Morphology of Flowering Plants

Vocabulary flashcards covering the components of the seed, the distinction between root and shoot systems, and the basic morphological classification of flowering plants.

Morphology

The study of the external structure of higher plants.

Root system

The underground part of the flowering plant.

Shoot system

The portion of the flowering plant located above the ground.

Seed coat

The part of the seed that provides protection.

Embryo

A central part of the seed consisting of the plumule and the radicle.

Plumule

The part of the embryo that gives rise to the shoot system.

Radicle

The part of the embryo that gives rise to the root system through direct elongation.

Cotyledon

The part of the seed used for food storage.

Dicotyledonous plants

Plants whose seeds contain two embryonic leaves or cotyledons.

Monocot plant

A plant characterized by the presence of a single cotyledon.

Primary root

The initial root that grows inside the soil, formed by the direct elongation of the radicle.

Lateral roots

Roots of several orders, referred to as secondary or tertiary roots, that branch off the primary root.

Inflorescence

One of the main parts of a flowering plant's structure, alongside the root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, and seed.