ANGIOSPERMS: Monocot versus Dicots Biology 112

Monocots & Dicots Botanists are able to divide the 235,000 species of angiosperms into two large groups based on the structure of their seeds Inside the seeds of angiosperms are tiny embryonic leaves called cotyledons. The seeds of one group of angiosperms have one cotyledon, called monocotyledons or monocots. Other angiosperms have two cotyledons. These are called dicotyledons or dicots

Cotyledon (seed leaf) Monocots versus Dicots One cotyledon (seed leaf) Two cotyledons (seed leaves)

The veins of monocot leaves are parallel to each other The leaves of dicots usually have netlike veins

Leaves Monocot versus Dicots Base of a Monocot Leaf: Note the Sheath which connects the Blade to the Stem Typical Dicot Leaf with Reticulate (Net) Venation

Monocot Examples Tulips, daffodils, irises, lilies, palm trees Do you see veins that are parallel?

Dicot Examples Buttercups, peas, roses, sunflowers, maple trees, and dandelions Do you see the netlike veins?

Which is which? B is __________ A is _____________

Stems Monocot versus Dicot Cross Section of a typical Dicot Stem Cross Section of Corn which is a typical Monocot

Root System Dicot versus Monocots DicotMonocot

Floral Parts Monocots versus Dicots Monocots Dicots