Plant Morphology/Anatomy Notes

A collection of 200 vocabulary flashcards derived from lecture notes on plant morphology and anatomy, covering essential concepts, terms, and definitions necessary for understanding the structure and function of plant systems.

Tracheophytes

Collectively refers to ferns, fern allies, and seed plants, which have a highly evolved sporophyte phase.

Sporophyte phase

The dominant phase of the life cycle of tracheophytes, characterized by a complex structure.

Vascular plant body

Structured into organs and internally organized into various cells and tissues.

Vegetative organs

Organs responsible for a plant's growth, including leaves, stems, and roots.

Reproductive organs

Organs involved in reproduction; includes flowers, inflorescences, fruits, and seeds.

Microgametophyte

The male gametophyte that produces sperm.

Megagametophyte

The female gametophyte that produces eggs.

Simple tissues

Composed primarily of one cell type; examples include parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma.

Complex tissues

Consist of two or more cell types; vascular tissues like phloem and xylem fall into this category.

Dermal tissue system

Comprises the outer protective covering of cells of the primary plant body.

Ground tissue system

The tissue system that forms the bulk of the plant body, involved in functions such as photosynthesis and storage.

Vascular tissue system

Transports water and nutrients across the plant; includes xylem and phloem.

Apical meristem

A region of growing tissue at the tip of roots and shoots where cell division occurs.

Meristems

Regions of undifferentiated cells that can divide and differentiate into various plant tissues.

Primary growth

Growth that results in the elongation of the plant, producing primary tissues.

Secondary growth

Growth that increases the thickness of the plant and is produced by lateral meristems.

Xylem

Conducting tissue in vascular plants that transports water and dissolved minerals from the roots.

Phloem

Conducting tissue that transports carbohydrates and nutrients throughout the plant.

Parenchyma

A type of simple tissue involved in storage, photosynthesis, and tissue repair.

Collenchyma

Supporting tissue composed of living cells with unevenly thickened primary walls.

Sclerenchyma

A type of tissue that provides support and protection, composed of dead cells.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of cells on a plant, providing protection and regulating gas exchange.

Periderm

A protective tissue that replaces the epidermis in plants that undergo secondary growth.

Cork cambium

A lateral meristem that gives rise to the periderm.

Meristematic cells

Cells that retain the ability to divide and differentiate into various cell types.

Parenchyma cells

Living cells that can dedifferentiate and participate in meristematic activity.

Cuticle

A waxy layer covering the epidermis, reducing water loss.

Stomata

Small openings on the leaf surface that allow for gas exchange.

Transpiration

The process of water vapor loss from the plant, primarily through stomata.

Inflorescence

The arrangement of flowers on a plant.

Fruits

Mature ovaries that protect seeds and aid in their dispersal.

Seed structure

An embryonic plant enclosed in a protective outer covering, often with nutrient stores.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.

Chlorenchyma

A type of parenchyma tissue rich in chloroplasts, involved in photosynthesis.

Aerenchyma

Parenchyma with large intercellular spaces that facilitate gas exchange.

Sieve elements

Cells of the phloem responsible for transporting sugars and other organic compounds.

Vessel elements

Specialized cells in xylem that conduct water and dissolved minerals.

Tracheids

Long, narrow cells in xylem that facilitate water conduction and provide support.

Fibers

Elongate cells that provide structural support in plants.

Leaf primordia

Regions of developing leaves formed from meristematic tissue.

Cotyledons

Seed leaves that provide nutrients to the developing embryo.

Axillary buds

Lateral buds that can develop into new shoots or flowers.

Meristematic activity

Cell division and differentiation that leads to growth.

Apical-basal pattern

Pattern of development establishing polarity in the embryo, with distinct upper (apical) and lower (basal) ends.

Tissue systems

Groups of tissues that function together; include dermal, ground, and vascular systems.

Terminal tracheids

Specialized tracheids at the ends of vascular bundles in ferns.

Vascular cambium

A lateral meristem that produces secondary xylem and phloem.

Rhizome

A horizontal underground stem that serves as a storage organ and propagates the plant.

Tendril

A modified leaf or stem that helps plants climb or attach to structures.

Succulent leaves

Leaves adapted for water storage, typically in arid environments.

Mycorrhizal fungi

Fungi that form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, aiding in nutrient uptake.

Cork cells

Dead cells in the periderm that have thick walls impregnated with suberin.

Phloem fibers

Fibers associated with phloem tissue that provide support.

Heartwood

The inactive center of a tree's trunk; composed of non-conducting xylem.

Sapwood

The outer, living layer of xylem that conducts water and nutrients.

Branch traces

Vascular bundles that connect branches to the main stem.

Node

The point on a stem where leaves or buds arise.

Internode

The segment of stem between two nodes.

Phyllotaxy

The arrangement of leaves on a stem.

Adventitious roots

Roots that arise from non-root tissues, like stems or leaves.

Pneumatophores

Air roots that grow above the water surface, helping in respiration.

Exodermis

An outer layer of cells, similar to the endodermis, that provides additional protection.

Vascular cylinder

Central part of a root containing xylem and phloem tissues.

Siphonostele

A type of vascular arrangement where xylem is surrounded by a pith.

Protostele

A solid mass of xylem surrounded by phloem.

Eustele

A vascular stele with bundles arranged in a ring, typical of eudicots.

Atactostele

A scattered arrangement of vascular bundles, typical in monocots.

Phloem rays

Radial files of parenchyma cells in the phloem, running perpendicular to the primary vascular elements.

Pith rays

Parenchyma tissue that separates adjacent vascular bundles.

Lenticels

Structures in the bark that provide openings for gas exchange.

Bundle sheath

A layer of protective cells surrounding a vascular bundle.

Guttation

The exudation of water droplets from leaf margins, often occurring at night.

Pulvini

Swollen areas at the base of petioles that can facilitate leaf movement.

Cutin

A waxy substance found in the cuticle of leaves that reduces water loss.

Silica cells

Epidermal cells that deposit silica, providing structural support.

Bulliform cells

Large epidermal cells in leaves that help reduce water loss during drought.

Hydathodes

Specialized structures that secrete water and dissolved substances, often found at leaf tips.

Glandular trichomes

Epidermal hairs that secrete various substances, such as oils or resins.

Idioblasts

Specialized cells that differ from surrounding cells in structure or function.

Myrosin cells

Cells that produce toxic compounds in response to herbivory.

Resin canals

Tissues that produce and store resin in some plants.

Laticifers

Structures that produce latex in certain plants.

Mucilage cells

Cells that secrete mucilage, often serving multiple functions including hydration.

Callus tissue

Undifferentiated tissue formed in response to injury that can develop into meristematic cells.

Tyloses

Outgrowths from parenchyma cells into the lumens of vessels, often helping to seal off damaged areas.

Ergastic substances

Metabolically inactive materials stored within cells, such as starch or crystals.

Xerophytes

Plants adapted to arid conditions, often with specialized characteristics to reduce water loss.

Hydrophytes

Plants adapted to aquatic environments, often with structural modifications for water retention.

Mesophytes

Plants adapted to moderate moisture conditions.

Epidermal secretions

Materials secreted by the epidermis, including waxes, oils, and other protective substances.

Sclerenchyma fibers

Thick-walled fibers that provide mechanical support to the plant.

Cortex (root)

The region between the epidermis and vascular tissues, primarily involved in storage.

Pericycle

A layer of parenchyma cells in roots, involved in the formation of lateral roots.

Endodermis

The innermost layer of the cortex in roots, important for regulating water and ion uptake.

Vascular bundle arrangement

The specific pattern of vascular tissues, varying between monocots and eudicots.

Growth increments

Annual rings formed due to seasonal growth activity of the vascular cambium.

Cork cambium

Meristem that forms the periderm, a protective outer layer in stems and roots.

Siphonostelic wood

Wood characterized by the presence of a central pith surrounded by xylem and phloem.

Dimorphic roots

Roots that can take on more than one structural form depending on environmental conditions.

Phytomere

The repeating unit of the plant stem that includes a leaf, node, internode, and axillary bud.