Chapter 32: Plant Structure and Growth Overview

What are the three types of organs that make up the vegetative portions of a plant?

Roots, stems, and leaves.

What is the primary function of roots in vascular plants?

To anchor the plant in soil, absorb minerals and water, and store carbohydrates.

What role do stems play in a plant's structure?

They raise or separate leaves, exposing them to sunlight.

What is the main photosynthetic organ of a plant?

Leaves.

How do roots and shoots depend on each other for survival?

supply water and nutrients to shoots, provide photosynthates to roots.

What are the three tissue types found in plants?

Dermal tissue, vascular tissue, and ground tissue.

What is the function of dermal tissue in plants?

It serves as the outer protective covering against damage and pathogens.

What is the difference between non-woody and woody dermal tissues?

Non-woody plants have an epidermis, while woody plants have a more complex periderm.

What specialized dermal cells control the opening and closing of stomata?

Guard cells.

What is the function of trichomes in plants?

They provide protection and secrete oils.

What is the role of root hairs in a plant?

They increase the surface area of roots and are the main absorptive surface.

What does xylem transport in plants?

Water and dissolved minerals upward from roots to shoots.

What is the primary function of phloem in plants?

To conduct photosynthates downward from leaves to areas of need.

What are the two types of xylem cells found in gymnosperms and flowering plants?

Tracheids in gymnosperms and vessel elements in flowering plants.

What distinguishes monocots from eudicots in terms of plant structure?

They differ in embryonic cotyledon number, vascular tissue arrangement, leaf venation patterns, flower parts, pollen grain apertures, and root system structure.

What is the function of apical meristems in plants?

They are responsible for lengthening growth, also known as primary growth.

What are lateral meristems and where are they found?

They allow growth in circumference and are only present in woody plants.

What are the three zones of growth in roots?

Zone of cell division, zone of elongation, and zone of differentiation.

How do monocot and eudicot roots differ in vascular tissue arrangement?

Monocots have fibrous roots, while eudicots typically have taproots.

What is the role of the shoot apical meristem?

It is a dome-shaped mass of cells at the shoot tip responsible for growth.

What is apical dominance in plants?

It is the phenomenon where the growth of axillary buds is inhibited by the terminal bud.

What are the two types of tissue that allow secondary growth in woody plants?

Vascular cambium and cork cambium.

What is the function of vascular cambium?

It adds layers of secondary xylem and secondary phloem to increase vascular flow.

What is heartwood in trees?

Inner layers of secondary xylem that no longer transport water and minerals.

What is the purpose of cork cambium in trees?

It replaces the epidermis with a tougher, wax-impregnated periderm for protection.

What is periderm in plants?

It consists of each layer of cork and the cork cambium that produced it.

What is bark in relation to plant structure?

includes all tissues external to the vascular cambium, including cork, cork cambium, and secondary phloem.