Plants

Subdecks (1)

Cards (268)

  • Basic Principles:
    • Photosynthesis requires: light, CO2, H2O
    • Growth requires: N, P, K, Mg, and other nutrients
    • Plant structure is dynamic
    • Indeterminate growth: continues to grow with the right conditions
    • Phenotypic plasticity: influenced by their environment
  • Shoot system:
    • Mostly above ground
    • Role: to absorb sunlight, gas exchange, reproduction
  • Root system:
    • Below ground
    • Role: anchor plant, absorb H2O and nutrients, store energy, symbiotic relationships (fungi, bacteria)
  • Roots:
    • Tap root --) eudicot plants
    • Fibrous roots --) monocot plants
    • Phenotypic plasticity --) grow deeper in drier soil
    • Longer roots --) plant is more likely to continue growing in a drought
  • Modified roots:
    • Anchor roots
    • Prop roots
    • Pheumatophores
    • Storage roots
  • Anchor roots:
    • Function: stem to walls and other plants
    • Example: ivy
  • Prop roots:
    • Function: stabilize the stem
    • Example: corn
  • Pneumatophores:
    • Function: allows gas exchange by emerging out of water
    • Example: Mangrove tree
  • Storage roots:
    • Function: store carbohydrates and other nutrients for future use
    • Example: Sugar beet
  • Shoots/Stems:
    • Grow taller to access light
    • Dry + windy environment --) shorter plant
    • Modified shoots/stems:
    • Water-storage structures
    • Stolons
    • Rhizomes
    • Tubers
    • Thorns
  • Water-storage structures (shoots/stems):
    • Function: stems store water in dry environments
    • Example: cactus
  • Stolons:
    • Functions:
    • Horizontal runner (growth)
    • Adventitious roots + leaves
    • Produces new individuals at nodes above ground
    • Example: strawberry plant
  • Rhizomes:
    • Functions:
    • Horizontal stems
    • Asexual reproduction
    • Produces new individuals at nodes belowground
    • Stores carbohydrates
  • Tubers:
    • Functions:
    • Underground stem
    • Store carbohydrates
    • Example: potatoes
  • Thorns:
    • Function: provide protection from herbivores
  • Simple leaf: petiole and single blade
  • Compound leaf: blade is divided into leaflets
  • Double compound leaf: large, but rarely damaged by wind or rain
  • Needle-like leaf: characteristic of species adapted to cold or hot, minimizes water loss by transpiration and wind
  • Larger surface area of leaf maximizes light capture
  • Smaller surface area of leaf minimizes water loss
  • Modified Leaves:
    • Bulbs
    • Suculent leaves
    • Tendrils
    • Floral mimics
    • Traps
  • Bulbs:
    • Functions:
    • Stores food
    • Underground (no light --) no chlorophyll)
    • Example: onions
  • Succulent leaves:
    • Function: stores water
    • Example: aloe vera
  • Tendrils:
    • Function: aids in climbing/movement
    • Example: pea tendrils
  • Floral mimics:
    • Function: attracts pollinators
    • Example: red poinsettia
  • Traps:
    • Functions:
    • Hood discourages bugs from flying out
    • Digestive enzymes/bacteria digest
    • Example: pitcher plant
  • Cellulose:
    • Most abundant compound on Earth
    • Humans can't digest it (we don't have the enzyme for it)
    • Some animals have symbiotic relationships with microbes that can digest cellulose
  • Amylase breaks 1-4 glycosidic bonds, but it can't break down cellulose
  • The Plant Cell Componants:
    • Middle lamella
    • Primary wall
    • Secondary wall
    • Simple pits
    • Plasmodesmata
  • Middle lamella: pectin glues cells together to form tissues and organs
  • Primary wall:
    • Create first
    • Made of cellulose
    • Resists internal pressure
    • Allows plants to stay upright
    • Prevents cells from lysing
  • Secondary wall:
    • Only in specialized cells (xylem)
    • Thick and made of cellulose and lignin (cross-linked polyphenols)
    • Provides strength
    • Important for water transport
  • Simple Pits:
    • Thin areas of secondary wall that connects adjacent cells
    • Allows movement of fluids between cells
  • Plasmodesmata:
    • Smaller channels in cell wall
    • Allows movement of small molecules
  • Plastids:
    • Chloroplasts
    • Amyloplasts
    • Chromoplasts
  • Chloroplasts: photosynthesis and gas exchange
  • Amyloplasts: roots and carbohydrate storage
  • Chromoplasts: attracts pollinators, in fruits and flowers
  • Tissue Systems:
    • Simple tissues: single cell type
    • Complex tissues: > 1 cell type