Plant Biology Review Flashcards

Flashcards to review key concepts in plant biology, including adaptations, tissues, and reproduction.

Cuticle

A waxy or fatty protective layer covering the epidermis of many plant parts.
* Primarily composed of cutin, it's nearly impermeable to water and gases.
* Functions include minimizing water loss, protecting against damage, preventing pathogen entry, and blocking UV radiation.

Stomata

Microscopic pores in the epidermis of leaves, stems, and other plant organs, bordered by guard cells.
* Regulate gas exchange, allowing carbon dioxide uptake for photosynthesis and releasing oxygen.
* Guard cells control the opening and closing of stomata in response to environmental cues.

Vascular Tissues

Specialized plant tissues for efficient transport of water, minerals, and organic compounds.
* Xylem transports water and minerals from roots to aerial parts.
* Phloem transports sugars and nutrients from source tissues to sink tissues.
* Plants with vascular tissues are vascular plants; those lacking them are nonvascular.

Seed

A mature ovule containing an embryo, food reserve, and protective seed coat.
* Primary means of reproduction and dispersal in seed plants.
* Enables plants to survive unfavorable conditions and colonize new habitats.
* Upon germination, the embryo develops into a seedling.

Parenchyma Cells

Abundant and versatile plant cells with thin, flexible cell walls and large vacuoles.
* Involved in photosynthesis, storage of water and nutrients, gas exchange, and tissue repair.
* Found throughout the plant body, forming ground tissue in leaves, stems, roots, and fruits.
* Living at maturity and can divide and differentiate.

Collenchyma Cells

Elongated plant cells with unevenly thickened cell walls, providing flexible support.
* Commonly found beneath the epidermis in young stems, petioles, and leaf veins.
* Living at maturity and can stretch and elongate as the plant grows.
* Allow plants to withstand bending and twisting forces without breaking.

Sclerenchyma Cells

Plant cells with thick, rigid cell walls that provide structural support and protection.
* Often dead at maturity, with heavily lignified cell walls.
* Found in various plant tissues, contributing to the plant's strength and rigidity.

Meristematic Tissue

Plant tissue consisting of undifferentiated cells capable of rapid cell division and differentiation.
* Gives rise to new cells that develop into specialized tissues and organs.
* Located in specific regions, such as apical meristems and lateral buds.

Apical Meristems

Meristematic tissues located at the tips of roots and stems.
* Responsible for primary growth, which increases the length of the plant.
* Contain actively dividing cells that give rise to primary tissues.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of cells covering the plant body.
* Provides protection against environmental stresses.
* Epidermal cells are flattened and closely packed, forming a continuous barrier.
* May contain specialized structures such as stomata, trichomes, and cuticle.

Xylem

Complex vascular tissue responsible for the long-distance transport of water and minerals.
* Consists of tracheids and vessel elements, which are dead at maturity and form interconnected tubes.
* Walls of xylem cells are reinforced with lignin.

Phloem

Complex vascular tissue responsible for the transport of sugars and other organic nutrients.
* Consists of sieve tube elements and companion cells.
* Sieve tube elements are living cells connected end-to-end, while companion cells provide metabolic support.

Ground Tissue

The bulk of the plant body, filling spaces between the epidermis and vascular tissue.
* Consists of parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma cells.
* Performs various roles, including photosynthesis, storage, support, and tissue repair.

Roots

Underground plant organs that anchor the plant and absorb water and nutrients.
* Provide support against gravity, wind, and other external forces.
* May be specialized for various functions, such as storage and symbiotic associations.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose).
* Occurs in chloroplasts, which contain chlorophyll.
* Carbon dioxide and water are used to produce glucose and oxygen, with light as the energy source.

Asexual Reproduction

A mode of reproduction in which new plants are produced from vegetative parts of a single parent plant.
* Offspring are genetically identical to the parent plant (clones).
* Allows plants to rapidly colonize new environments and bypass the need for pollination.

Fleshy Fruits

Fruits characterized by a soft, pul