Plant AnatomySystems and Tissues

Plant Structure

Root and shoot systems are made up of basic plant organs: roots,

leaves, stems, flowers.

Root system

• What are the major functions of roots?

Shoot system functions

• What are some of the major functions performed by the shoot system?

Structure is used in classification

• Two main categories of flowering plants: monocots and dicots

• The two groups are distinguished on the basis of flower parts, leaf veins, and other structural features.

FlowersMonocots:

flower parts in 3’s

Dicots: flower parts in 4’s, 5’s,

6’s

LeavesMonocots:

parallel veins in leaves

Dicots: network of veins in the leaves

RootsMonocots: fibrous

root system with no main tap root.

Dicots: Main tap root, with smaller

side roots branching off.

SeedsMonocots: single

cotyledon; endosperm and cotyledon are

separate

Dicots: two cotyledons;

endosperm is contained in the

cotyledon.

This flower is probably a:

1 2

50%50%

1. Monocot2. Dicot

This flower is probably a:

1 2

50%50%

1. Monocot2. Dicot

This flower is probably a:

1 2

50%50%

1. Monocot2. Dicot

• If you’re asked to distinguish between monocots and dicots, which plant parts would make this task easiest?

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Plant Tissues

•Dermal tissue•Ground tissue•Vascular tissue

Copy this table:

Primary tissue type

Sub-types Structure Functions

DermalEpidermis

Periderm

Ground

Parenchyma

Collenchyma

Sclerenchyma

VascularXylem

Phloem

Dermal tissue: Epidermis

• How is an epidermis of a plant similar to your epidermis?

• What does the epidermis do?

• What features do you see in these cells?

Dermal tissue: Periderm• How is the

periderm like the layer of dead skin cells on human skin?

• What does the periderm do?

• What features do you see in these cells?

Ground tissue: Parenchyma

• What can you see in these parenchyma cells?

• What are some functions of parenchyma cells?

Ground Tissue: Collenchyma• How might

support cells be different from other plant cells?

• Plants don’t have a skeletal system as humans do. What holds a plant up?

• What features do you see in these cells?

Ground tissue: Sclerenchyma• How are these

thick-walled cells different from collenchyma cells?

• What features do you see in these cells?

• Sclerenchyma cells are dead at maturity. Why might that be?

Vascular tissue: Xylem

• Xylem tissue moves water. What features would the cells need to carry out this function?

• What features do you see in these cells?

Vascular tissue: Phloem• Phloem tissue

moves sap, which is sugar dissolved in water. What features would the cells need to carry out this function?

• What features do you see in these cells?

Wood contains cells that are dead at maturity. They must

be:

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%

1. Phloem2. Xylem3. Parenchyma4. Collenchyma

Potatoes are tubers (modified stems) that store starch. Most of a potato’s tissue

must be:

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%

1. Sclerenchyma2. Collenchyma3. Parenchyma4. Vascular tissue

• Linen thread for weaving fabric is spun from bast fibers that come from the stem of the flax plant. Bast fibers are long, tough, and strong. Which plant tissue type are they most likely made up of?

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