Plants Structure and Function All Plants Share What

Plants Structure and Function

All Plants Share What Characteristics? �Eukaryotic �Multicellular �Autotrophic (photosynthetic) ◦ contain chloroplasts �Do not move around freely �Cell walls made of cellulose

The Body Parts of a Plant (called ORGANS just like in us!) What do you think each of these 4 plant organs DOES for the plant?

Roots A single tap root with hairs Magnified Root Hairs (increase surface area for absorption) Fibrous Roots The three functions of roots are 1. absorb dissolved nutrients and water from the soil 2. anchor the plant 3. store food The root cap protects the place where the roots are GROWING!

Stems • The functions of stems are v to support the plant v connect the roots and the leaves v transport water, minerals, and glucose up and down the stem to where they are needed.

Leaves The major functions of the leaf are: v capture as much light energy as possible v take in CO 2 /release O 2 v to make food (glucose) through photosynthesis. v Transpiration (evaporation of water from leaves)

4 Plant Tissues 1. 2. 3. 4. Dermal Meristematic Vascular Ground Dermal tissue – light blue Ground tissue – yellow Vascular tissue - purple

1. Dermal Tissue � Thick, waxy, tough � Protects the outside of the plant from damage and protects it from water loss � Found along the outer surface of the plantcalled the epidermis ◦ Waxy covering called the cuticle.

What is this like in humans?

2. Meristematic Tissue A plant continues to GROW as long as it lives because plants have meristems. These are the only places where cells continually divide, generating new cells. One example of a meristem is a Root meristem, located at the tips of the roots, and the shoot apical meristem in the buds of shoots. They provide elongation of the plant down into the soil and up into the air (growth). Growth in length of roots is concentrated near the root’s tip. The root tip is protected by a root cap, which secretes a substance that helps digest the earth as the root tip grows through the soil.

Apical Dominance • A plant bud is an apical meristem that can produce new stems and leaves. • Due to apical dominance, the closer the bud is to the stem‘s tip, the more its growth is inhibited. • When the dominant apical meristem is destroyed, the bud is activated and causes branching.

Lateral Meristem Vascular Cambium (in the stem) causes plants to grow wider by adding vascular tissue.

Three Types of Meristem Tissue

What is this like in humans? Stem cells! These are cells that are no particular body part that can become any body part that is needed. These cells may remain in a non-dividing phase for long periods of time until they are activated by a normal need for more cells to maintain tissues, or by disease, or tissue injury.

3. Vascular Tissue �A system of hollow tubes, like a pipeline �Transports water and nutrients through roots, stems and leaves and glucose throughout the plant. � 2 types of vascular tubes: ◦ Xylem transports water ◦ Phloem transports sugars (food) Purple

Vascular Cambium is meristem (cells that divide) that makes the vascular tissue of the plant: Xylem (water transport) and Phloem (sugar transport)

What is this like in humans?

4. Ground Tissue YELLOW Cells that lie between dermal and vascular tissues. Three types of ground tissue: ◦ Storage of sugar in roots and fruits ◦ Supports the plant— thick, rigid, structural ◦ Site of photosynthesis in the leaves �The photosynthetic cells are called parenchyma.

What is this like in humans? Adipose tissue stores fat