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Plant Structure and Function

What does the plant need?

Energy
Nutrients
Support
Reproduction

Plant
Structure
Plant body
consists
of roots and
shoots
allows plants to function in terrestrial
environment
take up water and minerals from soil
absorb light
take in CO2 from air
create plant bodies from molecules
assembled from these raw materials and
products of photosynthesis

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shoot system
consists of supporting stems,
photosynthetic leaves and
reproductive structures
composed of
- nodes-point where leaves, flowers
and other stems attached
- internodes-stem between nodes
- leaves composed of photosynthetic
blades and short stalks (petioles)
that join blades to nodes
root system
anchors plant
absorbs and transports minerals,
water and stores food
ultimate site of absorption is root hair
- outgrowth of epidermal cells
- increases absorptive surface area

The leaf blade

Broad expanded part of the leaf
frequently has the following
characteristics:
Large surface area
Thin with a small distance between
upper and lower surfaces

Parts of a plant
Four basic parts
Leaves
Stems
Roots
Reproductive organs

The leaf blade

These anatomical features:
Maximize the surface area while minimizing
volume
Reduce the distance that gases must diffuse
through the leaf
Remember that plant species are adapted to a
wide variety of environments.
Leaf structure varies to allow plants to
survive and grow under diverse conditions.

Why are stomata important

for photosynthesis?
Photosynthesis requires efficient gas
exchange through stomata
Interior of the leaf is moist, so a large
amount of water is lost through stomata
>90% of water loss occurs via stomata
Cuticle is impermeable to water
When plants cannot get enough water,
stomata close to preserve water at the
expense of photosynthesis

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Leaves
Produce and store energy for the plant
Vary in size and shape among plants
Important for identification

Leaf morphology and arrangement

Other characteristics used to describe
leaves include:
How they are attached to the stem
Shape of leaves
Leaf margin

Leaves: Arrangement on Stems

Alternate one leaf attached per node,

usually staggered (spiral) along stem.
Opposite - two leaves (a pair) attached per node,
Usually opposite each other.
Whorled three or more leaves attached per node,
Usually equally spaced around the node

Leaf Functions
Photosynthesis; it mainly occurs in leaves
Regulate water loss; by opening and closing guard cells
Storage; ex carbohydrate & water in chives
Support; ex tendrils on grape
Protections; ex spines on cacti
Attraction; ex bracts on poinsettia
Propagation; ex piggyback plant with plantlet on leaves

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Leaf Modifications

Leaf Modifications
Leaves can be modified to serve other
functions:
The scales of many bulbs (e.g. daffodil) are
leaves that serve as storage tissue
Tendrils (on pea, morning glory, etc.) are
modified leaves that allow plants to vine
Spines or thorns on some plants are
modified forms of leaves that protect the
plant from predation

Tendrils used by this cucumber

to cling to support

Many succulent plant have leaves

modified for storing water

The spine of cacti

The red petals of poinsettia are

actually leaves that surround
a group of flowers, help attract
pollinators to the flower

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Vascular tissue

Transports nutrients throughout a plant; such

transport may occur over long distances

Figure 36.1

Stolons

Grow on the surface of the ground

Tubers

Rhizome

Horizontal stems that grow underground

Bulb

Swollen ends of rhizomes

specialized for storing food

Vertical, underground shoots consisting

mostly of swollen storage leaves

The many layers of modified leaves attached to

the short stem by slicing an onion bulb lengthwise

Stem Functions
Support; trunk, branches and stem of all plant parts
Conduction; through phloem and xylem
Food Storage; ex Irish potato tubers
Protection; ex. Thorns on mesquite
Propagation; ex. Bulbs, runners, rhizomes
Photosynthesis; ex. Pads (called cladopylls) on cactus

: Secures plant to ground or

for epiphytes to branches
: ex sweet potato, carrot etc
: water and nutrients from soil

Propagation; ex dahlia or sweet

Pr tuberous roots
potato

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