Plant Tissue Organization and Growth Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the structure and function of various plant tissues based on the lecture notes.

Epidermal tissue

Tissue that coats the outer surface of stems, leaves, and roots of young plants.

Cuticle

A waxy and waterproof layer covering the epidermis that reduces water loss through transpiration, protects against mechanical injury, and prevents pathogen attack.

Guard cells

Modified epidermal cells that control the opening and closing of the stoma.

Root hair cells

Modified epidermal cells that increase the surface area of the root for the absorption of water and mineral salts.

Parenchyma tissue

The simplest living cells that have not undergone differentiation, possess the thinnest cell walls, and are involved in photosynthesis, storage, and gas exchange.

Collenchyma tissue

Living cells that become flexible when mature, with cell walls made of pectin and hemicellulose that provide mechanical support and elasticity.

Sclerenchyma tissue

Tissue consisting of dead cells when mature with the thickest cell walls among ground tissues, providing support and mechanical strength to mature plant parts.

Xylem

Vascular tissue made of dead cells with lignin-thickened walls that transports water and mineral salts from the roots to all parts of the plant.

Phloem

Vascular tissue composed of companion cells and sieve tubes that transports sugars from the leaves to storage organs such as roots, fruits, and tubers.

Sieve tubes

Living cells within the phloem that contain cytoplasm but lack organelles like the nucleus and ribosomes upon reaching maturity.

Lignin

A substance that coats the cell walls of xylem to provide structural reinforcement.

Permanent tissue

A category of plant tissues that includes epidermal, ground (parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma), and vascular (xylem, phloem) tissues.