Plant Anatomy: The Stem

Vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy, functions, and modifications of the plant stem based on the lecture notes.

Water-conducting vessels (Vodovodne cevi)

Vascular tubes through which water and mineral substances flow from the roots to the other parts of the plant.

Sieve tubes (Sitaste cevi)

Vessels through which food (sugar), produced during photosynthesis, flows in the opposite direction of water.

Trunk (Deblo)

A lignified stem of trees and shrubs that provides support for the plant.

Bark (Lubje)

The outer part of a tree trunk.

Wood (Les)

The central or inner part of a tree trunk.

Dividing Cell Layer

The layer of cells located between the wood and the bark that divides to cause the trunk to thicken.

Growth Increments (Branike)

The annual growth of wood visible on a cross-section of a trunk.

Annual Rings (Letnice)

The boundaries between two growth increments (branike) that form during the plant's winter dormancy.

Stem Tuber

An underground modified stem, such as a potato.

Rhizome (Korenika)

An underground modified stem, such as an iris.

Bulb Disc (Stebelni krožec)

The underground modified stem structure found in onions.

Stem Thorn (Stebelni trn)

An aboveground modified stem used for protection, such as in blackthorns.

Tendrils (Vitice)

An aboveground modified stem used for climbing, such as in grapevines.

Runners (Pritlike)

An aboveground modified stem, such as those found in strawberry plants.

Core Functions of the Stem

Bearing leaves, flowers, and fruits; providing support; enabling water transport; and storing food manufactured by the plant.

Shoot Apex (Stebelni vršiček)

The tip of the stem where growth and elongation occur.

Bud (Popek)

The structure that protects the shoot apex during winter dormancy; it grows into a new shoot in the spring.