Investigating Plant Structure and Function Guide

Investigating Plant Structure and Function

Visual Learning Company1-800-453-8481 www.visuallearningco.com

Instructor’s

Manual

BIOLOGY

Editors: Brian A. Jerome Ph.D. Stephanie Zak Jerome

Assistant Editors: Louise MarrierLyndsey CanfieldHeidi Berry

Reviewers: Stephen Trombulak Ph.D.Professor of BiologyMiddlebury College

Graphics: Fred ThodalDean Ladago

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The purchase of this video program entitles the user the right to reproduce or duplicate, in whole or in part, this instructor’s manual and the black line master handouts for the purpose of teaching in conjunction with this video, Investigating Plant Structure and Function. The right is restricted only for use with this video program. Any reproduction or duplication, in whole or in part, of this manual and student masters for any purpose other than for use with this video program is prohibited.

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ISBN 9781592345861

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A Message from our Company .............................

Viewing Clearances ..............................................

Use and Copyright ................................................

Student Learning Objectives ...............................

Assessment .........................................................

Introducing the Program ......................................

Program Viewing Suggestions ..............................

Video Script ...........................................................

Answer Key to Student Assessments ...................

Answer Key to Student Activities ..........................

Preliminary Assessment ....................................... Post Assessement ................................................

Video Review ........................................................

Vocabulary ............................................................

Roots ..................................................................... Inside a Leaf .........................................................

Tree Growth Rings ................................................

Table of Contents





• Understand that plants vary widely in their structures and functions. • List and describe the general function of the following types of plant tissue: meristematic tissue, protective tissue, vascular tissue, and ground tissue.

• Explain that plant growth occurs in areas called meristems found in the growing tips of stems, roots, branches, and other places.

• Describe the function of dermal tissue and explain where it is found in plants.

• Differentiate between the two main types of vascular tissue: xylem and phloem.

• List some of the main functions of roots including the fact they anchor the plant, store food, and absorb water and minerals.

• Compare and contrast the structure of taproots and fibrous roots.

• Sketch and describe the following zones in a plant root: root cap, meristematic zone, elongation zone, and maturation zone.

• List and describe some of the following functions of plant stems: support and display of leaves, transport of materials throughout the plant, and storage of food and water.

• Compare the structure and function of herbaceous stems and woody stems.

• Describe the formation of annual growth rings in some woody-stemmed trees.

• Explain how leaves are designed to carry out photosynthesis in plants.

• Understand that plants emit water vapor through stomata in the process of transpiration.

• Explain that plants transport food, water, gases and other molecules via vascular tissue throughout the plant body.

Upon viewing the video and completing the enclosed activities, students will be able to do the following:

Student Learning Objectives





AssessmentPreliminary Assessment (p. 14-15):The Preliminary Assessment is an assessment tool designed to gain an understanding of students’ preexisting knowledge. It can also be used as a benchmark upon which to assess student progress based on the objectives stated on the previous pages.

Post Assessment (p. 16-17):The Post Assessment can be utilized as an assessment tool following student completion of the program and student activities. The results of the Post Assessment can be compared against the results of the Preliminary Assessment to assess student progress.

Video Review (p. 18):The Video Review can be used as an assessment tool or as a student activity. There are two sections. The first part contains questions displayed during the program. The second part consists of a ten-question video assessment to be answered at the end of the video.





Introducing the Program

Program Viewing SuggestionsThe student master “Video Review” (p. 19) is provided for distribution to students. You may choose to have your students complete this master while viewing the program or do so upon its conclusion.

The program is approximately 20 minutes in length and includes a ten-question video assessment. Answers are not provided to the Video Assessment in the video, but are included in this manual on page 13. You may choose to grade student assessments as an assessment tool or to review the answers in class.

The video is content-rich with numerous vocabulary words. For this reason you may want to periodically stop the video to review and discuss new terminology and concepts.

Before showing the video program to students hold a complete plant (roots, stem, and leaves) up in front of the class. Have a student volunteer identify the root, stem, and leaves of the plant. Write these terms on the board. If possible do the same with a couple of different types of plants.

Next, write the following terms on the board: absorption, photosynthesis, transport, and transpiration. Tell students these are different processes that are carried out in plants. Describe each process and explain why it is important. Explain that some of these processes occur mostly in one part of the plant, and others occur throughout the plant body. Discuss where these specific processes occur in plants.

Just prior to starting the video tell students to pay close attention to learn about some specific ways roots, stems, and leaves are designed and function in plants. Tell students to be prepared to create cross-sectional diagrams of a typical root, stem, and leaf following the video.





Video Script: Investigating Plant Structure and Function

1. The bodies of humans and other vertebrate animals are made up of many different structures.2. These structures, referred to as organs are made up of various types of tissues.3. Organs carry out a wide range of very important functions that enable an organism to grow, process food, reproduce, and carry out other tasks.4. In a somewhat similar way, plants consist of different structures made up of various types of tissues.5. What are some of these plant structures and what tissues are they made of?6. What are the functions of the various plant structures?7. And, how do they help the plant live and survive?8. During the next few minutes we are going to answer these questions and others as we investigate the fascinating topic of plant structure and function.9. Graphic Transition – Organization in Plants

10. As we mentioned, plants are similar to animals in that they are made up of tissues that form structures that carry out specific tasks.11. For instance, plant structures include roots, stems, leaves, and other reproductive parts.12. There are over 300,000 known species of plants, and they vary widely in their structures.13. For example, seedless nonvascular plants lack many of the structures found in seed-producing vascular plants.14. Generally speaking though, plants have fewer types of tissues than animals.15. Some plant tissues are made up of only one type of cell, while other plant tissues are made up of two or more kinds of cells working together.16. The main types of plant tissues are meristematic tissue, protective tissue, vascular tissue, and ground tissue.17. Let’s take a closer look at these various types of plant tissue.18. Graphic Transition – Plant Tissues19. As soon as a seed germinates, it begins to grow.20. Growth results from cells dividing in the process of mitosis.21. Mitosis is continually occurring in special types of plant tissue called meristematic tissue. This growth from mitosis takes place in regions called meristems.22. Meristems are found in the growing tips of stems, roots, branches, and other places in plants.23. Apical meristems are located at the tips of stems and roots.24. During periods of growth the cells of apical meristems undergo mitosis, continually adding more cells to the tips of roots or stems.25. In woody plants, such as trees and shrubs, meristematic tissue is also located in regions referred to as lateral meristems.26. Lateral meristems, also referred to as cambium, enable these plants to grow wider.27. Another type of plant tissue is called dermal tissue. This tissue forms the outer layer on leaves, green stems, and roots.28. One of the main functions of dermal tissue is to protect the plant.29. You Observe! Describe the appearance of this leaf’s surface.30. The surface looks shiny and waxy.





Video Script: Investigating Plant Structure and Function31. Leaves are often covered with a waxy substance called cutin, which helps prevent leaves from drying out.32. On stems, dermal tissue may take the form of spongy cork, or even as green photosynthetic cells.33. Other types of tissues used in producing and storing food, as well as in supporting the plant, are called ground tissues.34. There are three main types of ground tissue. These types of ground tissue have different functions in different parts of the plant.35. Another type of tissue, vascular tissue, is responsible for conducting materials throughout plants.36. There are two main types of vascular tissue: xylem and phloem.37. Xylem is vascular tissue that transports minerals and water in a plant. It also helps support the plant.38. Xylem is primarily made of dead cells with thick cell walls stacked end to end to form a hollow pipe-like structure.39. Phloem is vascular tissue that transports sugar and other dissolved materials produced in the process of photosynthesis.40. Phloem consists of two types of living cells: sieve cells and companion cells.41. Sieve cells are like sieves in that they contain holes that enable dissolved materials to pass through them when stacked end to end in long tubes.42. Companion cells are connected to sieve cells, and are thought to control the transport activities of sieve cells.43. Graphic Transition - Roots44. Whenever you eat carrots, beets, or onions you are eating an important plant structure – a root45. In a typical plant, the root is the part of the plant that grows underground.46. Roots firmly anchor the plant. They also absorb water and minerals.47. In some cases, roots store food.48. It is not uncommon for the root system underground to be as large as the network of stems and branches above ground.49. There are two common types of root systems. This weed has a taproot system which consists of a single main root.50. A fibrous root system, such as that found in grasses, is made up of many hair-like roots.51. This diagram of a typical root tip illustrates a number of different zones involved in the growth of the root.52. The root cap consists of cells that form a protective covering for the cells behind it in the meristematic zone.53. In the meristematic zone, small, thin-walled cells actively divide, forming the basis for cell growth in the root.54. The elongation zone, behind the meristematic zone is the place where cells enlarge, pushing the root forward.





Video Script: Investigating Plant Structure and Function55. Behind the elongation zone is the maturation zone where cells differentiate and develop into specialized cells such as xylem, phloem, and parenchyma.56. A cross-section of the maturation zone illustrates a variety of tissue layers.57. The epidermis is the outermost layer. It takes in water and minerals. Many cells in this layer have hair-like extensions called root hairs.58. Root hairs add tremendous surface area enabling the plant to absorb more water. One plant may have billions of root hairs.59. Inside the epidermis is the cortex. Parenchyma cells of the cortex conduct water to the center of the root. They also store food for the plant mainly in the form of starch.60. At the center of the root are conducting tissues – xylem and phloem.61. Xylem transports water and minerals up the root system to the stem and leaves.62. While phloem transports dissolved food made in the leaves throughout the plant.63. Graphic Transition - Stems64. This fence post, this wooden furniture…65. … and this delicious asparagus are all derived from plant stems.66. You Decide! What are some of the functions of plant stems?67. Plant stems serve several functions. Stems support and display the leaves and reproductive structures of the plant.68. Vascular tissue running through the stem transports water, nutrients, and other dissolved materials throughout the plant.69. In some cases, such as with this suguaro cactus, stems store large quantities of water.70. And, some modified underground stems such as potatoes store food.71. Many green stems carry out photosynthesis.72. Plants are sometimes grouped and described based on their stem structure.73. For example, herbaceous plants, such as these flowers, have soft, green juicy stems.74. Whereas woody plants such as trees have woody stems made of tough, thick tissue.75. In herbaceous stems the tissues develop from cells produced by apical meristems.76. Herbaceous monocot plants, such as corn, differ in their stem structure…77. …from herbaceous dicot plants such as beans.78. Herbaceous monocot and dicot plants differ in the arrangement of vascular tissues in their stems. 79. Xylem carries water and dissolved minerals from the roots to other parts of the plant, including the leaves.80. While phloem transports sugars produced in leaves throughout the plant.81. The stems of woody-stemmed dicots such as those of trees, are much different than those in herbaceous plants.82. Plants with woody stems grow thicker, as a result of new tissue produced by the vascular cambium throughout the life of the plant.83. Vascular cambium is the layer of tissue located between xylem and phloem tissue in woody plants.84. Circular layers of wood increase stem thickness as xylem builds up on the inside of the vascular cambium.





Video Script: Investigating Plant Structure and Function 85. Phloem is produced in round layers on the outside and on the inside of the cambium. 86. The growth of new xylem during each growing season forms annual growth rings seen here on the cross-section of this tree stem. 87. The age of some trees can be estimated by actually counting the growth rings, with each ring

representing one year. 88. These accumulating layers of xylem form wood used in a wide range of products. 89. The outermost layer of a woody plant consists of protective bark. Bark is made up of layers of cork, cork cambium, and secondary phloem. 90. Graphic Transition – Leaves 91. As far as you can see there are trees – covered with millions of green leaves. 92. Leaves are very important plant structures. 93. You Decide! What is the primary function of leaves? 94. Leaves are specifically designed to capture light for photosynthesis. 95. They are the photosynthetic factories of plants. 96. The broad, flat design of leaves exposes a large surface area to incoming rays of the sun. 97. Leaves also play a key role in moving water, food, and gases throughout the plant. 98. Covering the upper and lower surfaces of a leaf is the epidermis. A clear waxy layer called the cuticle is an important feature of the epidermis. 99. The cuticle protects the inner leaf tissues, and it helps slow down water loss.100. The epidermis contains many small openings called stomata. Stomata regulate the movement of carbon dioxide, oxygen gases, and water vapor into and out of the leaf.101. The opening and closing of the stomata are controlled by pairs of specialized cells, called guard cells.102. Between the upper and lower epidermal layers is a layer of photosynthetic tissue called the

mesophyll.103. Much of the photosynthetic activity of the plant occurs here.104. Throughout the mesophyll is a vast network of veins made up of bundles of conducting

vascular tissue.105. The xylem and phloem found in leaf veins are continuous with those in stems and roots.106. Graphic Transition – Transport in Plants107. You Observe! What do you see coming out of the tap in this maple tree?108. This watery fluid is sap. It is gathered and then boiled down to make sweet maple syrup.109. Sap flowing in the spring is an example of materials being transported throughout plants.110. We have discussed how vascular tissues move water, dissolved materials and sugars throughout the plant. 111. Gases are also transported throughout plants.112. We previously mentioned that plants exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with the environment through small openings in leaves called stomata.113. Water vapor is also emitted from plants through stomata in a process called transpiration.





Video Script: Investigating Plant Structure and Function114. Rates of transpiration can be enormous. Large trees for example, can lose as much as 710 liters of water in a single day! 115. Guard cells that surround stomata have the ability to open and close in response to the concentration of water in the plant.116. There are several other factors that influence the activity of guard cells including the amount of light the plant receives, as well as potassium and carbon dioxide concentrations.117. As you know, plants need to continually replace water that is lost from transpiration.118. Water is absorbed by the roots and moved through the xylem tissue of the roots and stems, and into the leaves.119. Other materials, such as dissolved food, are also transported throughout plants.120. Translocation is the movement of dissolved food throughout a plant. It occurs only in phloem.121. Graphic Transition – Video Review122. During the past few minutes we have explored many of the fascinating aspects of plant structure and function.123. We began by exploring the various types of tissues that make up plant structures.124. The characteristics and function of key plant structures including roots, stems, and leaves were highlighted.125. Specific emphasis was placed on how these plant structures carry out necessary activities for plants.126. Last, we explored the process of transport in plants and the role it plays in helping plants move and exchange necessary materials with the environment.127. Graphic Transition – Video AssessmentFill in the correct word to complete each sentence.1. Plant growth is the result of cells dividing during _____.2. Apical ______ are regions of growth in stem and root tips.3. Lateral meristems called _____ enable woody plants to grow wider.4. Materials are conducted in plants through ______ tissue.5. Vascular tissue called _______ transports dissolved food throughout the plant.6. ________ plants have soft green stems.7. Annual growth rings in trees are the result of new ______ tissue added each year.8. Leaves are specifically designed to capture _____ for photosynthesis.9. A clear waxy coating called the ___ protects the inner leaf tissues and it helps slow down water

loss.10. _____ are openings that control gases into and out of the leaf.





Answer Key to Student AssessmentsPreliminary Assessment (p. 15-16) Post Assessment (p. 17-18)

Video Review (p. 19)

1. c - mitosis 2. d - meristematic tissues 3. a - to conduct materials throughout the plant 4. b - protect the plant 5. c - many hair-like roots 6. a - meristematic zone 7. d - anchoring of the plant 8. b - herbaceous plants 9. c - annual growth rings10. a - xylem and phloem11. a - leaves12. b - stomata13. d - transport14. a - transpiration15. c - guard cells16. Apical meristems are located at the tips of stems and roots. During periods of growth, the cells of apical meristems undergo active mitosis, continually adding more cells to the tips of stems and roots.17. Vascular tissue is responsible for conducting materials such as water, dissolved food and minerals througout plants.18. Roots anchor the plant, conduct materials such as water and minerals to other parts of the plant, and in some cases they store food.19. Stems support and display the leaves and reproductive structures of the plant. Stems contain vascular tissue that transports materials throughout the plant. In some cases, stems store water and even carry out photosynthesis.20. Transpiration is the process by which plants emit water vapor through stomata. Water vapor is given off as a by-product of photosynthesis.

1. d - transport 2. c - many hair-like roots 3. a - xylem and phloem 4. d - anchoring of the plant 5. d - meristematic tissue 6. b - stomata 7. a - to conduct materials throughout the plant 8. a - transpiration 9. c - mitosis10. a - leaves11. a - meristematic zone12. c - annual growth rings13. b - protect the plant14. c - guard cells15. b - herbaceous plants16. Roots anchor the plant, conduct materials such as water and minerals to other parts of the plant, and in some cases, they store food.17. Apical meristems are located at the tips of stems and roots. During periods of growth, the cells of apical meristems undergo active mitosis, continually adding more cells to the tips of stems and roots.18. Transpiration is the process by which plants emit water vapor through stomata. Water vapor is given off as a by-product of photosynthesis.19. Vascular tissue is responsible for conducting materials such as water, dissolved food and minerals througout plants.20. Stems support and display the leaves and reproductive structures of the plant. Stems contain vascular tissue that transports materials throughout the plant. In some cases, stems store water and even carry out photosynthesis.

Video Assessment (p. 19)

Vocabulary (p. 20) 1. k - meristems 2. i - lateral meristems 3. a - dermal tissue 4. f - vascular tissue 5. o - xylem 6. b - phloem 7. m - taproot 8. g - roots 9. c - stems10. j - herbaceous plants11. l - vascular cambium12. d - leaves13. h - cuticle14. n - transpiration15. e - translocation

1. mitosis 6. herbaceous2. meristems 7. xylem3. cambium 8. light4. vascular 9. cuticle5. phloem 10. stomata

1. The leaf’s surface looks shiny and waxy.2. Stems support and display the leaves and reproductive structures of the plant.3. The primary function of leaves is to capture light for photosynthesis.4. The watery fluid coming out of the tap is sap. It is gathered and then boiled down to make sweet maple syrup.



14Visual Learning Company15 Investigating Plant

Structure and Function

Name:Answer Key to Student ActivitiesRoots (p. 21-22)

Tree Growth Rings (p. 24-25)

Inside a Leaf (p. 23)

1. Roots anchor the plant. They absorb water and minerals. In some cases roots store food.2. A taproot system consists of a single main root. A fibrous root system is made up of many hair-like roots.3. In the meristematic zone, small, think-walled cells actively divide, forming the basis for root growth.4. Root hairs add tremendous surface area enabling the plant to absorb more water.5. Xylem transports water and minerals up the root system to the stem and leaves. Phloem transports dissolved food made in the leaves throughout the plant.

1. Phloem transports sugars and nutrients to other parts of the tree.2. The cambium is a layer of the trunk where new growth occurs.3. The xylem transports water and minerals up from the roots to the leaves and provides support for the tree.4. Some possible factors affecting tree growth include the amount of rain received, air quality, and temperature.5. This tree is eleven years old.6. Best growing conditions

Vascular Tissue

EpidermisCuticle

Palisade Layer

Stomata

Guard Cells

Spongy Layer

b. Root Hairs - add surface area enabling the plant to absorb more water.

d. xylem - transports water and minerals up the root system to the stem and leaves.

a. Epidermis - takes in water and minerals

c. Cortex - contains parenchyma cells which conducts water to the center of the root. Also stores food for the plant.

e. Phloem - transports dissolved food made in the leaves throughout the plant.

a. Root Cap - forms a protective covering for cells in meristematic zone.

b. Meristematic Zone - area where cells are actively dividing; basis for growth in root.

c. Elongation Zone - region where cells enlarge; pushing the root forward.

d. Maturation Zone - region where cells differentiate and develop into specialized cells that make up xylem, phloem, and parenchyma.



14Visual Learning Company15 Investigating Plant

Structure and Function

Name:

1. Plant growth results from cells dividing in the following process: a. disjunction b. osmosis c. mitosis d. diffusion

2. Mitosis is continually occurring in special types of plant tissue called: a. skin tissue b. osteocytes c. nerve tissue d. meristematic tissue 3. What is one of the important jobs of vascular tissue in plants? a. to conduct materials throughout the plant b. root growth c. to carry out photosynthesis d. to protect the plant

4. One of the main functions of dermal tissue is to: a. help the plant grow b. protect the plant c. carry out photosynthesis d. produce food

5. A fibrous root system, such as that found in grasses consists of: a. a single main root b. three main roots c. many hair-like roots d. a taproot

6. The majority of growth in roots occurs in the: a. meristematic zone b. elongation zone c. maturation zone d. terminal zone

7. Which of the following is not a function of plant stems? a. support b. transport c. water and food storage d. anchoring of the plant 8. Plants such as wildflowers and grasses possess soft, green stems, and are referred to as: a. gymnosperms b. herbaceous plants c. woody plants d. bryophytes

9. In many types of woody-stemmed trees the growth of new xylem during each growing season forms: a. leaves b. sap c. annual growth rings d. chloroplasts

10. What specific tissues are responsible for moving materials such as sugar and water throughout the plant? a. xylem and phloem b. cork c. ground tissue d. stomata

11. What plant structures are designed to capture light for photosynthesis? a. leaves b. roots c. nerve cells d. root hairs 12. What are the small openings that regulate the movement of gases and water vapor into and out of the leaf? a. pores b. stomata c. vacuoles d. roots

13. Sap flowing abundantly through trees in the spring is one example of the following plant process: a. germination b. communication c. respiration d. transport 14. Plants need to continually replace water that is lost via the process of: a. transpiration b. growth c. germination d. seed development 15. When a plant has lost too much water the following structures close stomata openings to prevent further water loss: a. vacuoles b. control cells c. guard cells d. mitochondria

Preliminary AssessmentDirections: Circle the best answer for each of the following:

Visual Learning Company16 Investigating Plant Structure and Function

Name:


Name:Preliminary AssessmentDirections: Answer the following using complete sentences:

16. Describe the important activity that occurs in apical meristems.

17. What is the main role of vascular tissue in plants?

18. List two fuctions that roots carry out in most plants.

19. Describe two functions of stems.

20. What is transpiration and why does it occur in plants?


Name:


Name:Post AssessmentDirections: Circle the best answer for each of the following:

1. Sap flowing abundantly through trees in the spring is one example of the following plant process: a. germination b. communication c. respiration d. transport

2. A fibrous root system, such as that found in grasses consists of: a. a single main root b. three main roots c. many hair-like roots d. a taproot 3. What specific tissues are responsible for moving materials such as sugar and water throughout the plant? a. xylem and phloem b. cork c. ground tissue d. stomata 4. Which of the following is not a function of plant stems? a. support b. transport c. water and food storage d. anchoring of the plant 5. Mitosis is continually occurring in special types of plant tissue called: a. skin tissue b. osteocytes c. nerve tissue d. meristematic tissue

6. What are the small openings that regulate the movement of gases and water vapor into and out of the leaf? a. pores b. stomata c. vacuoles d. roots

7. What is one of the important jobs of vascular tissue in plants? a. to conduct materials throughout the plant b. root growth c. to carry out photosynthesis d. to protect the plant 8. Plants need to continually replace water that is lost via the process of: a. transpiration b. growth c. germination d. seed development

9. Plant growth results from cells dividing in the following process: a. disjunction b. osmosis c. mitosis d. diffusion

10. What plant structures are designed to capture light for photosynthesis? a. leaves b. roots c. nerve cells d. root hairs 11. The majority of growth in roots occurs in the: a. meristematic zone b. elongation zone c. maturation zone d. terminal zone 12. In many types of woody-stemmed trees the growth of new xylem during each growing season forms: a. leaves b. sap c. annual growth rings d. chloroplasts

13. One of the main functions of dermal tissue is to: a. help the plant grow b. protect the plant c. carry out photosynthesis d. produce food 14. When a plant has lost too much water the following structures close stomata openings to prevent further water loss: a. vacuoles b. control cells c. guard cells d. mitochondria 15. Plants such as wildflowers and grasses possess soft, green stems, and are referred to as: a. gymnosperms b. herbaceous plants c. woody plants d. bryophytes


Name:


Name:Post AssessmentDirections: Answer the following using complete sentences

16. List two functions that roots carry out in most plants.

17. Describe the important activity that occurs in apical meristems.

18. What is transpiration and why does it occur in plants?

19. What is the main role of vascular tissue in plants?

20. Describe two functions of stems.


Name:


Name:

1. You Observe! Describe the appearance of this leaf’s surface.

2. You Decide! What are some of the functions of plant stems?

3. You Decide! What is the primary function of leaves?

4. You Decide! What do you see coming out of the tap in this maple tree?

Video ReviewDirections: Answer these questions as you watch the video:

Video AssessmentDirections: After you watch the video, fill in the blank to complete the sentence.

1. Plant growth is the result of cells dividing during ____________________. 2. Apical ____________________ are regions of growth in stem and root tips. 3. Lateral meristems called ____________________ enable woody plants to grow wider. 4. Materials are conducted in plants through ____________________ tissue. 5. Vascular tissue called ____________________ transports dissolved food throughout the plant. 6. ____________________ plants have soft green stems. 7. Annual growth rings in trees are the result of new ____________________ tissue added each year. 8. Leaves are specifically designed to capture _______________ for photosynthesis. 9. A clear waxy coating called the _______________ protects the inner leaf tissues and it helps slow down water loss.10. _______________ are openings that control gases into and out of the leaf.


Name:


Name:Investigating Plant Structure and Function

Vocabulary

a. Forms a layer on the outer layer of leaves, green stems and roots; helps protect the plant. b. A type of vascular tissue that transports sugar and other dissolved materials produced in the process of photosynthesis. c. Plant structures that support the plant, transport materials, and in some cases, store nutrients. d. Plant structures that are referred to as the “photosynthetic factories” of plants. e. The movement of dissolved food throughout a plant; occurs only in phloem.

f. Responsible for conducting materials throughout plants.

g. Structures that anchor the plant, absorb water, and in some cases, store food.

h. Clear, waxy, layer that coats and protects leaves.

i. Also referred to as cambium; enables woody plants to grow wider.

j. Plants that have soft, green, juicy stems.

k. Regions of active growth found in the tips of stems, roots, branches, and other plant parts.

l. Tissue found in woody-stemmed plants that causes them to grow thicker.

m. A root system that consists of a single main root.

n. The process of plants emitting water vapor through leaf openings.

o. Vascular tissue that transports minerals and water in a plant; also helps support the plant.

____ 1) resemmsti ______________________

____ 2) aallrte eitmmssre _________________ ________________________

____ 3) ardlem sesiut ______________________

____ 4) cruavsal ustsei _____________________ ___________________

____ 5) lmxey ______________________

____ 6) olehmp ______________________

____ 7) ttoaopr ______________________

____ 8) osrto ______________________

____ 9) essmt ______________________

____ 10) shueorebca ltnspa ___________________ ________________ ____ 11) uarcsvla muamicb __________________ ______________________

____ 12) vaeesl ______________________

____ 13) ceultci ______________________

____ 14) strrtannoaiip _______________________

____ 15) icsrooatnanlt _______________________

Directions: Unscramble the vocabulary words in the first column. Match the words to the definitions in the second column.


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Name:RootsBackground: Whenever you eat carrots, beets, or onions you are eating an important plant structure - a root. In a typical plant, the root is the part of the plant that grows underground. Roots firmly anchor the plant. They also absorb water and minerals. In some instances, as is with carrots, roots store food.

It is not uncommon for the root system underground to be as large as the network of stems and branches above ground. There are two common types of root systems. A taproot system consists of a single main root with smaller root branches. A fibrous root system, such as that found in grasses, is made up of many hair-like roots.

A typical root tip has a number of different zones involved in the growth of the root. The root cap consists of cells that form a protective covering for the cells behind it in the meristematic zone. In the meristematic zone, small, thin-walled cells actively divide, forming the basis for cell growth in the root. The elongation zone, behind the meristematic zone is the place where cells enlarge, pushing the root forward. Behind the elongation zone is the maturation zone where cells differentiate and develop into specialized cells such as xylem, phloem, and parenchyma.

A cross-section of the maturation zone reveals a variety of tissue layers. The epidermis is the outermost layer. It takes in water and minerals. Many cells in this layer have hair-like extensions called root hairs. Root hairs add tremendous surface area enabling the plant to absorb more water. One plant may have bil-lions of root hairs. Inside the epidermis is the cortex. Parenchyma cells of the cortex conduct water to the center of the root. They also store food for the plant mainly in the form of starch. At the center of the root are conducting tissues - xylem and phloem. Xylem transports water and minerals up the root system to the stem and leaves, while phloem transports dissolved food made in the leaves throughout the plant. Directions: 1. Read the Background section above.2. Study the diagram of a typical root below. Label the following areas of the root: a. root cap b. meristematic zone c. elongation zone d. maturation zone3. Next to each area, briefly describe its function.


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Name:Roots4. Below is a diagram of the cross-section of a root maturation zone. Label the following structures and describe their function: a. epidermis b. root hairs c. cortex d. xylem e. phloem

Questions:

1. What are some of the functions of roots?

2. Describe the difference between a taproot system and a fibrous root system.

3. In what part of a root does growth occur?

4. What is the role of root hairs?

5. What are the roles of xylem and phloem?


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Name:Inside a LeafBackground: We see leaves around us everyday. Did you realize that leaves are vital to human survival? Leaves produce oxygen that we breathe every few seconds. Photosynthesis is the process plants use to make sugar from water and carbon dioxide. This process takes place primarily in the leaves of plants. During this process, oxygen is released. Almost all the oxygen we breathe results from photosynthesis in plants. Without the oxygen produced by plants, life as we know it would cease. So, now that we know why plant leaves are so important, let’s explore their structure.

The outermost layer of the upper and lower surfaces of a leaf is called the cuticle. The cuticle is a waxy layer that provides protection for the tissues of the leaf and prevents excessive water loss. Just below the cuticle is the epidermis. This is a thin layer of cells that provides further protection for the leaf.

Directions: Using the information in the background, label the parts of a leaf using the following terms: vascular tissues, spongy layer, cuticle, stomata, epidermis, guard cells, and palisade layer. Describe the function of each structure in the leaf.

Structures called stomata are found in the epidermal layer. Stomata are small openings through which gasses flow in and out of the leaf. Water vapor also exits the leaf through these openings. Each stomate is protected by a group of guard cells. These cells control the opening and closing of the stomate according to the needs of the plant.

Below the epidermis is the palisade layer. This layer of cells plays a large role in the process of photosynthesis. Just below the palisade layer is the spongy layer. The spongy layer has many air cavities where gasses from the plant and the air can mix. Vascular tissues, such as xylem and phloem, are found in this spongy layer. They appear as veins on the outside of the leaf.


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Name:Tree Growth Rings

Various factors may affect the growth rate of a tree. For example, a tree might not grow as well when there has not been enough rain. It also might slow down because there was too much pollution, or if the weather was too warm or cold. Tree growth rings may also provide clues to what climates, conditions, and even the make up of air may have been hundreds of years ago. Let’s see what you can figure out using tree rings!

Background: When you look at a tree, what can you tell about it? You may notice that leaves are changing colors if it is autumn, or that branches have broken if there has been a storm. You can tell a lot of things by looking at the outside of a tree. But have you ever thought about what you might be able to learn by looking inside a tree?

Tree trunks are made up of layers. Bark is the outer layer that you can see. Inside the bark there is a layer of phloem. Phloem transports sugars and nutrients up and down the tree. Inside the phloem is a layer of cambium. Cambium is the layer of the tree that grows, adding on to the xylem. Xylem is the innermost layer of the trunk. Xylem transports water and minerals from the roots to the leaves and provides support for the tree.

Annual growth rings are the old layers of xylem. They are formed when cambium grows and adds on to the xylem. Each year a light colored ring and a dark colored ring are produced. In areas where there are four seasons, trees grow at different rates each season. Trees grow quickly in the spring at the beginning of their growing season. The wood produced then is lighter colored and less dense. Toward the end of the growing season, when growth is slow, the new wood is darker colored and more dense. By counting the number of light or dark colored rings, you can tell how old a tree is.

Directions: Read the information below and answer the questions on the next page.

bark

phloem

cambium

xylem


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Name:Tree Growth Rings

1. What is the function of phloem?

2. Name the layer of the tree trunk where new growth occurs.

3. What does the xylem do?

4. Describe some factors that may affect the growth rate of a tree.

5. How old is the tree in the picture below?

6. Label the place on the tree where the growing conditions were the best.

Questions:

Documents

Investigating Plant Structure and Function Guide