Chapter 1 – Plant Structure, Growth and Development
How plants w ork :
Parts of a plant
Shoot system = vegetative and reproductive parts
Root system = all vegetative (growing) parts
Balance between shoot and root system is essential for plant health
Root / Shoot Ratio
Internal parts of the plant
CELLS = building blocks: many different specialized cells with specific functions.
Growth processes occur inside cells.
TISSUES = organized groups of cells
Epidermal Tissue= plant “skin”
Meristematic Tissue = growing areas
Vascular Tissues = plumbing
ORGANS = groups of multiple tissues
Vegetative Organs = leaves, stems, buds, roots
Leaves = factories: manufacture food, etc. Comprised of blade and petiole
Epidermal layer = bread (Stomata are in Epidermal layer)
Palisade parenchyma cells = peanut butter (diagram on 3rd page)
Mesophyl cells = jelly (most photosynthesis occurs here)
Leaves are attached to stems by the petiole at a node..
Stems = support for leaf and distributes food & H 2 O in & out of leaf.
1st year stems are called shoots.
Leaves are attached to the stem in alternate or opposite positions
Stems contain the vascular system, comprised of Xylem and Phloem
Xylem = vessels carrying H 2 O, nutrients & O 2 from roots to leaves
Phloem = vessels carrying products of photosynthesis within the plant
Xylem & Phloem placement is very different in Monocots and Dicots
Dispersed throughout monocot stems (diagram on 3rd page)
Arranged in continuous ring around pith in dicots
Stolons and rhizomes are modified stems.
Buds = the growing points of the plant; contain immature plant parts
Vegetative buds = immature stems & leaves
Floral buds = immature flowers
Different buds occurs in different locations:
Terminal (Apical) buds @ end of a shoot
Axillary (lateral) buds @ node in leaf axil
Adventitious buds form in other locations (when a tree is topped)
Roots = “anchor” for plant stability + entry point for minerals & H 2 O, and storage
Taproot = thick, unbranched downward primary root, (some dicots)
Fiberous Root = net-like mass of secondary roots (dicots & monocots)
Fleshy Root = like taproot, but branched (perennials)
Root Hairs grow from meristem (behind root cap): absorb H 2 O & nutrients
Michorrhizae = root fungus (good) living amongst root hairs in symbiotic
relationship with root system: each benefits the other.
Adventitious Roots form on leaves & stems (rooted cuttings, layering)
Reproductive Organs = flowers, fruits, seeds
Flowers = Sex organs of the plant: showy & smelly to attract pollinators
Sepals – cover flower while in bud stage
Petals – colorful to attract pollinators
Stamens = ♂ (male) produce & hold pollen (anthers & filaments)
Pistils = ♀ (female) holds ovules (stigma, style & ovary)
Complete Flowers = all 4 parts are present
Incomplete flowers = 1 or more parts missing
Perfect Flowers have both ♂ & ♀ parts present
Monecious = imperfect (♂ only & ♀ only) flowers on same plant
Dioecious = imperfect (♂ only & ♀ only) flowers on separate plants
Hollies are dioecious (Ilex m. Blue Prince & Ilex m. Blue Princess)
Fruit = the mature ovary from a flower: protects developing seed and is a vector
for dispersal of seed (via birds, animals, etc.)
Ornamental qualities often lasting longer than flowering aesthetics
Seed = the next generation: contains embryo, has protective cover = seed coat.
How Plants Grow and Develop:
Seed Germinat ion: Seeds generally germinate when exposed to proper temps & moisture
Some seeds require modification of seed coat in order to germinate
Juvenility = vegetative growth only
Matur ity = plant is able to produce flowers
Senescence = period prior to death of a plant organ
Examples: Trees drop leaves & herbaceous perennials die back to ground in autumn
Dormancy = plant growth slows of stops, but will restart
Growth and Development Process
P H O T O S Y N T H E S I S = the process by
which plants utilize light energy for growth.
It is a 2 part process where the plant
1) captures energy; and 2) stores it.
R E S P I R A T I O N = the process through
which stored energy is released so plant can
grow. (= reverse of photosynthesis)
T R A N S P I R A T I O N = the mechanical process within the plant in which H 2 O moves through the
plant via the xylem. H 2 O is absorbed by root hairs and pulled upwards until it is evaporated
through the leaf pores (stomata). This evaporation “pulls” H 2 O from the roots up to the top of the
tallest trees.
TR ANSLOC ATION = movement of materials, including plant foods and chemical signals within
the plant via ithe phloem. Systemic pesticides are also translocated.
METABO LISM = activity within cells that keeps plant alive and growing
Cell Division and Expansion
Meristem = region where cell division and expansion occur. Sole function of meristematic cells is
Is to multiply themselves.
Apical Meristem (terminal shoot meristem) = area of primary shoot extension
Terminal Root-tip Meristem = area of root extension
Axillary Meristem = point of lateral (axillary) branch growth
Cambium = meristematic cells between xylem & phloem, just below surface of dicot stem.
This is the region where increase in trunk caliper occurs
Intercalary Meristem: important in monocots (grasses); at base of grass blade, it allows
blade to continue expanding after mowing
Hormones Control Growth
Hormone = substance produced in one part of plant & translocated to another so it influences
Growth & development at target location
Auxins promote (or inhibit) cell division & elongation.
Apical Dominance = ability of terminal meristem to suppress growth of axillary (lateral)
buds behind shoot tip (= basis for understanding how plants respond to pruning)
Gibberellins = plant hormones that promote intermodal elongation
Cytokinins manipulate cell division to promote new growth and juvenility
Abscicic Acid causes growth to stop, leaves to drop and seed & bud dormancy
Ethylene is a gaseous hormone; promotes tissue aging & fruit ripening
Plant Growth Regulators = synthetic substances that act like natural homones.
Some PGR’s reduce internode elongation (B-9) = anti-Gibberellin, while
other PGR’s promote root development (Rootone). 2,4-D is a powerful PGR.
Environmental Factors Control Growth
Light – gotta have it for photosynthesis, but plants vary greatly in adaptation
Full Sun = ≥ 6-7 hours of direct sunlight
Partial Sun / Partial Shade = means many things: filtered light; some direct sun….
Full Shade = ≤ 2 hrs of direct sunlight
Temperature – refers to plant hardiness
Cold Hardiness
Heat Hardiness
Moisture – plants are unable to survive without water, but can also drown in it.
Nutrients – will be covered extensively in Chapter 5
Air – O 2 & CO 2 are necessary for plant growth and occur naturally.
Soils must have sufficient pore spaces for gaseous exchange (more in Chap 5)
Gaseous pollutants: natural gas leaks; sulfur dioxide makes acid rain, etc.
