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Topic 9: Plant Science. 9.1 Plant Structure & Growth. Plan diagram: STEM of dicotyledon. Distribution of tissues in a stem. Differences: monocotyledonous vs. dicotyledonous plants. Distribution of tissues in a leaf. Relationship between tissue distribution in a leaf and function.
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Topic 9: Plant Science 9.1 Plant Structure & Growth
Relationship between tissue distribution in a leaf and function • Palisade cells contain lots of chloroplasts for absorbing light. • Palisade cells arranged “end-on” to ensure each cell receives maximum strength light. • No chloroplasts in upper epidermis to ensure light reaches palisade layer. • Chloroplasts present in spongy mesophyll cells to ‘mop up’ any unused light.
Relationship between tissue distribution in a leaf and function • Waxy cuticle to prevent water loss from epidermal cells by evaporation. • Air spaces in spongy mesophyll layer to ensure adequate supply of CO2 to photosynthesizing cells and ease of removal of O2. • Stomata located on leaf lower surface to allow gases in and out of leaf. • Presence of vascular bundle to supply water from roots and method for removal of products of photosynthesis.
Modifications of roots, stems, leaves for different functions • Bulbs – these are underground storage structures that contain reserves of nutrients to ensure survival. • Fleshy leaf bases closely packed on a short stem. • Eg. onion, garlic
Modifications contd. • Stem tubers – swollen tip of rhizome or underground stem • Storage of carbohydrate for growth of new plants • Eg. potato
Modifications contd. • Storage roots – these contain stores of carbohydrate for the plant to use later. • They are usually swollen tap roots (primary roots) • Eg. carrot, sweet potato
Modifications contd. • Tendrils – slender stem-like structure to wrap around or hook a support. • Sensitive to touch, so faster growth on the opposite side occurs. • Eg. vine, ivy
Apical v Lateral Meristems • Dicotyledonous plants have apical (primary) and lateral (cambium) meristems. • Meristems generate new cells for growth of the plant. • Apical meristems found at the tips of stems and roots increase the length of these sections. • Stems and roots may also grow in thickness or in diameter through cell divisions in lateral, or secondary, meristems, found just under the surface along the length of the stem or root.
Phototropism • Phototropism is generally described as a plant's response to light. • There are two kinds of phototropism: positive phototropism, or the growth of a plant stem towards light, and negative phototropism, or the growth of a plant's roots away from light. • Phototropic responses are caused by auxins, which modify cell walls.
More on phototropism • Auxins concentrate on the side of a plant stem away from light, in order to stretch rigid plant cell walls into growth toward light. • Auxin is produced in the tips of shoots and roots.
Yet more on phototropism • Auxin acts as a growth promoter, possibly by causing H+ ions to be secreted into cell walls. • This causes a loosening of the connections between cellulose fibres, allowing cell expansion.
http://www.biology-online.org/3/7_meristems.htm • http://www.biology-online.org/3/5_plant_hormones.htm