Water Transport and Plant Structure Overview, Plant Structure and Function: Tissues and Organs

What process allows water to move into the vascular cylinder of a plant?

Osmosis.

What happens to water and minerals once they pass through the endodermis?

They are trapped in the vascular cylinder due to the Casparian strip.

What is root pressure?

The pressure that pushes water upward through the root into the stem.

What is the major force driving water transport in plants?

Transpiration.

What is transpiration?

The loss of water from leaves.

What are the two properties of water that facilitate transpiration?

Cohesion and adhesion.

What is cohesion in the context of water?

The sticking together of molecules of the same kind.

What is adhesion in the context of water?

The sticking together of molecules of different kinds.

What happens to leaves if soil dries out or transpiration exceeds water delivery?

The leaves will wilt.

What do plants do in cold climates regarding food storage?

Plants pump food into their roots for winter storage.

What is the main function of phloem?

To transport a sugar solution called phloem sap.

What is phloem sap?

A sugar solution produced by photosynthesis.

What is a sugar source in plants?

Any part of the plant that produces sugar by photosynthesis.

What is a sugar sink?

Any part of the plant that consumes or stores sugar.

What distinguishes monocots from dicots in terms of cotyledons?

Monocots have one cotyledon, while dicots have two cotyledons.

How do monocot leaves typically appear?

Long, narrow, and with parallel venation.

How do dicot leaves typically appear?

Broader with reticulate venation.

What is the primary root, or radicle?

The part of the seed that grows downward into the soil, anchoring the seedling.

What is the plumule in a plant embryo?

The part that emerges from the seed and develops into the shoot.

How do dicot flowers differ from monocot flowers in terms of flower parts?

Dicot flowers have parts in fours and fives or their multiples, while monocots have parts in threes or multiples of threes.

What are plants made of?

Plants are multicellular organisms made of many cells that have a nucleus (eukaryotes).

What are the main organs of a plant?

Roots, stems, and leaves.

What is the function of roots in plants?

Roots hold the plant in place and absorb water and nutrients.

What is the role of stems in plants?

Stems support the plant and help move water, food, and nutrients.

What is the primary function of leaves in plants?

plant makes its food through photosynthesis and exchanges gases.

What are the three types of plant tissues?

Dermal tissue, vascular tissue, and ground tissue.

What is dermal tissue in plants?

The outer layer of the plant that acts as a protective barrier.

What is the cuticle in plants?

A waxy coating that covers the outer surface of the plant, protecting against water loss and injuries.

What are trichomes?

Tiny hairs on plants that protect the leaf and can make it look fuzzy.

What are stomata?

Small openings in leaves that allow carbon dioxide in and oxygen out.

What is the function of guard cells?

Guard cells open and close the stomata to control water loss.

What is vascular tissue in plants?

The system that moves water, food, and nutrients through the plant.

What is the function of xylem?

Xylem carries water from the roots up to the rest of the plant.

What are tracheids?

Long, hollow, dead cells in xylem with thick walls that allow water to pass between them.

What is the function of phloem?

Phloem carries food (sugar) made by photosynthesis to other parts of the plant.

What are companion cells?

Cells that help sieve tube elements in phloem perform their function.

What is ground tissue in plants?

Tissue found between dermal and vascular tissue that helps with photosynthesis, storage, and support.

What are the three main types of ground tissue?

Parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma.

What is the function of parenchyma?

Parenchyma performs photosynthesis in leaves and stores food in roots.

What is the role of collenchyma?

Collenchyma supports growing parts like young stems and leaves.

What is sclerenchyma?

Sclerenchyma provides strong support with dead cells that have thick, tough walls full of lignin.

What are meristems in plants?

Special areas where plants keep growing, containing meristematic tissue that can divide to make new cells.

What are the two types of meristems?

Apical meristems (at tips of roots and stems) and lateral meristems (make the plant thicker).

What are the functions of roots?

Roots hold the plant in the ground, take in water and nutrients, and store food.

What are the two types of roots?

Taproots (one large main root) and fibrous roots (many thin roots).

How do transport proteins in root cells function?

They use energy (ATP) to pull in mineral ions, and water follows the ions by osmosis.

What is the Casparian strip?

A waterproof barrier in the endodermis of roots that ensures water and minerals enter the vascular tissue.

What are plasmodesmata?

Tiny channels that allow water and nutrients to move between plant cells.

Where does photosynthesis occur in leaves?

In the mesophyll, specifically in the palisade and spongy mesophyll.

What is the difference between palisade mesophyll and spongy mesophyll?

Palisade mesophyll consists of tightly packed cells that absorb light, while spongy mesophyll has loosely packed cells with air spaces for gas movement.