Support and transport in plants

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Slide 1

SUPPORT AND TRANSPORT IN PLANTS

ANATOMY OF DICOT PLANTS

Slide 2

The Root

Two types of root systems

- tap root system

- adventitious root system

Slide 3

Functions of the roots

They anchor the plant firmly to the ground.

They absorb water and mineral salts.

Slide 4

External Structure of Root Tip

Root cap is made up of parenchyma cells. It protects the inner layers of the root.

The growing point is made up of meristematic cells. Some of the new cells produced replace the parenchyma cells of the root cap which were damaged.

Region of elongation – the cells comes from the growing point which begin to elongate.

The root hair region has root hairs, which absorb water and mineral salts.

Internally the cells in this region begin to differentiate into epidermis, parenchyma, sclerenchyma, xylem and phloem

Mature region has side roots and fully differentiated tissues.

Slide 5

Transverse section of young dicot root, in plan

Slide 6

Transverse section of a young dicot root in detail

Slide 7

Enlarged Root Hair

Slide 8

Functions of the various root tissues

. The root hairs of the epidermis absorb water and mineral salts.

The parenchyma of the cortex stores starch and the intercellular spaces allow water and mineral salts to pass through

The passage cells of the endodermis direct water into the xylem of the stele.

The pericycle gives rise to side roots

The xylem transports water and mineral salts from the roots to the stem and leaves. It also provides strength to the plant.

The phloem transports manufactured food from the leaves to the roots.

The vascular cambium gives rise to additional xylem and phloem as the root grows in thickness

Slide 9

The Stem

Functions of the stem:

They hold the leaves in a favourable position to receive light for photosynthesis.

They hold the flowers in a favourable position for pollination.

Most stems contain chlorophyll and they therefore manufacture food by the process of photosynthesis.

They store food and water

They transport water and mineral salts from roots to leaves