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Plant Structure, Growth, and Reproduction

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  • Primary cell wall

    Flexible cellulose structure surrounding the plasma membrane during cell growth.

  • Secondary cell wall

    Thick cellulose and lignin structure formed after cell growth, providing rigidity.

  • Lignin

    Polymer in vascular plants that strengthens cell walls and is a key component of wood.

  • Plasmodesmata

    Channels between plant cells allowing transport and cell signaling.

  • Root system functions

    Anchors plant, absorbs water and ions, stores materials produced in shoots.

  • Taproot

    Largest dominant root from which lateral roots project.

  • Shoot system functions

    Gathers CO2 and light and carries out photosynthesis.

  • Leaf structure

    Includes petiole (stalk), blade (main part), mesophyll (photosynthetic tissue), and stomata (pores for gas exchange).

  • Guard cells

    Specialized cells that regulate stomata opening by changing turgidity.

  • Phenotypic plasticity in plants

    Plants change form based on environment, e.g., prop roots for support, pneumatophores for gas exchange.

  • Xylem function

    Conducts water and dissolved nutrients from roots to shoots.

  • Tracheids vs Vessel elements

    Tracheids are long, thin water-conducting cells; vessel elements are short, wide cells with perforations for efficient water flow.

  • Phloem function

    Transports sugars, amino acids, and signals between roots and shoots.

  • Sieve tube elements

    Specialized phloem cells with sieve plates that facilitate nutrient transport.

  • Companion cells

    Support sieve tube elements metabolically and physically.

  • Cuticle

    Waxy film secreted by epidermal cells to prevent water loss and protect against pathogens.

  • Trichomes

    Hair-like epidermal structures that prevent water loss, defend herbivores, and reflect sunlight.

  • Parenchyma cells

    Most abundant plant cells, totipotent, form pith, cortex, and mesophyll, aid healing and reproduction.

  • Collenchyma cells

    Provide flexible structural support in growing shoots and leaves with thick primary walls.

  • Sclerenchyma cells

    Provide rigid support, dead at maturity, with thick lignin-rich secondary walls.

  • Primary growth

    Growth in length from apical meristems at root and shoot tips.

  • Apical meristem

    Group of stem cells at root or shoot tips producing new cells for growth.

  • Zones of root growth

    Includes cell division, elongation, and maturation zones with root hairs for absorption.

  • Secondary growth

    Growth in thickness from lateral meristems like vascular cambium and cork cambium.

  • Vascular cambium

    Lateral meristem producing secondary xylem (inside) and phloem (outside).

  • Wood composition

    Derived from secondary xylem; heartwood is inner, dark, decay-resistant; sapwood is outer, active in water transport.

  • Bark components

    Includes secondary phloem, cork cambium, and cork cells; contains lenticels for gas exchange.

  • Angiosperm life cycle

    Alternation of generations with dominant diploid sporophyte producing spores, and haploid gametophyte producing gametes.

  • Heterospory

    Production of two spore types: microspores (male gametophytes) and megaspores (female gametophytes).

  • Double fertilization

    Pollen tube releases two sperm: one fertilizes egg (embryo), other fuses with polar nuclei (endosperm).

  • Flower structure

    Includes sepals (calyx), petals (corolla), stamens (male), and carpels (female pistil).

  • Seed dispersal

    Transport of seeds by wind, water, or animals; seeds may enter dormancy until conditions are favorable.