Dicotyledonous Plant Anatomy
Primary Vegetative Organs
Roots: Anchor the plant and absorb water and mineral salts from the
soil.
Stems: Link the leaves to the roots and provide support for the
leaves and reproductive structures.
Leaves: Produce sugars by photosynthesis.
Roots
Lies below the surface of the soil and is part of a plant body that
bears no leaves, and therefore also lacks nodes.
Can also be aerial (growing above ground).
Absorbs water and mineral salts from the soil.
Main Functions
Firmly anchors the plant in the soil.
Stores food.
Provides a means of reproduction.
Root System Development
Most terrestrial plants have a true root system. After germination of a
seed, 2 types of root systems develop:
Taproot System:
o Primary root remains the largest.
o Grows vertically downward, and a number of smaller
secondary roots (lateral roots) are formed from it.
o Most dicotyledons produce taproots.
Fibrous Root System:
o Composed of a large number of roots nearly equal in size.
o Found mainly in monocotyledons (e.g., grasses).
o Also known as adventitious roots.
External Structure of a Root
The root is made up of 6 regions:
1. Root Cap
2. Region of Cell Division (Meristematic Region)
3. Region of Cell Elongation
4. Region of Root Hairs (Maturation Region)
5. Region of Differentiation
6. Region of Mature Primary (Permanent) Tissues
7. Region of Secondary Tissue Growth (Woody Roots)
Root Tip
Protected by the root cap.
Behind the tip lies the apical meristem, a tissue of actively dividing
cells (meristematic tissue).
As the cells of the root cap are rubbed off, new cells from the apical
meristem replace them.
Region of Cell Division
Contains the apical meristem.
Region of Cell Elongation
Cells grow bigger and larger.
Region of Root Hairs
Root hairs are simple extensions of epidermal cells near the root tip.
Increase surface area for water absorption.
New root hairs are constantly formed as older ones break or
degenerate.
Region of Differentiation
Cells differentiate, and the first primary phloem and xylem are seen.
Differentiate = change in structure and physiology into cells of a
specific type.
Region of Mature Primary (Permanent) Tissues
All parts of the vascular stele, cortex, and epidermis are obvious.
Region of Secondary Tissue Growth (Woody Roots)
Secondary xylem and phloem add width to the root.
Internal Structure of a Root
3 Regions (Outermost to Innermost):
1. Epidermis
2. Cortex
3. Central / Vascular Cylinder (Stele)
Epidermis
Single layer of thin-walled cells.
No cuticle present.
Root hair cells form from certain epidermal cells - short-lived and
only remain functional for a few days.
Cortex
Lies beneath the epidermis.
Contains parenchyma cells with large intercellular air spaces.
Inner layer is known as the endodermis.
Functions:
o Absorption of water and dissolved mineral salts. This process
is increased by the presence of root hairs.
o Conducts water and dissolved minerals across the root from
the epidermis to the vascular cylinder.
o Parenchyma cells store food (starch) formed from sucrose and
transported downward from the leaves.
Endodermis contains Casparian strips (a thick, waterproof, waxy
band that prevents water and minerals from passively seeping
between the cells).
Endodermis, due to the Casparian strips, regulates the flow of water
and minerals between the cortex and stele.
Central Vascular Cylinder (Stele)
Forms a continuous system of vascular tissue from the root tips to
the leaves.
Pericycle: Outer part, thin-walled cells; responsible for forming
lateral roots.
Stele: Inner part and consists of:
o Primary phloem, which lies between the flutes (grooves) of the
xylem: transports organic substances (food).
o Solid, fluted core of primary xylem: transports water and
mineral salts.
Functions of Tissues in the Root
Epidermis: Protects tissues in the root.
Root hair: Increase surface area of root for water absorption.
Parenchyma: Stores starch, lets water and mineral salts pass
through to the xylem.
Endodermis: Regulates water movement (Casparian strips).
Pericycle: Forms lateral roots.
Phloem: Transports organic substances (food).
Xylem: Transports water and mineral salts.
Stem
Aerial part of the plant that bears leaves and flowers.
Main stem is continuous with the root system.
Divided into:
o Nodes (points where leaves are or were attached).
o Internodes (length of stem between nodes).
Leaves and stem together are called the shoot.
Lateral branches develop from buds found in the angle between the
leaf and the stem (Axillary buds).
Tissues of the Stem
Pith is a central core of parenchyma cells.
Vascular bundles are arranged in a ring (cylinder) around the pith
and consist of:
o Xylem on the inside.
o Phloem on the outside.
o Vascular cambium: a ring of meristematic cells between xylem
and phloem.
o Sclerenchyma cap (pericycle) on the outside of the phloem.
Cortex of parenchyma cells surrounds the vascular bundles.
Collenchyma is found under the epidermis.
Epidermis forms the outer layer.
Main Functions of the Stem
Provides support leaves to absorb light for photosynthesis.
Provides support flowers for pollination.
Provides fruits for distribution of seeds.
Transports/conducts water and mineral salts from root to the leaves
for photosynthesis.
Transports organic substances (food) from leaves to the rest of the
plant where they are needed.
Stores food (starch) and sometimes water (euphorbias).
External Structure of a Stem
Node: Area where leaves and side branches develop.
Internode: Area between two nodes.
Terminal bud: Tip of stem, contains meristematic tissues that divides
to form new cells (mitosis).
Axillary buds: Develop into lateral branches or flowers, found
between petiole and the stem.
Internal Structure of a Stem
The arrangement of tissues from the outermost to the innermost layers:
1. Epidermis
2. Hypodermis (Collenchyma)
3. Cortex (Parenchyma)
4. Endodermis
5. Pericycle
6. Vascular bundle (Phloem, Cambium, Xylem)
7. Pith
8. Medullary rays
Functions of Tissues in the Stem
Tissue Function
Epidermis Protects tissues in the stem
Cuticle Prevents loss of water
Stomata Assists in gaseous exchange
Collenchym
Strengthening tissue
a
Stores organic substances (food) and assists in gaseous
Parenchyma
exchange
Pith Stores starch
Endodermis Protects vascular bundles and provides support to stem
Sclerenchy
Provides support to stem
ma
Xylem Transport water and mineral salts
Phloem Transports organic substances (food)
Cambium Assists in secondary thickening