Biology - Chapter 6: Anatomy of Flowering Plants

Understanding Plant Structure: Tissues, Dicot vs Monocot, and Secondary Growth

1. Tissue Systems

Tissue Types / Components Function / Feature
Meristematic Tissue Apical, Lateral, Intercalary Actively dividing cells responsible for plant growth
Xylem Tracheids, Vessels Transports water and minerals
Phloem Sieve Tubes, Companion Cells Transports food (sugars)

2. Important Questions & Answers

Q1. What is meristematic tissue?
Answer: Meristematic tissue consists of actively dividing cells responsible for plant growth.
Q2. Why are xylem and phloem called complex tissues?
Answer: Because they are made up of different types of cells that work together to perform transport functions.
Q3. What is the function of stomata?
Answer: Stomata regulate gas exchange and control transpiration in plants.
Q4. Difference between dicot stem and monocot stem?
Answer: In dicot stems, vascular bundles are arranged in a ring, whereas in monocot stems, they are scattered.
Q5. What is cambium?
Answer: Cambium is a lateral meristem responsible for secondary growth in plants.
Q6. Difference between Spring Wood and Autumn Wood?
Answer: Spring wood is formed during the growing season and has larger cells, while autumn wood is formed later and has smaller, thicker-walled cells.
Q7. Difference between Heartwood and Sapwood?
Answer: Heartwood is the older, hard inner part of the stem, whereas sapwood is the outer part responsible for water conduction.