Spark
Loading...

Microscopy, Dichotomous Keys, and Botanical Terminology

Carefully consult the applicable license(s) before pursuing such effects. Instructors can adopt existing LibreTexts texts or Remix them to quickly build course-specific resources to meet the needs of their students. Unlike traditional textbooks, LibreTexts' web based origins allow powerful integration of advanced features and new technologies to support learning. LibreTexts is the adaptable, user-friendly non-profit open education resource platform that educators trust for creating, customizing, and sharing accessible, interactive textbooks, adaptive homework, and ancillary materials. We collaborate with individuals and organizations to champion open education initiatives, support institutional publishing programs, drive curriculum development projects, and more.

Figures (9)

Structure of a plant cell
Cross section of a leaf showing various plant cell types
Diagram of the anatomy of a plant with labels of structural parts of the plants and the roots. 1. Shoot system. 2. Root system. 3. Hypocotyl. 4. Terminal bud. 5. Leaf blade. 6. Internode. 7. Axillary bud. 8. Petiole. 9. Stem. 10. Node. 11. Tap root. 12. Root hairs. 13. Root tip. 14. Root cap
cells of Arabidopsis thaliana epidermis
This is an electron micrograph of the epidermal cells of a Brassica chinensis leaf. The stomates are also visible.
Vascular tissue of a gooseberry (left) and a vine branch (right) from Grew's Anatomy of Plants
Root tip
Chloroplasts in leaf cells of the moss Mnium stellare
Nehemiah Grew, Father of Plant Anatomy

Key Points

  • The cell wall is flexible during growth and has small pores called plasmodesmata that allow the exchange of nutrients and hormones between cells.
  • Plant cells, in turn, have three genomes, and chloroplast genome is usually also inherited maternally.
  • The companion cells, connected to the sieve tubes via plasmodesmata, are responsible for loading the phloem with sugars.
  • Root cap is responsible for the geotropic growth, if the root tip comes into contact with a barrier, root cap will feel it and will grow on a different direction to go around it.
  • Xylem elements, except for the parenchyma, are rich in lignin and are main components of wood.
  • Phloem is a specialised tissue for food transport in higher plants, mainly transporting sucrose along pressure gradients generated by osmosis, a process called translocation.

Terms

Tap a term for a plain-language explanation.

Sources & licensing(4)