Plant Anatomy
What are the main functions of roots in plants?
Absorption of water and minerals, anchorage, storage, and competition.
What is the purpose of flowers in angiosperms?
Flowers facilitate pollination and protect the developing embryo by producing seeds
What are gymnosperms?
Gymnosperms are plants with "naked seeds" not enclosed in fruit, using cones for reproduction.
What are some adaptations plants have made for terrestrial life?
Adaptations include the waxy cuticle, roots for anchorage, and stomata for gas exchange.
Define simple fruits and give examples.
Simple fruits develop from one ovary of a single flower, like tomatoes and cherries.
How do fibrous roots differ from tap roots?
Fibrous roots are highly branched and thin, common in monocots; tap roots have a large central root, typical in dicots.
Define a ‘complete flower’ and an ‘incomplete flower.’
A complete flower has sepals, petals, stamens, and pistils, while an incomplete flower is missing one or more parts
Differentiate between microspores and megaspores in gymnosperms.
Microspores develop into male gametophytes (pollen), while megaspores form female gametophytes (ovules).
Explain alternation of generations in plants.
Plants alternate between a haploid gametophyte and diploid sporophyte stage, producing gametes and spores, respectively.
What is the difference between dehiscent and indehiscent fruits?
Dehiscent fruits split open to release seeds, while indehiscent fruits remain closed.
What role do stomata play in water conservation?
Stomata allow gas exchange and regulate water loss through transpiration by opening and closing.
What happens during double fertilization in angiosperms?
One sperm fertilizes the egg to form a zygote, and another fuses with two polar nuclei to form triploid endosperm, providing nutrients to the embryo.
How do reproductive strategies in gymnosperms differ from angiosperms?
Gymnosperms rely on cones and wind pollination, while angiosperms use flowers and fruits to attract pollinators.
How does leaf morphology differ between plants in wet versus dry environments?
Dry environment leaves are small and thick to reduce water loss; wet environment leaves are larger to maximize light capture.
How does fruit aid in seed dispersal?
Fruits protect seeds and attract animals, which disperse seeds through excretion or carrying them to new locations.
How does xylem differ from phloem in plant vascular systems?
Xylem transports water and minerals from roots upward; phloem distributes sugars from photosynthesis throughout the plant.
What differentiates a perfect flower from an imperfect flower?
A perfect flower has both male and female parts, while an imperfect flower has only one.
What advantages do seeds offer to gymnosperms and angiosperms?
Seeds protect embryos, store food, and enable plants to remain dormant until germination.
What is transpiration and its role in plant water management?
Transpiration is water loss through leaves, aiding nutrient transport and cooling.
Describe adaptations for wind dispersal in seeds.
Seeds for wind dispersal are lightweight with structures like wings or plumes to carry them through the air.
Compare the leaf structures of monocots and dicots.
Monocots have parallel veins, while dicots have a net-like vein structure, with dicots often showing compound leaves.
Explain how angiosperms use fruit to aid in seed dispersal.
Fruits protect seeds and often attract animals that eat the fruit, aiding seed dispersal through excretion or carrying the seed away.
Why is the gymnosperm’s seed important for survival?
The seed allows embryos to withstand harsh conditions and disperse over long distances.
Why is vascular tissue critical for plant evolution on land?
Vascular tissue allows efficient nutrient and water transport, supporting larger growth and adaptation to varied habitats.
How do animals contribute to seed dispersal?
Animals eat fruits and excrete or transport seeds, aiding in spreading plants across habitats.