tracheids are narrow and restrict water flow, while vessel elements are wider and allow more water flow.

What are two ways plants can reproduce asexually?

Plants can reproduce asexually through methods such as budding and fragmentation.

What is a tropism?

Tropism is a growth response in plants to environmental stimuli such as light (phototropism) or gravity (gravitropism).