What In This Unit
What makes plant cells work? What’s the difference between plant and
animal cells What’s inside of plants cells The breakdown of Stems, Roots, Leaves
and Flowers
For cells in a plant to multiply or enlarge a plant must have the following:
Carbon dioxide, water, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements.
Plants & Animals
There are basically two differences between plants and animals.
Plant have the ability to make their own food.
Plant cells consist of the following:
Cell Wall: non-continuous structure surrounding the plasma membrane
Vacuole: cavity in the cytoplasm filled with cell water
Cytoplasm: total protoplasm in the cell except the cell nucleus
Mitochondrion: breaks down compounds for the cell
Plant Tissue Systems
Meristematic Tissue: This is growth tissue where cell division and enlargement occur and is found near the tips of roots and stem buds.
Simple Tissues
Epidermal tissue: This tissue is one-cell thick and forms the outer layer of flowers, leaves, and many types of fruits.
Parenchyma tissue: This tissue comprises the fleshy part of fruits, roots, and tubers.
Its ,main function is to store food and water.
Complex Tissue
Xylem tissue: This tissue is called “wood” in vascular plants.
Its principal functions are to conduct water and support the plant
Phloem tissue: This tissue also conducts material in the plant and gives the plant support.
Its main function is to transfer food from the leaves to other parts of the plant
The Plant Roots
The function of the plant’s roots are to absorb nutrients and water from the soil and to anchor the plant.
The root system can makeup 50% of a plants weight.
There are two types of root systems soilless roots which include aerial (ivy), and aquatic(water lily).
Soilborne roots are classified into tap and fibrous roots.
Tap roots are those roots which have a long main root such as a carrot or pine tree.
Fibrous roots spread out such as grass
Parts of the Root
At the tip is the roots cap, where cell division occurs and it pushes down into the soil.
Root hairs are used to help take in nutrients
The Plant Stem
The major function of the stem is to join the root and leaf systems.
Some photosynthesis also takes place in the stem.
Parts of the Stem
Node- jointed part of the stem on which leaf or flower buds develop
Internode- major part of the stem between the nodes.
Axillary Bud- bud found at the leaf axil from which flowers and branches arise.
Terminal Bud- tip or end of the shoot were growth takes place.
Woody Stems
Outerbark- protects the interior of the plant from insects and diseases and excessive heat and cold.
Innerbark- carries food manufactured in leaves to the branches, trunk, and roots
Cambium- layer of cells between the bark and wood where growth is diameter occur and the formation of annual rings.
Sapwood(xylem)- carries sap from the roots to the leaves
Heartwood- is inactive sapwood which is darker in color and gives strength to the plant
Leaves
Leaves are the food factory of the plant producing all food that is used by the plant and stored for later use by the plant or by an animal.
Leaves vary in shape and size; with most of them being flat
The arrangement of the leaves differ alternate, opposite, whorled,
External Leaf Structures
The petiole is the stalk that attaches the leaf to the stem
The blade which is the flat part of the leaf The midrib which is the large center vein
from which all veins extend The margins which are the edges of the leaf
Internal Leaf Structures
The skin of the leaf is called the epidermis which is a single layer of cells. The epidermis provides protection from water loss.
The guard cells open and close a small space or pore on the underside of the leaf called the stoma
The stoma allows the plant to transpire. This gives off moisture and exchange of gases.
In the inner part of the leaf are the chloroplast. The chloroplast are filled with chlorophyll which give the leaf it’s green color.
With the use of chlorophyll , minerals, sugars sunlight and carbon dioxide the plant goes through photosynthesis
The formula for photosynthesis is the following:
6CO2 + 6 H2O + 672 Kcals (light energy) = C6H12O6 (Glucose) + O2
Flower
The purpose of the flower is the reproduction of the plant. This can be done through fruits and seed.
The reason flowers are colorful is to attract insects for pollination
Parts of the Flower
The sepals are the green leaflike part of the flower located at the base and are used to protect the flower bud.
The petals are actually leaves and are the most striking part of the flower
The stamen makes up the male reproductive part of the plant. This includes the anther which holds the pollen. The filament is the slender stalk that holds the anther
The pistil is the female reproductive part of the flower. This includes the stigma which is sticky and catches the pollen, the style which is a long tube that carries to the ovary, the ovary is where the egg is produced.