BIOL227 - Tutorial 7
Plant Structure
Suggested readings: Chapter 35, pages 808-824
Land Plants
Land Plant Evolution
Growing shoot tip
Flowering
Plant Growing lateral branch
Roots
Finger-like extensions of
epidermal cells to increase the
Taproot Fibrous Root surface area of the roots.
One main vertical root Thick mat of slender roots
Grow vertically down Grow out horizontally
Plant tissues
Dermal:
• Cuticle
• Epidermis / Periderm
Vascular Tissue
Plant Cells
Parenchyma cells
o Location: Parenchyma cells form continuous
tissues in the cortex of the stem, root, and
leaf mesophyll.
o Function: They are the least specialized, or
most functionally diverse type. Functions
include photosynthesis, food storage, tannin,
gum & resins storage, wound healing, and
regeneration.
o Shape: They vary in shape, but are usually
polyhedrons, sometimes elongated or star
shaped and are loosely packed.
o Cell characteristics: They are thin with a
flexible primary cell wall, lack a secondary cell
wall, have large central vacuole, capable of
division and alive at maturity.
Collenchyma cells
o Location: collenchyma cells occur in
strands or cylinders near the cortex
of stems, near rapidly expanding
water or food storage areas and
along the veins of leaves.
o Function: They provide support to
the immature plant body.
o Shape: Their shape varies from short
prisms to considerably elongated
cells and are tightly packed.
o Cell characteristics: They have
unevenly thickened primary cell
walls, no secondary cell walls, they
are flexible and alive at maturity.
Sclerenchyma cells
o Location: Sclerenchyma cells may be
continuous masses or may occur in
small groups among other cells and
they are widely distributed
throughout plant bodies.
o Function: They provide strength &
support to mature plant body.
o Shape: There are two types of
sclerenchyma cells: sclereids (short)
and fibers (long and slender).
o Cell characteristics: They have thick
secondary walls strengthened with
lignin and are dead at maturity.
Xylem and Phloem cells
• Xylem:
• Location: Xylem cells are continuous throughout
the plant body.
• Function: They form vessels for water conduction,
food storage and support.
• Shape: There are two types of xylem cells: tracheid
and vessel elements (joined end to end to form
vessels).
• Cell characteristics: They are lignified, have both
primary and secondary walls and are dead at
maturity.
• Phloem:
• Location: Phloem cells are continuous throughout
the plant body and are always associated with
xylem.
• Function: They are for nutrient conduction and
food storage.
• Shape: Phloem consists of sieve-tube elements and
companion cells.
• Cell characteristics: They are alive, but highly
modified at maturity with primary cell walls only.
Primary VS Secondary Growth
Primary = Length
Secondary = Width
Apical meristem =
location of
meristematic
tissue, cells capable
of growth/mitosis
Mature and differentiate
Protoderm → Epidermis
Primary Ground meristem → Cortex
Procambium → Vascular (STELE)
Longer
Growth in
Roots
Protection/lubrication
Formation of a lateral root
Vascular
On Apical bud
No cap Growing leaf
Primary
Growth in
Shoots
Growing lateral branch
Secondary Secondary growth – first lateral meristem
Growth Connect secondary xylem and phloem
Secondary lateral meristem, produces cork cells to replace epidermis
Secondary Growth
Summer
Spring
Annual rings
Darker
Lighter
Monocot
VS Eudicot
Root:
Monocot
VS Eudicot
Stem: Monocot VS Eudicot Vascular
cambium
between
xylem and
phloem
Leaf:
Monocot
VS Eudicot
Read the lab document and
suggested chapter from the
textbook. Print a hard copy to
bring with you to the lab.
Reminders
Complete the pre-lab quiz on
Moodle, due before the start of
lab.
