Seed Anatomy and Flower Anatomy Labs

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering seed anatomy, seed germination requirements, monocot vs. dicot distinctions, and flower reproductive anatomy from Labs 10A and 11B.

What is the biological definition of seed germination?

The sprouting of a seed, or the process where it begins to grow.

What type of bean seed is recommended for the seed dissection in Lab 10A?

A softened Lima Bean or large dried bean.

For how long should a dried bean seed soak in water prior to dissection?

$12\text{ to }24\text{ hours}$.

Which optional tool is suggested to help observe small details inside the bean during dissection?

A magnifying glass.

Where should you cut or split a softened bean during dissection?

Along the line that runs down the middle of the seed coat.

What three main seed parts are students instructed to identify and label in the dissected bean?

The cotyledons, embryo, and seed coat.

What are cotyledons, and what is their primary function in a seed?

They are the two halves of the seed that provide the first food for the seedling as it grows.

What is the food source provided by the cotyledons called?

Endosperm.

What is the definition and role of the embryo within a seed?

It is the part of the seed that grows into the plant.

What is the primary function of the seed coat?

It protects the seed while it is dormant (not growing).

What does the term dormant mean when referring to a seed?

Not growing.

In seed classification, what does the prefix Mono- mean?

One.

In seed classification, what does the prefix Di- mean?

Two.

In the terms monocot and dicot, what is cot short for?

Cotyledons.

How many cotyledons does a monocot seed have?

Only one cotyledon.

How many cotyledons does a dicot seed such as a bean have?

Two cotyledons.

What specific example of a monocot seed is provided in the lab notes?

A corn seed.

How many bean seeds are placed into the small resealable bag when assembling the Bean Greenhouse?

$4$ bean seeds.

What moisture-providing supply is placed alongside the bean seeds in the mini greenhouse bag?

A dampened cotton ball.

Where should the Bean Greenhouse bag be placed after it is assembled?

Somewhere warm.

What three environmental conditions do seeds need to germinate?

Moisture, warmth, and a small amount of oxygen.

Under good conditions, how long does it take for bean seeds to germinate?

$5\text{ to }7\text{ days}$.

Why is sunlight unnecessary for seeds prior to germination?

Food for the emerging plant is already stored inside the seed until the leaves emerge.

What is the proper moisture level recommended for caring for germinating seeds?

Moist, but not soaking wet.

What two physical changes happen to a seed when it absorbs water?

It swells and its seed coat softens.

Why should the Bean Grow House bag be opened periodically at home?

To provide air and keep the seed moist.

At what stage in a seedling's development does sunlight become essential?

As the leaves emerge, so the plant can conduct photosynthesis and survive.

What six essential factors do plants need to grow after being transplanted into soil?

Sunlight (or artificial sunlight), water, nutrients, air, space, and support.

How do plants take in water compared to how animals do?

Animals drink water; plants take in water through their roots.

How do plants and animals differ in their gas exchange during respiration and photosynthesis?

Both respire oxygen, but plants also use carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and give off oxygen in that process.

How do plants obtain food (nutrients) compared to animals?

Animals ingest food through their mouths into a digestive system, whereas plants absorb nutrients from soil through roots and create sugars via photosynthesis.

Why do humans need sunlight, compared to why plants need sunlight?

Plants need sunlight to grow and carry out photosynthesis, while humans need sunlight for vitamin D synthesis.

What habitat requirement is shared by both plants and animals to grow and thrive?

Both need space and the proper habitat.

What is the radicle of a germinating seed?

The embryonic root that emerges first from the seed coat.

What is the hypocotyl in a germinating bean seedling?

The stem region below the cotyledons that elongates and arches to pull the cotyledons out of the ground.

What is the epicotyl in a growing seedling?

The region of the embryonic stem located above the cotyledons.

What are foliage leaves on a developing bean plant?

The first true photosynthetic leaves that expand after the cotyledons emerge.

What indicates that a seedling can manufacture its own food and should be potted?

The emergence of true leaves capable of carrying out photosynthesis.

Where should a seedling be planted once it develops leaves?

In a pot with soil or in the ground outside.

In Elizabeth Henry's photograph of a transplanted bean plant, what object provides physical support?

A wooden craft / popsicle stick.

What developing structure is visible hanging from the stem in the potted bean photograph?

A bean pod.

How does a dry bean compare visually and structurally with a soaked bean?

They share similar internal structures, but the soaked bean is larger, swollen, and has a softer coat.

What labeling requirement is specified for the bean dissection photograph assignment?

Place the dissected bean on white paper with your name written on it, and label the Embryo, Seed coat, and Endosperm.

How must a student verify identification when submitting the germinated plant photograph?

Place a sticker or label with their name on the cup or planter so it is visible in the photograph.

What three items must be uploaded to Canvas for the Lab 10A assignment?

The document with questions answered, a photo of the labeled bean dissection, and a photo of the germinated plant.

Why are different kinds of seeds planted at different times of the year?

Different plants have distinct temperature, light, and climatic preferences to initiate germination and thrive.

What environmental variables could be manipulated in an experiment testing germination conditions?

Variations in temperature (warmth), moisture levels, light exposure, or oxygen availability.

What challenge might farmers face regarding soil moisture during seed germination?

Keeping the seedbed sufficiently moist without over-saturating the soil and suffocating the seeds.

What are the structures labeled A, B, and C in this seed diagram?

A = Cotyledons (providing Endosperm), B = Embryo, C = Seed coat.

What biological process and developmental stages are illustrated in this diagram?

Germination of a common garden bean showing emergence of the radicle, seed coat, hypocotyl, cotyledons, epicotyl, and foliage leaves.

What are angiosperms?

Seed-bearing plants that produce flowers.

Where in an angiosperm are seeds containing plant embryos produced?

In the flower.

Morphologically, what are all the structural parts of a flower?

Modified leaves that are specialized for their roles in the reproductive process.

What term refers to the circular patterns or concentric rings in which flower parts are arranged?

Whorls.

What is the receptacle of a flower?

The enlarged base of the flower where all the whorls are attached.

Into what two primary functional groups can flower structures be divided?

Essential organs and accessory organs.

What are the essential organs of a flower?

The reproductive structures: the stamens (male) and the pistils (female).

What are the accessory organs of a flower?

The sepals and petals.

What is the primary function of the accessory organs in a flower?

To surround and protect the essential organs.

What is the male reproductive organ of a flower called?

The stamen.

What two parts comprise a stamen?

The anther and the filament.

What is the anther?

The enlarged structure at the top of the stamen that contains pollen sacs.

What is the filament of a stamen?

A thin stalk-like structure that supports the anther.

Where are pollen grains produced inside the anther?

Inside hollow chambers called pollen sacs.

By which nuclear division process do special cells in pollen sacs form pollen grains?

Meiosis.

How many sperm nuclei are contained within each mature pollen grain?

Two sperm nuclei.

What occurs when pollen grains reach maturity inside the anther?

The pollen sacs split open to release dust-like pollen.

What is the female reproductive organ of a flower called?

The pistil.

What three parts make up the pistil?

The stigma, style, and ovary.

What is the stigma of a pistil?

The enlarged portion at the top of the pistil that becomes moist and sticky when mature.

What is the function of the sticky surface of the stigma?

To capture and hold pollen grains that land upon it.

What is the style of a flower?

The middle portion of the pistil that supports the stigma.

What morphological variation exists among styles in different plant species?

A style can be long and slender, short, or completely absent.

What is the ovary of a flower?

The enlarged structure at the bottom of the pistil that contains locules and ovules.

What are locules inside a flower's ovary?

One or more hollow compartments within the ovary that hold ovules.

What structures are contained inside an ovary's locules?

One or more ovules.

What process occurs inside the ovule to produce egg nuclei?

Special cells undergo meiosis to form ova (eggs) containing egg nuclei.

How is pollination defined in flowering plants?

Pollination occurs when pollen grains land on and are trapped by the sticky surface of the stigma.

What structure emerges from a pollen grain following successful pollination?

A pollen tube.

How does a growing pollen tube penetrate the stigma tissue?

It releases special enzymes that digest the cell wall on the surface of the stigma.

What path does a pollen tube follow after penetrating the stigma?

It grows downward through the style into the ovary and enters an ovule.

How is fertilization defined in flowering plants?

Fertilization occurs when the sperm nuclei join with the egg nuclei inside the ovule.

What does the fertilized egg (zygote) become inside the ovule?

An embryo.

Following fertilization, what does the wall of the ovule thicken to form?

A seed, enclosing and protecting the embryo.

Following fertilization, what does the flower ovary wall thicken to form?

A fruit.

What happens to the ovary wall in fruits like apples?

It becomes fleshy and accumulates stored sugars and starches.

What happens to the ovary wall in fruits like walnuts?

It becomes dry and hard.

What are sepals, and what is their primary function?

The leaf-like structures of the outermost whorl, usually green, which protect the inner flower parts before blossoming.

What are petals, and how do they aid reproduction?

The whorl located directly under the sepals whose color and odor attract birds and insects for pollination.

Which whorl is removed first during a step-by-step flower dissection?

The outermost whorl, consisting of the sepals.

Why do flowering plants produce vastly more pollen grains than ovules?

Many pollen grains fail to reach a receptive stigma during transport; high production ensures successful pollination and reproduction.

What is the key difference between pollination and fertilization?

Pollination is the physical transfer of pollen to the stigma; fertilization is the union of sperm nuclei with egg nuclei inside the ovule.

What structures are indicated in this dissected iris flower?

Lobe of stigma, style, ovary, ovule, and locule.

What structure and phylum are shown in this microscopic slide section of a cone?

Female cone of a gymnosperm (Phylum Coniferophyta), displaying megasporophylls and ovules.

What structure is identified on this longitudinal section of a gymnosperm male cone?

A microsporophyll of a male cone (Phylum Coniferophyta).

What are structures A, B, C, D, and E in this Lilium ovary cross section?

A = Female gametophyte, B = Ovule, C = Locule, D = Placenta, E = Dissepiment.

What two primary components of a male stamen are labeled in this cross-section slide?

The filament and pollen sacs.

To which floral organs may stamen filaments be attached depending on species?

To the receptacle, to the petals, or to the pistil.

Which dissecting tool is used to gently tease ovules out of an ovary's locule?

A dissecting needle.

Which structure inside a mature fruit contains the plant embryo?

The seed (which developed from the ovule).