ROOT,stem and lavs STRUCTURE
So in the last 3 lectures, we talked about tissues, cells, their components,
and what those components do. We also covered the mechanisms of plant
life, including the xylem and phloem, their roles, and how they work.
Today, we’ll explore roots ,their structure, outer appearance, and
functions while revisiting the xylem and phloem as part of the
discussion.
What are the main functions of roots, and how are
the different regions of a young root structured to
support these functions?
Roots anchor the plant and absorb water and minerals. The original root
develops from the radicle of the seed.
Young roots have 4 regions:
1. Root Cap : Protects the tip
and senses gravity.
2. Cell Division : New cells form here
and develop into:
- Epidermis: (outer layer),
- Cortex: (middle layer),
- Xylem & Phloem:(transport tissues).
3. Elongation : Cells grow longer, large vacuoles form.
4. Maturation : Cells become specialized, root hairs form increasing
absorption.
Roots perceive gravity through amyloplast. Root hairs help increase
absorption of water and minerals.
What is the function of Casparian strips,
endodermis, and pericycle in roots?
LOOK, In roots:
Tissues in the maturation region are analogous to stem tips. Pith is
generally absent in most dicot roots, but arises from the
procambium in monocots.
The endodermis, inner boundary of cortex, contains Casparian strips
of suberin impregnating cell walls to block the flow of water.
Passage cells in the endodermis permit some water movement.
Branch roots are produced by the pericycle inside the endodermis. In
dicots and conifers, the vascular cambium forms between xylem arms and
phloem patches.
Casparian strips ensure water passes through membranes, not
porous walls, hence controlling entry to vascular tissues.
Now,What are the roles of the pericycle, xylem, phloem,
and cork cambium in root structure and function?
Previously we have talked about XYLEM AND PHLOEM but we will talk about
them again
Pericycle: Usually one cell thick but can be wider. It keeps
dividing after maturing and produces branch roots and part
of the vascular cambium in dicots.
Xylem: In dicot roots, xylem forms a solid core with 2-6
arms at the root center. Monocot roots have pith around
xylem.
Phloem :Present as patches between xylem arms, later
becoming ring like.
Cork Cambium: produces cork and phelloderm (as in stems
of woody plants) Roots can graft to each other naturally.
Pith: -found in monocot roots but generally absent in dicots.
Now, let's move to the
STEM STRUCTURE.
Each stem has an apical meristem at its tip, which helps the stem grow longer. but
How do the apical meristem and vascular cambium contribute to stem growth and
tissue formation?
. From this, three primary meristems arise:
Protoderm: gives rise to epidermis.
Procambium: gives rise to fascicular cambium, primary xylem,
and primary phloem.
Ground Meristem: gives rise to pith and cortex.
Vascular Bundles: The primary xylem and phloem are associated
in vascular bundles, which are either collateral or bicollateral.
Leaf and Bud Development: Xylem and phloem traces branch
off the main cylinder as leaves and buds develop, leaving
behind leaf gaps or bud gaps.
Secondary Growth:
Vascular cambium is initiated between primary xylem and
phloem, which give rise to secondary tissues:
Secondary Xylem: Comprises of tracheids, vessel elements, and
fibers.
Secondary Phloem: Comprises of sieve tube members and
companion cells.
organes of primary and
secondary growth
In many plants, cork cambium forms near the stem's surface, so What
are the roles of cork cambium, lenticels, and stele in stem structure
and function?
cork cambium originates near the surface of the stem and gives rise
to:
Cork Cells: Part of outer bark, periderm, with suberin in their walls,
waterproof and protective.
Phelloderm: Inner protective tissue.
Lenticels: lenticels are found in the bark and provide for gas exchange,
oxygen, carbon dioxide. They form beneath stomata in maturing stem.
Parenchyma cells in lenticels keep the spaces through which gases can
pass.
Stele: The stele consists of primary vascular tissues and pith, if it is
present
Protostele: solid xylem core, surrounded by phloem.
Siphonostele: tubular, with pith at the center
Eustele: vascular bundles in discrete rings (collateral or bicollateral).
Herbaceous Dicots:
vascular bundles are arranged in a ring. In woody plants, the pith is
eventually crushed and replaced by new tissues as the stem grows.
What are the functions of vascular rays, laticifers,
and the structural features of monocot stems and
wood?
Vascular rays are made of parenchyma cells that can live over 10
years.
, found in flowering plants, secrete latex, which is commercially
valuable in some species. Monocot stems lack cambia and have
scattered vascular bundles, each surrounded by sclerenchyma
cells for strength. Their ground tissue, made of parenchyma, isn’t
divided into pith and cortex. Wood's dry part mainly contains
cellulose and lignin, with resins, oils, and starch also present.
Wood properties like density and durability determine its use.
last one gonna be
LEAF STRUCTURE
What roles do the stomata, epidermis, and mesophyll play in
leaf function?
All leaves start as primordia and possess stomata on their surfaces for
air circulation, photosynthesis, respiration, and the release of water
via transpiration. Stomata can range from 1,000 to more than 1.2
million per square centimeter. They are formed by two guard cells that
control water loss and gas exchange. The epidermis is covered with a
waxy cuticle and may contain additional features such as waxes,
glands, hairs, or crystals. Sandwiched between the upper and lower
epidermis, the mesophyll contains an upper palisade layer, composed
of tightly packed, chloroplast-rich cells, and a loosely-packed, lower
spongy layer that facilitates gas movement.
How do the mesophyll, veins, and pigments
contribute to leaf structure and function?
The palisade mesophyll, in the upper leaf region, contains over 80% of the
leaf's chloroplasts, making it the primary site for photosynthesis. Below it,
the spongy mesophyll, with loosely arranged parenchyma cells and air
spaces, also houses many chloroplasts. Veins (vascular bundles) consist
of xylem and phloem and are surrounded by a bundle sheath. They
provide the supportive "skeleton" of the leaf. Leaves turn autumn colors
as chlorophyll breaks down and other pigments such as anthocyanins and
betacyanins become visible. Anthocyanins, which are common in
vacuoles, appear red in acidic sap, blue in alkaline, or purple in neutral;
betacyanins are usually red.
Carotenes are responsible for the gold-to-orange colors of fall
leaves. Leaves fall due to hormonal changes in the abscission zone;
phloem blocks first, then a suberin-coated protective layer forms.
Leaves also produce various products such as food, medicines, and
dyes. Hydathodes at vein tips release water through guttation at
night when transpiration stops.
Monocot leaves do not have a true mesophyll but instead have
parenchyma with chloroplasts between parallel veins. Gravel-like
bulliform cells along the midrib can fold leaves under drought conditions
to prevent water loss. Spines are modified leaves that contain
sclerenchyma. Epidermal cells may appear puzzle-like microscopically.
IT’S
NEVER
TOO
LATE
