Exercise 17

The Morphology of the Stem

The stem is a plant organ that connects the aerial parts of the plant to the roots.
Externally, this organ provides attachment of the leaves and fruits and hold these
organs above the ground for them to maximize exposure to sunlight and acquisition of
carbon dioxide. These factors improved the photosynthetic capacity of the plants.

Objectives:

After the exercise, the students must be able to:

1. Identify the structures found in the external parts of the plant.

Materials:

Stem of gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

Stem of corn (Zea mays)

Procedure:
1. Examine the stem of gumamela. Identify the following structures:

Node- the part of the stem where leaves are attached. The node when leaf is
removed show the leaf scar. At the central part of the scar one can observe the
bundle scar.

Internode- the section between two nodes. In the older part of the stem look for
tiny openings the lenticels. These pores perform the function of gaseous
exchange.

Buds – undeveloped structures made up of meristematic cells that may either

form leaves, flowers or branches.
Terminal buds – are located at the apex of the stem and branches.
Axillary buds – are found on the leaf axils.

2. Examine the stem of a corn. Identify the following parts:

Node – this is a part where leaf sheath attached to the stem. This surrounds the
stem and appear ring-like. This characterized the node of a monocot plant.

Internode – the part between two nodes.

Drawings:

Morphology of a young dicot Stem

Inter node node

Bud scales Terminal node

One year old

growth

One year old

Axillary bud
branch
scales
Leaf scar

Two year old

growth
 Morphology of the Monocot Steam

Infloresence

ligule Blade

node

culm

sheath
Collar
Questions:

1. Describe the structure of the lenticel.

 Lenticels are found as raised circular, oval, or elongated areas

on stems and roots. In woody plants, lenticels commonly appear
as rough, cork-like structures on young branches. Underneath
them, porous tissue creates a number of large intercellular
spaces between cells.

2. Did you find lenticels in the monocot stem?

 Yes, all stems have lenticels. These tissues function as pores

and are involved in promoting gaseous exchange. They help in
oxygen entrance and the output of carbon dioxide and water
vapor.

3. Give the function of the leaf sheath

 Leaf sheath is an elongated, cylindrical structure that encloses

younger parts of the shoot. Its major function is to protect
younger shoots inside of it and to support the whole plant, which
explains why there are very few chloroplasts found in the sheath
mesophyll.

REFERENCES

 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978012088765150
0075