Vascular PlantsRoots, Shoots & Leaves

Vascular Plants

Divided into three major groups:Seedless vascular plants: Ferns, Club moss, horsetails etc.

Seed vascular plants: Gymnosperms: Conifers, Ginko, Cycads

Angiosperms: Flowering plants

Vascular Plants

Contain vascular tissue (xylem and phloem)to transport water and nutrients around plant

Sporophyte generation dominant

Well adapted to life in terrestrial environment

True roots, stems and leaves

Meristem

Perpetually embryonic tissue

Unspecialized cells divide & specialize to generate plant growth

Apical Meristem: Tips of roots and shoots

Grow in length (PRIMARY GROWTH)

Found in both woody and herbaceous plants

Lateral Meristem (Cambium):Cylinder of dividing cells found along length of roots and stems

Growth in width (SECONDARY GROWTH)

Replace epidermis with thick tough layer, combined with secondary xylem to form wood

Vascular Tissue

Arranged in bundles in stems, roots and leaf veins

Phloem:Conducts the products of photosynthesis from the leaves to the rest of the plant

Living cells arranged in sieve tubes with sieve plates to deliver materials and communicate with neighbouring cells

Vascular Tissue

Xylem:Conducts water up from the roots to the leaves

Cells are dead at maturity and are highly permeable to water

Tubes called tracheids or vessels

Water moves by evapotranspiration

Secondary xylem thickens/hardens to form wood

Roots

Functions:Attachment & support

Absorption of water and nutrients from the soil

Storage

Types:FibrousTap root

Roots

Leaves

Primary site of photosynthesis

Potential for loss of water due to large surface area and high rate of gas exchange

Specializations:Stomata

Guard Cells

Epidermis

Parenchyma

Stomata/ stoma

Regulates gas and water exchange

Guard cells

Regulates the opening and closing of the stomata

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The epidermis forms the waxy cuticle which prevents water loss

Parenchyma tissue that heals wounds, regenerates plant parts, photosynthesis, food and water storage

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