Parts of a Plant
Roots
All plants have structures that can be described as roots which gather water from the soil. In the water other necessary molecules are also absorbed such as nitrate or ammonia. Roots prevent the plant from falling over acting like the anchor into the ground. The larger the root system the easier it will be for the plant to absorb water and nutrients. Fibrous roots are made of many small roots. Tap roots are one larger root with many smaller tiny roots coming off of the larger root.
All plants have structures that can be described as roots which gather water from the soil. In the water other necessary molecules are also absorbed such as nitrate or ammonia. Roots prevent the plant from falling over acting like the anchor into the ground. The larger the root system the easier it will be for the plant to absorb water and nutrients. Fibrous roots are made of many small roots. Tap roots are one larger root with many smaller tiny roots coming off of the larger root.
Stems
Stems connect the roots to the leaves, as well as support the leaves into the air. Within the stem are tube-like tissues that transport the necessary molecules back and forth. Xylem are tissues that transport water and other nutrients from the soil up to the leaves. Phloem are tissues that transport sugars from the leaves down to the rest of the plant.
Stems connect the roots to the leaves, as well as support the leaves into the air. Within the stem are tube-like tissues that transport the necessary molecules back and forth. Xylem are tissues that transport water and other nutrients from the soil up to the leaves. Phloem are tissues that transport sugars from the leaves down to the rest of the plant.
Leaves
Leaves carry out photosynthesis. The outer cells of the leaf are the epidermis. On the underside of leaves are openings called stomata (single = stoma). Each stoma are surrounded by cells called guard cells that open and close to allow carbon dioxide to enter and oxygen to leave, also called gas exchange. During the day when temperatures are hottest the guard cells close to prevent transpiration, the evaporation of water out of leaves.
The top surface of each leaf is covered in a waxy coating called the cuticle. This prevents any transpiration through the top surface. Within the internal portion of the leaf are cells that contain many chloroplasts. These cells make up tissue called mesophyll. They conduct photosynthesis and produce sugar for the plant to use.
Below the upper epidermis is the palisade mesophyll layer. This is one or a few layers of cylindrical cells that contain many chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are an important part of plant cells because they are cell structures that allow for photosynthesis.
Below the palisade layer is the spongy mesophyll layer. This is an area with loosely packed cells with many air pockets. The cells are more ball-shaped than cylindrical-shaped like the cells in the palisade layer. The large air pockets allow for gas exchange between different areas of the leaf. The cells in this layer contain few chloroplasts and are therefore not generally responsible for photosynthesis. This makes sense, as the layer is further into the leaf and will therefore not get as much sun as the palisade layer, which is closer to the leaf surface.
Within the spongy layer are a few other components of the leaf. Along with the air pockets for the exchange of gasses are vascular bundles. These contain the xylem and phloem tissues which bring water into the leaf and take sugar away.
Leaves carry out photosynthesis. The outer cells of the leaf are the epidermis. On the underside of leaves are openings called stomata (single = stoma). Each stoma are surrounded by cells called guard cells that open and close to allow carbon dioxide to enter and oxygen to leave, also called gas exchange. During the day when temperatures are hottest the guard cells close to prevent transpiration, the evaporation of water out of leaves.
The top surface of each leaf is covered in a waxy coating called the cuticle. This prevents any transpiration through the top surface. Within the internal portion of the leaf are cells that contain many chloroplasts. These cells make up tissue called mesophyll. They conduct photosynthesis and produce sugar for the plant to use.
Below the upper epidermis is the palisade mesophyll layer. This is one or a few layers of cylindrical cells that contain many chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are an important part of plant cells because they are cell structures that allow for photosynthesis.
Below the palisade layer is the spongy mesophyll layer. This is an area with loosely packed cells with many air pockets. The cells are more ball-shaped than cylindrical-shaped like the cells in the palisade layer. The large air pockets allow for gas exchange between different areas of the leaf. The cells in this layer contain few chloroplasts and are therefore not generally responsible for photosynthesis. This makes sense, as the layer is further into the leaf and will therefore not get as much sun as the palisade layer, which is closer to the leaf surface.
Within the spongy layer are a few other components of the leaf. Along with the air pockets for the exchange of gasses are vascular bundles. These contain the xylem and phloem tissues which bring water into the leaf and take sugar away.