PLANTS

Hierarchical Organization
 Organs- consists of several types of tissues that carry out particular functions.
 Tissues- group of cells, consisting of one or more cell types, together perform a specialized function.
 Cells

Three Basic Plant Organs: (vascular plants)

-These organs form a root system and a shoot system.
1. Roots- organ that anchors a vascular plant in the soil, absorbs
minerals and water, and often stores carbohydrates.
 taproot system (most eudicots and
gymnosperms)
-consists of one main vertical root, the
taproot, which develops from an embryonic root. It gives
rise to the lateral roots (aka. branch roots).
-generally penetrate deeply and are
therefore well adapted to deep soils, where groundwater
is not close to the surface.
 fibrous root system (most monocots)
-A mat of generally thin roots spreading
out below the soil surface.
-Such roots are said to be adventitious
(Latin adventicus, extraneous), a term describing a plant
organ that grows in an unusual location.

Evolutionary adaptations of roots:

a.) Prop roots- support (ex. Hala tree)
b.) Storage roots- storage of food and water (ex. Beet)
c.) Buttress roots- support to the trunk (ex. Ceiba tree)
d.) Pneumatophores- aka "air roots" (ex. Mangroves)
-enable the root system to obtain oxygen, which is lacking in thick, waterlogged mud.

a.) Hala tree b.) Beet c.) Ceiba tree root d.)
mangroves

General Biology II SHS 2017

2. Stems- organ that raises or separates leaves, exposing them to sunlight.
-It also raise reproductive structures, facilitating dispersal of pollen and fruit.
Consists of:
 nodes- The points at which leaves are attached.
 internodes- The stem segments between nodes.
 axillary bud- The upper angle (axil) formed by each leaf and stem. Typically grow slowly.
 apical bud- aka "terminal bud". Composed of developing leaves and a compact series of nodes and
internodes.
Evolutionary adaptations of stems:
a.) Rhizomes-A horizontal shoot that grows just below the surface. (ex. ginger, turmeric)
b.) Stolon-Horizontal shoots that grow along the surface. (ex. strawberry)
-Enable plant to reproduce asexually, as plantlets form at nodes along each runner.
c.) Tubers- Enlarged ends of rhizomes or stolons specialized for storing food.
-The "eyes" of a potato are clusters of axillary buds that mark the nodes.

3. Leaves- It is the main photosynthetic organ (in most vascular plants)

-Varies extensively in form but generally consist of a flattened blade and a stalk, the petiole, which jons the
leaf to the stem at a node.
-Monocots have parallel major veins that run the length of the blade. Eudicots generally have a branched
network of major veins.

General Biology II SHS 2017

Evolutionary adaptations of leaves:
a.) Tendrils- A tendril forms a coil that brings the plant closer to the support. (ex. pea plant)
-Some tendrils are modified stems, such as in grapevines.
b.) Spines- Modified leaves for protection. (ex. Cactus)
c.) Storage leaves- Storage of water (ex. Succulents)
d.) Reproductive leaves- Produce adventitious plantlets, which fall off the leaf and take root in the soil.
e.) Bracts- Often mistaken as petals. It surrounds a group of flowers to attract pollinators. (ex. poinsettia)

General Biology II SHS 2017