Parts of a Plant

Two Major Organ Systems in Plants Plants have two organ systems: Shoot System Photosynthesis Reproduction Root System Anchors the plant Absorbs water and nutrients Stores food

Plant Organs Leaves Reproductive Organs Stems Root Site of photosynthesis Reproductive Organs Flowers, seeds, fruit Stems Support Transport between roots and shoots Root Anchor Absorb H2O and minerals Stores nutrients

Plant Tissues Plants have three tissue types. Each tissue is continuous throughout the plant body. Dermal Tissue Vascular Tissue Ground Tissue

Specialized Cells In plants, meristematic cells are unspecialized cells that will divide and differentiate to form the specialized cells that will make up the tissues of the plants (and have a specific function)

Dermal Tissue Thin layer of cells that covers and protects the surface of the plant. Functions: Protection and prevention of water loss

Specialized Cells within Dermal Tissue Epidermal Cells Single layer of thin cells Produce a waxy substance (cuticle) to prevent H2O loss Cork Cells Replaces epidermal cells as plant grows Forms bark in trees Guard Cells Modified epidermal cells that open and close for gas exchange in photosynthesis Prevent H2O loss

Vascular Tissue & Specialized Cells Made up of xylem and phloem specialized cells Xylem carries H2O and dissolved minerals from roots to shoot system (stems, leaves and shoots) Phloem transports the dissolved nutrients (photosynthesis products) to all parts of the plant. Functions: Transport of water (X), minerals (X) and nutrients (P)

Ground Tissue & Specialized Cells Tissue that is neither dermal tissue or vascular tissue (“filler tissue”) Made up of a variety of specialized cells including parenchyma cells Functions: Photosynthesis Storage of nutrients and H2O (parenchyma cells) Support for plant Parenchyma cells in bean

Chloroplast Organelle found within the leaf Kick-starts photosynthesis Chloroplasts contain little sacs called thylakoids that have chlorophyll molecules Photosynthesis produces glucose and O2. O2 is allowed to diffuse out of leaf through openings called stomata (plural) on the underside of the leaf. Guard cells control the opening and closing of the stomata via signals.