Kingdom Plantae Notes

Kingdom Plantae

Parts of a Plant (Angiosperms)

  • Flower: Reproductive structure, typically located at the terminal bud.

  • Terminal Bud: Located at the tip of a stem or branch.

  • Stem: Connects leaves and roots; supports the plant.

  • Leaf: Primary site of photosynthesis; emerges from lateral buds at nodes.

  • Lateral Bud: Located at nodes, gives rise to branches or leaves.

  • Node: Point on a stem where leaves or branches emerge.

  • Internode: Region of the stem between two nodes.

  • Root: Anchors the plant and absorbs water and nutrients.

  • Root Hairs: Increase the surface area of roots for absorption.

Plant Parts and Functions

  • Leaves: Photosynthesis (above ground) and sugar storage (below ground).

  • Stems and Branches: Connect leaves and roots, support the plant (above ground), and store sugars (below ground).

  • Flowers: Reproductive structures; attract pollinators (above ground).

  • Fruits: Seed dispersal; attract animal dispersers (above ground).

  • Roots: Anchorage, absorption of water and nutrients, and sugar storage (primarily below ground).

Leaves

  • Located above or below ground.

    • Above ground: Primary purpose is photosynthesis.

    • Below ground: Modified for storage of sugars.

  • All leaves have vasculature (veins).

  • Developing leaves emerge from the stems at lateral buds, which occur at nodes.

Stems and Branches

  • Located either above or below ground.

  • Consist of nodes and internodes (where lateral buds give rise to branches/leaves).

  • Purpose of the stem is to connect leaves and roots and support the above-ground part of the plant so leaves can capture sunlight.

  • Underground stems have been modified for storage of sugars.

Flowers

  • Located above ground.

  • They are the reproductive structures of the plant designed to attract pollinators.

  • Usually attached to the terminal ends of branches.

Fruits

  • Located above ground.

  • They are the reproductive structures of the plant designed for seed dispersal.

    • Plants attract animal dispersers by making fruit sweet and colorful.

  • Fruits are defined by the presence of seeds.

Roots

  • Located primarily below ground.

  • Main functions are for anchorage and absorption of water and nutrients; can also be used for storage of sugars (taproots).

  • Easy to confuse underground stems with roots; remember, roots do not have nodes/internodes.

Bellwork

Leaves are part of a plant's shoot system. The xylem tissue in leaves transports
A the bacteria needed for nitrogen fixation in root nodules
B the wax required to coat the surface of actively growing tissue
C the water and minerals that are absorbed by the roots
D the oxygen that regulates the rate of carbohydrate production

  • Correct answer: C