Download Understanding the Role of Leaves, Stems, and Roots in Plant Biology and more Slides Plant Biotechnology in PDF only on Docsity! Intro to Horticulture Parts of the Plant and Their Functions Docsity.com Functions of leaves . 1. Critical for photosynthesis (the process by which plants produce their food). 2. Aid in the process of transpiration which is necessary in order for plants to cool themselves. Docsity.com Internal Leaf Structures Epidermis – Cuticle Waxy substance covers the leaves and stems Waterproof layer that keeps water in plants Docsity.com Principal Tissues of the Leaf Epidermis (cont) – Stomata Openings in the epidermis mainly located on underside of leaves Exchange of gases •Guard Cells •Two cells located on each side of stomata •Open and closes stomata Docsity.com Chloroplast • Cells in the center of the leaf • The chloroplast contains chlorophyll which gives the plants the green color • Manufactures food for the plant though Photosynthesis • Beginning of the food chain for all living things Docsity.com What is the purpose of the stems? • Two main Functions – The movement of materials- water, minerals, food – Support the leaves and reproductive structures • Can be used for food storage – Ex. Irish potato Docsity.com What are the types of stems? 1) Woody Stem: trees, shrubs, woody perennials 2) Grass Stem: hollow or filled 3) Herbaceous Stem: like woody but softer (clover, alfalfa) 4) Modified Stem Docsity.com Types of Modified Stems Bulbs: (onion) Tubers: (potato) Stolons: above ground runner (strawberry) Rhizomes: below ground runners (field bindweed or creeping jenny) Docsity.com What is the difference in monocot and dicot and why should I care? • Dicot stem may continue to increase in diameter because the cambium builds new phloem cells on the outside and new xylem cells on the inside – Ex. Trees • Monocot have vascular bundles which contain both xylem and phloem and no cambium – This would make it more limited in size • Ex. corn Docsity.com Why should we care? • The stems of some plants we use as food – Irish potato and asparagus • Others are used in building materials – Lumber from the tree trunks Docsity.com Roots • Roots function – Anchor the plant and hold it upright – Absorb water and minerals from the soil and conduct them to the stem – Store large quantities of plant food – Propagate or reproduce some plants Docsity.com Functions of Fruit: 1. Protect the seeds inside the ripened ovule (fruit). 2. Provide nutrients to the soil and to a newly germinated seedling. Docsity.com 3. Aid in the dissemination/spreading of seed by providing food for animals. Animals eat the fruit and seeds. After the fruit is digested, the seeds pass out in the animal’s feces at another location. Docsity.com 4. Some plants have dry, dehiscent fruits which split open to disseminate seeds. Docsity.com
