Basic Plant Morphology
• TISSUES- a group of cells functioning together in some specialized activity
• MERISTEMS- a mass of self-perpetuating cells, which are not yet committed to developing into a specialized cell type – Terminal meristems- ends of stems, branches
and roots– Axillary meristems- base of leaves, branches– Lateral meristems are parallel to sides of plant
parts and increase girth.
Flowering plants have 3 basic tissue types
• Dermal– Cover surface of plant– Protection
• Ground• Vascular
– Conducting tissue
Vascular Tissue
• Xylem– Mostly to conduct water and nutrients– E.g., roots to shoots
• Phloem– Mostly to conduct sugars, amino acids, etc.– E.g., leaves to roots or flowers
Longitudinal section of roots
• Root cap• Zone of cell division• Zone of cell
elongation• Zone of maturation
Cross section of root• Vascular bundle (Stele) = contains xylem and phloem• Cortex• Epidermis• Root hairs
– Absorb water and minerals
Function of Stems
• support leaves to maximize light absorption• part of conduit for transport of water,
minerals, and organic solutes• storage
Woody dicots
• Discrete vascular bundles replaced by continuous rings of xylem
• Each ring is xylem produced during one growing season
• Vascular cambium