cells

Question 1

Parenchyma (plant cell type)

Answer 1

most common; photosynthesis & storage
-Thin-walled, flexible
-Found in leaves, fruits, pith
-have a nuclus

Question 2

Ground Tissue System

Answer 2

What it is: The “everything else” tissue that fills the plant body.
Function:

-Parenchyma: most common; photosynthesis & storage
-Collenchyma: flexible support (think celery strings)
-Sclerenchyma: rigid support; tough, often dead at maturity

Question 3

Collenchyma (plant cell type)

Answer 3

flexible support (think celery strings)
-Unevenly thickened walls
-Flexible support in growing tissues
-Found under epidermis of stems, leaf veins

Question 4

Sclerenchyma (plant cell type)

Answer 4

rigid support; tough, often dead at maturity
-Found in fibers

Question 5

Vascular Tissue System

Answer 5

What it is: The plant’s transport system (xylem + phloem).
Function:
-Xylem: moves water and minerals from roots → leaves.
-Phloem: moves sugars/nutrients from leaves → rest of plant.
-Where it is: Found in vascular bundles in stems, leaves, and roots.

Question 6

Dermal Tissue System
in roots? in leaves/stems?

Answer 6

What it is: The outer layer of the plant (like skin in animals).
Function:
-Protects the plant from water loss, pathogens, and physical damage.
-In root hairs: helps absorb water.
-In leaves/stems: may have cuticle, trichomes (tiny hairs), or stomata.
-Examples: Epidermis, cuticle.

Question 7

Phloem Cells – Transport sugars and organic nutrients

Answer 7

Sieve tube members: These are elongated, living cells with sieve plates at their ends. They lack a nucleus at maturity and transport sugars (like sucrose) and other nutrients from sources (like leaves) to sinks (like roots or fruits). They cannot survive alone and rely on companion cells for support.

Companion cells: These are living cells with a nucleus and organelles, closely connected to sieve tube members. They provide metabolic support, help load and unload sugars, and act like a “life support system” for the sieve tubes.

Phloem fibers: Long, thick-walled cells that provide structural support but do not transport sugars.

Phloem parenchyma: Living, thin-walled cells that store nutrients and assist in lateral transport within the phloem.

Question 8

Xylem Cells – Transport water and minerals from roots to shoots

Answer 8

Tracheids: have no nulcues These are long, tapered cells with thick, lignified walls and pits (small holes) that allow water to move from cell to cell. They transport water and minerals and provide structural support. Tracheids are found in all vascular plants.

Vessel elements: These are short, wide cells with open ends that form continuous tubes. Their walls are lignified, and they transport water efficiently. Vessel elements are unique to angiosperms and allow faster water flow than tracheids.

Xylem fibers: Long, lignified cells that mainly provide structural support and are not involved in water transport.

Xylem parenchyma: Living cells with thin walls that store water and nutrients and help maintain xylem function.

✅ Key point: Only vessel elements are unique to angiosperms, while tracheids are found in all vascular plants