Chapter 35—Stem Structure and Transport

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. __________ are responsible for absorption and anchoring of a plant, while __________ are involved
in photosynthesis.
a. Roots; leaves
b. Stems; leaves
c. Leaves; reproductive structures
d. Reproductive structures; stems
e. Roots; pollen
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 744 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

2. Which of the following is not a function of stems?

a. modified for sexual reproduction
b. absorb nutrient minerals
c. produce new tissues
d. transport water and dissolved nutrient minerals
e. support leaves and flowers
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 744-745 OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

3. The outermost cell layer of herbaceous stems is the:

a. bark.
b. cortex.
c. endodermis.
d. epidermis.
e. periderm.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 745 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

4. Which of the following statements about the cortex is true?

a. It secretes a protective layer of cutin.
b. It is at the core of the herbaceous eudicot stem.
c. It is filled with cork cells.
d. It translocates sugar by means of a pressure gradient.
e. It may contain collenchyma and sclerenchyma.
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: p. 745 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

5. One function of cortical parenchyma cells is:

a. photosynthesis.
b. to provide structural support and strength.
c. to produce cutin.
d. to conduct water and nutrient minerals.
e. to conduct sugars.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 745 OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

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 6. Dissolved sugars are transported in:
a. cork cambium.
b. epidermis.
c. pith.
d. phloem.
e. xylem.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 745 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

7. At the core of an herbaceous eudicot stem is:

a. pith.
b. collenchyma.
c. sclerenchyma.
d. vascular cambium.
e. phloem.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 745 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

8. Unlike herbaceous eudicot stems, monocot stems do not have distinct areas of cortex and pith. Instead,
their __________ functions as the cortex and pith.
a. endodermis
b. ground tissue
c. meristem
d. vascular cambium
e. periderm
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 745-746 OBJ: Bloom's: Application

9. Which of the following statements about monocots is true?

a. They lack sclerenchyma tissue.
b. They have a well-developed vascular cambium.
c. They do not produce bark.
d. Their lateral meristems give rise to wood.
e. Secondary growth occurs rather slowly.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 746 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

10. In monocots such as palms considerable increase in girth is achieved by:

a. secondary growth.
b. primary growth.
c. a modified form of primary growth in which parenchyma cells divide and enlarge.
d. enlargement of primary xylem.
e. enlargement of primary phloem.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 746 OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

11. The thin layer of meristematic cells located between xylem and phloem is referred to as the:
a. apical meristem.
b. collenchyma.
c. cork cambium.
d. vascular cambium.
e. pith.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 746 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

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12. Secondary growth occurs as a result of the activity of which two lateral meristems?
a. vascular cambium and cork cambium
b. apical meristem and cork cambium
c. primary meristem and secondary meristem
d. periderm and cork cambium
e. apical meristem and vascular cambium
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 746 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

13. Vascular cambium gives rise to which of the following tissues?

a. primary phloem
b. periderm
c. epidermis
d. secondary xylem
e. cork cambium
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 746 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

14. Cork cambium and the tissues it produces are collectively known as:
a. periderm.
b. epidermis.
c. xylem.
d. pith.
e. cortex.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 746 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

15. Cells produced on the inside of the vascular cambium differentiate to form which vascular tissue?
a. cork cambium
b. primary phloem
c. primary xylem
d. secondary phloem
e. secondary xylem
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: p. 747 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

16. Periderm is produced by:

a. xylem.
b. cork cambium.
c. pith.
d. cortex.
e. phloem.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 746 | p. 750
OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

17. __________ is the functional replacement for the epidermis.

a. Xylem
b. Periderm
c. Pith
d. Cortex
e. Periderm
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 750 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

Chapter 35—Stem Structure and Transport 529

 Figure 35-2
Use the figure to answer the corresponding questions.

18. The structure labeled 3 in Figure 35-2 is:

a. the secondary xylem.
b. formed by the division of the vascular cambium.
c. found adjacent to the pith.
d. usually referred to as wood.
e. the cork cambium.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 748 OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

19. Which of the following is not true concerning the structure labeled 2 in Figure 35-2?
a. It is known as periderm.
b. It is produced by cork cambium (not shown).
c. It is composed largely of primary tissue.
d. It is composed largely of cells that are dead at maturity.
e. It is commonly called outer bark.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 748 OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

20. The function of the structure labeled 1 in Figure 35-2 is:

a. the formation of pith.
b. protection.
c. conduction of water and dissolved minerals from the roots.
d. conduction of sugars from the leaves.
e. photosynthesis.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 748 OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

21. Secondary xylem contains all of the following cell types except:
a. tracheids.
b. vessel elements.
c. sieve tube elements
d. fibers.
e. parenchyma.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 747 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

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22. Although the same cell types can be found in both primary and secondary phloem, which type of cell
is usually more abundant in secondary phloem?
a. parenchyma
b. fibers
c. vessel elements
d. companion cells
e. sieve tube members
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 747 OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

23. In woody plants, the horizontal transport of materials occurs through:

a. lenticels.
b. pith.
c. pith rays.
d. phloem fiber caps.
e. rays.
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: p. 748 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

Figure 35-3
Use the figure to answer the corresponding question(s).

24. The basswood in Figure 35-3 is __________ years old.

a. 0
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 749 OBJ: Bloom's: Application

Chapter 35—Stem Structure and Transport 531

25. The cell layer responsible for the production of cork cells in Figure 35-3 is:
a. 2.
b. 3.
c. 4.
d. 9.
e. 11.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 749-750 OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

26. Which structure in Figure 35-3 is responsible for lateral transport of dissolved sugars in this woody
plant?
a. 3
b. 4
c. 7
d. 8
e. 9
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: p. 748-750 OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

27. Functional secondary xylem that conducts water and dissolved minerals is known as:
a. softwood.
b. springwood.
c. hardwood.
d. sapwood.
e. heartwood.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 750 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

28. Softwood is the wood:

a. found at the center of a tree.
b. of cone-bearing gymnosperms.
c. of flowering plants.
d. formed when water is abundant.
e. formed when water is less abundant.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 751 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

29. Sapwood develops from __________.

a. secondary xylem
b. secondary phloem
c. primary phloem
d. primary xylem
e. cork parenchyma
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 751 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

30. Which of the following statements about heartwood is false?

a. It functions in conduction.
b. It is a storage site for waste products.
c. It is resistant to decay.
d. It provides structural support.
e. It is located in the center of a tree.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 750 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

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31. __________ is the wood of flowering plants and __________ is the wood of conifers.
a. Hardwood; softwood
b. Summer wood; spring wood
c. Softwood; hardwood
d. Spring wood; summer wood
e. Heartwood; softwood
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 751 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

32. Embryonic shoots located at the tips of stems are called __________, while those located in the angle
between leaves and stems are known as __________.
a. nodes; internodes
b. axillary buds; terminal buds
c. terminal buds; axillary buds
d. axillary buds; lateral buds
e. bud scales; bud scale scars
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 750 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

33. Concentric rings found in the wood of the trees are known as:
a. summer rings.
b. spring rings.
c. annual rings.
d. dendrochrons.
e. pith rings.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 751 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

Figure 35-1
Use the figure to answer the corresponding question(s).

Chapter 35—Stem Structure and Transport 533

34. The age of the twig in Figure 35-1 is __________ years.
a. 0
b. 1
c. 2
d. 3
e. 5
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 751 OBJ: Bloom's: Application

35. The structure labeled __________ in Figure 35-1 is formed in the leaf scars by vascular tissue that
extends from the stem out into the leaf.
a. 5
b. 6
c. 7
d. 8
e. 9
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: p. 751 OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

36. Lenticels function to:

a. protect undeveloped embryonic shoots.
b. allow the diffusion of oxygen into woody stems.
c. support leaves and flowers.
d. absorb water and dissolved nutrient minerals.
e. anchor a plant in the ground.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 750 OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

37. Dendrochronology can be useful in determining:

a. the dates of past earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
b. future climate patterns.
c. the solution to global warming.
d. how tree growth affects air pollution.
e. the time of day.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 752 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

38. Xylem transports water and dissolved nutrient minerals in which direction?
a. upward
b. downward
c. inward laterally
d. outward laterally
e. both upward and downward
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 753 OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

39. Water moves from a region of __________ water potential to a region of __________ water potential.
a. more positive; less positive
b. less positive; more positive
c. less negative; more negative
d. more negative; less negative
e. more negative; zero
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 754 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

Chapter 35—Stem Structure and Transport 534

40. Water is capable of rising to the tops of the tallest trees due to all of the following except:
a. the hydrogen bonds among water molecules.
b. the cohesiveness of water molecules.
c. the adhesion of water to the walls of xylem cells.
d. the evaporative pull of transpiration.
e. root pressure.
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: p. 754-756 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

41. Before being loaded into the phloem for translocation, the carbohydrates produced during
photosynthesis must be converted into which molecule?
a. glucose
b. fructose
c. maltose
d. sucrose
e. galactose
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 756 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

42. Sugar is translocated in phloem from a source, or an area of __________, to a sink, or an area of
__________.
a. low sugar concentration; high sugar concentration
b. high sugar concentration; low sugar concentration
c. positive water potential; negative water potential
d. negative water potential; positive water potential
e. low pressure; equally low pressure
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 756 OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

43. Guttation results from __________.

a. water pressure
b. transpiration pull
c. osmotic pressure
d. root pressure
e. sink-to-source transport.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 756 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

44. __________ is the predominant photosynthetic product carried in phloem.

a. Glucose
b. Cellulose
c. Sucrose
d. Maltose
e. Fructose
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 756 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

45. The loading of dissolved sugars into the sieve tube elements of phloem is:
a. passive transport.
b. active transport.
c. osmosis.
d. simple diffusion.
e. facilitated diffusion.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 756 OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

Chapter 35—Stem Structure and Transport 535

 46. According to the pressure-flow hypothesis:
a. water moves from an area of positive water potential to an area of negative water
potential.
b. the evaporative pull of transpiration produces tension at the top of the plant.
c. the flow of sugar is driven by a hydrostatic pressure gradient produced by water entering
the phloem.
d. pressure is created by the movement of water into the roots from the soil.
e. the column of water pulled up through the plant is unbroken due to cohesive and adhesive
properties.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 756 OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

47. Using severed aphid mouthparts, scientists have verified that in most species the phloem translocates
mostly __________, but that __________ may also be translocated.
a. glucose; amino acids
b. glucose; sugar alcohols
c. glucose; cellulose and starch
d. sucrose; raffinose and sorbitol
e. sucrose; glucose
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 757 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

SHORT ANSWER

1. Compare and contrast the structure of an herbaceous eudicot stem and that of a monocot.

ANS:
Monocot and eudicot stems are similar in that they have an epidermis surrounding a region of ground
tissue and vascular bundles. In eudicots, the vascular bundles are arranged in a ring that surrounds a
central pith; the ground tissue outside the ring is cortex. In monocots, the vascular bundles are
scattered throughout the ground tissue, and as a result pith and cortex are lacking.

PTS: 1 REF: p. 745-747 OBJ: Bloom's: Analysis

2. Diagram and label a cross section of 1) a woody stem before the vascular cambium becomes active
and 2) a woody stem from the same plant after the vascular cambium has been active for a
considerable length of time.

ANS:
Your first diagram should be similar to that shown in Fig. 35-3 part 1, and your second diagram should
be similar to that shown in Fig. 35-3 part 3.

PTS: 1 REF: p. 748 OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

3. Identify four external features of a woody twig and briefly explain the function and/or origin of each.

ANS:
terminal bud at the tip and lateral buds in leaf axils: embryonic shoots
bud scale scars: indicate where bud scales were located previously
leaf scars: indicate where each leaf was previously attached to the stem
bundle scars: indicate where vascular tissues are located within the leaf scar
lenticels: regions of gas exchange on the stem

Chapter 35—Stem Structure and Transport 536

 PTS: 1 REF: p. 750 | p. 751 OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

4. Use the following points to compare transpiration and translocation.

1. Principle substance(s) transported
2. Direction of transport
3. Tissue through which transport occurs
4. Name of model that explains the process
5. Does the plant expend energy to carry out the process?

ANS:
1. Transpiration: water and minerals; translocation: dissolved sugars
2. Transpiration: upward; translocation: both upward and downward
3. Transpiration: xylem; translocation: phloem
4. Transpiration: tension-cohesion (or transpiration-cohesion) model; translocation: pressure-flow
model
5. Transpiration: no; translocation: only to load/unload sugars

PTS: 1 REF: p. 753-757 OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

MODIFIED TRUE/FALSE

1. Immediately inside the epidermis of a eudicot stem is the pith.

____________________

ANS: F, cortex
PTS: 1 REF: p. 745 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

2. In the very center of a monocot stem is found pith.

____________________

ANS: F, eudicot
PTS: 1 REF: p. 745 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

3. In a monocot stem, vascular bundles are arranged in a circle.

____________________

ANS: F, eudicot
PTS: 1 REF: p. 745 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

4. When cells of the vascular cambium divide, they produce xylem toward the outside.
____________________

ANS: F, phloem
PTS: 1 REF: p. 747 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

5. Periderm is the functional replacement of the bark.

____________________

ANS: F, epidermis
PTS: 1 REF: p. 750 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

Chapter 35—Stem Structure and Transport 537

 6. Bundle scars would be found within a leaf scar.
____________________

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: p. 750

OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

7. Sapwood is functional secondary xylem.

____________________

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: p. 750

OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

8. Hardwood is the wood of gymnosperms.

____________________

ANS: F, flowering plants (angiosperms)

PTS: 1 REF: p. 751 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

9. A growth ring is composed of xylem.

____________________

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: p. 751

OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

10. Water is transported vertically through the plant via the process of translocation.
____________________

ANS: F, transpiration
PTS: 1 REF: p. 753 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

11. In a plant, most water is transported vertically by being pushed to the top.
____________________

ANS: F, pulled
PTS: 1 REF: p. 754 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

12. One reason that water is able to form unbroken columns is because water molecules are cohesive.
____________________

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: p. 754

OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

13. Sucrose is translocated from source to sink.

____________________

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: p. 756

OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

14. Sugars are loaded into sieve tubes via simple diffusion.
____________________

ANS: F, active transport

PTS: 1 REF: p. 756 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

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MATCHING

Match the tissue with the appropriate description.

a. cork cambium e. periderm
b. cork parenchyma f. phloem
c. epidermis g. vascular cambium
d. ground tissue h. xylem
1. Pith is composed of this tissue.
2. This tissue is found on the inside half of a vascular bundle.
3. This tissue produces cork cells.
4. This tissue replaces the epidermis in woody plants.
5. Cortex is composed of this tissue.
6. This tissue is sandwiched in between the xylem and phloem.
7. This tissue is covered by a cuticle.
8. In a monocot, this tissue surrounds the vascular bundles.

1. ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 745 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

2. ANS: H PTS: 1 REF: p. 745 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge
3. ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 750 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge
4. ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: p. 750 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge
5. ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 745 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge
6. ANS: G PTS: 1 REF: p. 745 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge
7. ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 745 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge
8. ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 746 OBJ: Bloom's: Knowledge

ESSAY

1. How is it possible for water to defy gravity and travel from the roots to the tops of plants? Use the
tension-cohesion model to explain your answer.

ANS:
Concepts to Consider: Evaporative pull of transpiration extends from leaves to stems and roots,
drawing water upward; water is pulled up in an unbroken column due to the cohesive and adhesive
properties of water.

PTS: 1 REF: p. 754-756 OBJ: Bloom's: Application

TOP: Discussion or Thought Questions

2. If you were to take a cross section of a tree from the tropics, would you be able to determine the
accurate age of the tree? Why or why not?

ANS:
Concepts to Consider: No. Annual rings can be seen as differences in cell size between secondary
xylem formed during the summer of the previous year (when water is less plentiful) and the following
spring (when water is abundant). Tropical climates often have year-round precipitation patterns, which
may alter the number of rings shown in the trees, so an accurate determination of age is unlikely.

PTS: 1 REF: p. 751-753 OBJ: Bloom's: Application

TOP: Discussion or Thought Questions

Chapter 35—Stem Structure and Transport 539

3. Explain how dissolved sugar is transported in the phloem by means of a pressure gradient.

ANS:
Concepts to Consider: At the source, a proton pump moves H+ out of sieve tube members, causing
active transport of sugar into sieve tube members. Water moves by osmosis into sieve tubes, and
hydrostatic pressure increases inside them. At the sink, sugar is transported out of sieve tube members,
with water following. Thus, hydrostatic pressure decreases within the sieve tubes from source to sink.
Hence, sugar moves between the source and sink as it flows along the pressure gradient.

PTS: 1 REF: p. 756-757 OBJ: Bloom's: Comprehension

TOP: Discussion or Thought Questions

Chapter 35—Stem Structure and Transport 540