VEGETATIVE STRUCTURES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

ROOTS
- Hypocotyl – axis below the cotyledons, formation of roots
- Radicle – first root to appear during germination
- Cotyledon – storage of nutrients during plant growth
- Primary root – evident in the taproot system, dominant root
- Secondary roots – evident in the taproot system, roots growing from the
dominant root
- Adventitious roots – roots that grow from different parts of the plants,
excluding the primary roots

TYPES OF ROOT SYSTEMS:

- Taproot
- Fibrous/diffuse

FUNCTIONS OF ROOTS
- Storage
- Support
- Anchorage
- Transport
- Growth

ROOT STRUCTURE
- Root cap – cells secrete mucigel that acts as a lubricant for protection and
absorption
- Quiescent center – contain inactive cells that are stuck at the G1 phase,
reservoir of cells
- Zone of cell division – contain cells that undergo cell division
- Zone of elongation – uptake of water in the vacuole, causing increase in
length
 - Zone of maturation – for increased absorption and transport of nutrients

3 LAYERS
- Epidermis
- Cortex
 Hypodermis
 Storage parenchyma cells
 Endodermis
- Stele
 Pericycle
 Pith
 Dicots do not have defined piths
 Monocots have defined piths
 Vascular tissues
 Dicots have scattered and alternating tissues
 Monocots have tissues arranged in a ring

MODIFIED ROOTS
- Aerial roots – used in absorption of water from the air
- Prop roots
- Climbing aerial roots
- Buttress roots
- Storage roots
- Root tubers
- Pneumatophores – absorption of oxygen in the atmosphere for semi-
aquatic plants
- Long adventitious roots
- Nodules – knot-like outgrowths which form symbiotic associations with
roots
 STEMS
- Epicotyl – axis above the cotyledons, formation of stems

FUNCTIONS OF STEMS
- Support
- Storage
- Transport
- Photosynthesis
- Anchorage
- Defense

PARTS OF STEMS
- Nodes – segments where branches and leaves are attached
- Internodes – areas between nodes
- Lenticels – used in gas exchange
- Leaf scars – marks of areas where leaves were previously present
- Buds – formation of flowers, twigs, or leaves

INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF STEMS

- Vascular tissues
 Dicots have tissues arranged in a ring
 Monocots have scattered and alternating tissues
- Secondary xylem – used in determining the age of a tree through annual
rings
- Summerwood and springwood – used in determining the conditions of
rings during specific seasons
- Cork cambium – form the outside layer or bark of the tree
MODIFIED STEMS
- Stolons or runners – used in asexual reproduction
- Tendrils and twining shoots – used in the support and anchorage of plants
- Thorns – for protection of the plant
- Succulent stems – used in absorption of CAM plants
- Bulbs – fleshy stems
- Rhizomes – underground stems
- Corms – contains stored foods
- Tubers – used in storage of starch

LEAVES
PARTS OF LEAVES
- Petiole – stem connecting the leaf to the branch
- Midrib – primary vein extending from the petiole
- Vein – clusters of vascular tissues arising from the midrib
- Leaf blade
 Apex – tip of the leaf blade
 Margin – border of the leaf blade
 Base – lower area of the leaf blade
 Stipule
- Leaf sheath – part of the base that completely covers the stem

DICOT LEAF VS. MONOCOT LEAF

- Monocot leaf
 Bulliform cells cause inward folding when dehydrated to prevent
desiccation and are present in the upper epidermis
 Bundle sheath cells are made up of sclerenchyma
 Kranz anatomy – vascular bundles are surrounded with bundle
sheath cells
 Guard cells are found in both the upper and lower epidermis
 Parallel venation
  Mesophylls are undifferentiated
- Dicot leaf
 Bulliform cells are present in few numbers
 Bundle sheath cells are made up of collenchyma
 Guard cells are found in the lower epidermis
 Netted venation
 Mesophyll is differentiated into:
 Spongy layer
 Palisade

MODIFIED LEAVES
- Spines – protect the plant against herbivory
- Bracts – used in attraction for pollination
- Tendrils
- Window leaves – upper part of the leaf is transparent
- Stone plants
- Hinged leaves
- Pitcher plants