Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 17 views

    Plant Structure

    Uploaded by

    denzelsantos
    The document summarizes the typical plant body, dividing it into the root system and shoot system. The root system anchors the plant underground, absorbs water and nutrients, and stores food. The shoot system elevates the plant above ground and includes structures for photosynthesis, reproduction, food and water conduction, such as leaves and reproductive organs.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Plant Structure

    Uploaded by

    denzelsantos
    17 views2 pages
    The document summarizes the typical plant body, dividing it into the root system and shoot system. The root system anchors the plant underground, absorbs water and nutrients, and stores food. The shoot system elevates the plant above ground and includes structures for photosynthesis, reproduction, food and water conduction, such as leaves and reproductive organs.

    Copyright

    © Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)

    Available Formats

    DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    The document summarizes the typical plant body, dividing it into the root system and shoot system. The root system anchors the plant underground, absorbs water and nutrients, and stores food. The shoot system elevates the plant above ground and includes structures for photosynthesis, reproduction, food and water conduction, such as leaves and reproductive organs.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    17 views2 pages

    Plant Structure

    Uploaded by

    denzelsantos
    The document summarizes the typical plant body, dividing it into the root system and shoot system. The root system anchors the plant underground, absorbs water and nutrients, and stores food. The shoot system elevates the plant above ground and includes structures for photosynthesis, reproduction, food and water conduction, such as leaves and reproductive organs.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 2

    The "Typical" Plant Body The Root System

    y y y y y

    Underground (usually) Anchor the plant in the soil Absorb water and nutrients Conduct water and nutrients Food Storage

    The Shoot System

    y y y

    Above ground (usually) Elevates the plant above the soil Many functions including: o photosynthesis o reproduction & dispersal o food and water conduction Note: the shoot system includes the leaves and the reproductive organs, although these will be covered in more detail separately

    THE ROOTS BELOW GROUND We'll start at the bottom with the roots. These structures are designed to pull water and minerals from whatever material the plant sits on. For water plants, the roots may be in the water. For traditional trees, the roots go deep into the soil. There are even plants called epiphytes that live in trees and their root system clings to branches. Humans often capitalize on the roots of plants for food. Carrots are just one big orange root. Root systems also provide support for plants in the form of an anchor in the soil. If the wind blows hard, those roots keep the plant from falling over. Some plant species have roots above ground that provide support for the entire plant. Roots are further broken down into the primary root and lateral roots that each has apical meristem at their tips. Root hairs are also a common structure on roots. They make the roots look fuzzy and help in the absorption of water and nutrients. SHOOTS ABOVE GROUND Sure we said that there are some roots above the surface, but the majority of the plant you see is made up of stems and leaves. Think about a tree. The stems are the trunks and branches. Leaves are self-explanatory. Stems are all about transporting food and water and acting as support structures. Leaves are all about photosynthesis, creating food molecules and absorbing carbon dioxide for the plant. These parts are connected by the vascular system of xylem and phloem that spreads through the entire plant. The tip (terminal bud) of the main stem has a specialized structure that is the source of new growth for plants. You will find the apical meristem that develops into young leaves (primodium). There are other points of growth at each node where leaves and branches develop on the stems. Those branching points are home to axillary budsthat can also develop into new branches.

    You might also like