THE STRUCTURE AND ANATOMY OF PLANTS

ROOTS, STEMS, AND LEAVESIAFNR Plant and Soil Sciences Module

TAXONOMIC PROCESS AND RANKS

Kingdom-Highest Classification Ranking (5) Plantae-Plants Animalia-Animals Monera-Bacteria and Blue-

Green Algae Protista-All other Algae and

Protozoans Mycota-Fungi

Phylum-Second Classification Ranking Plantae- Phylums are

unranked Classified by reproductive

structure and Vascular structure

Class- Third Classification Ranking Specific to plant structure

and presence of/ kinds of seeds

Image retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wik

i/Biological_classification

SUBKINGDOMS

Thallobionta Contains plants lacking

True roots Stems Leaves

Composed of 10 divisions of algae and fungi

Algae and Fungi no longer classified in Plantae Kingdom

Embryobionta Composed of two groups

Bryophyta Vascular Plants

BRYOPHYTES

Non-Vascular Plants Simple structure Lack true roots, stems, and leaves

Found in moist places or in water

Liverworts and mosses (see photo)

Image retrieved from: http://www.hiddenforest.co.nz/bryophytes/liverworts/leafy/trichocoleaceae/trich01.htm

VASCULAR PLANTS

Plants have true roots, stems, and leaves

Established vascular system Xylem and phloem

Contains 7 divisions 3 represented by very few species 1 extinct

Only known in fossils Polpodiophyta-Ferns Pinophyta-Gymnosperms Magnoliophyta-Angiosperms

Image retrieved from: http://emhsbot-zoo.wikispaces.com/Plants

Image retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vascular_tissue

This is the basic structure

of plants

Image retrieved from: http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/biocoach/plants/basic.html

ROOTS

Functions Anchor plant Absorb water and minerals from

the soil Food Storage

Root Systems consist of Primary Root

Grows from the embryo Secondary Root

Branches of the primary roots Often fibrous Become permanent roots of most

monocotyledons Root Hairs

Special cell extensions at tip of roots

Absorbs water and minerals

Image retrieved from: http://etc.usf.edu/leo/roots/

ROOTS

Examples of Root Systems

Taproot Storage Taproot Fibrous Root

Image retrieved from: http://www.ekshiksha.org.in/eContent-Show.do?documentId=210

Image retrieved from: http://www.ekshiksha.org.in/eContent-Show.do?documentId=210

Image retrieved from: http://www.parentscanada.com/health/nutrition-how-does-your-produce-grow

STEMS

Form the above-ground structure for plants

Attachment for leaves, flowers, and fruits

Contain Vascular system of plant Made up of Xylem and Phloem Differ in Monocots and Dicots

Bears leaves and buds Nodes-point on Stem where leaf is or

was attached Area between nodes are internodes

Image retrieved from: http://crescentok.com/staff/jaskew/ISR/botzo/botanyintro.htm

LEAVES

Main function is to make food and other chemicals for the plant

Parts of complete leaves Blade-broad, thin part of the

leaf Petiole-narrow, cylindrical part Stipule-small, leaf-like

attachments Not all leaves have stipules

Parts of grass leaves Blade Sheath-at the base of the

blade surrounding the stem

Ligule-a collar-like piece at the base of the blade and top of the sheath

Auricles-surrounds the stem at the junction of the blade and sheath Image retrieved from:

http://www.hdwallpapers.in/tag/leaves.html

Image retrieved from: http://vintage-royalty-free-images.com/beautiful-leaves-folded-leaved-panic-grass-p-670.html

LEAVES

Simple Compound

Image retrieved from:https://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/herbarium/trees/simple_compound_leaves01.htm

REFERENCES

Parker, R. (2010). Plant and Soil Science: Fundamentals and Applications. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar.

Plant Stem photos:

1) Image retrieved from: http://m.bonnieplants.com/varieties/tabid/61/id/217/Gerbera-Daisy.aspx

2) Image retrieved from: http://www.newswise.com/articles/early-season-light-quality-affects-corn-growth-and-yield

3) Image retrieved from: