Plants - Form and function Homework
Loss of water from the aerial parts of plants is called ________.
transpiration
Which tissue is continuous throughout these two systems?
vascular tissue
You encounter a plant that has 12 small leaflike structures arrayed along a thin tube-shaped structure. Closer examination reveals an axillary bud at the base of each of the leaflike structures. What are you looking at?
12 simple leaves arrayed along a stem.
Consider these two models of different species of cactus. Which cactus could potentially store the largest volume of water?
Both the same: The cactuses have different shapes but the same volume.
Prop roots, such as those found in maize, are aboveground structures that help support the stem of the plant. Based on their respective functions, how would you expect the surface area to volume ratios of maize prop roots and belowground roots to compare?
Both types of roots should have similar surface area to volume ratios
Consider these two models of different species of cactus. Which cactus would be likely to lose the most water via evaporation from its surfaces?
Cactus 2: It has the highest ratio of surface area to volume.
Consider these two models of different species of cactus. Which cactus would be likely to lose the most water via evaporation from its surfaces, relative to its volume?
Cactus 3: It has the highest ratio of surface area to volume.
How does continuous growth enhance the phenomenon known as phenotypic plasticity?
Continuous growth allows plants to respond to changes or challenges in their environment.
ryophyllum daigremontianum ("mother of thousands") produces hundreds of asexual baby plantlets that are genetically identical to the parent plant and can grow into mature plants. Predict whether plantlets obtained from a single parent plant but grown under different environmental conditions would likely show the same phenotypes.
Even though the plantlets are genetically identical, they would likely show different phenotypes because of phenotypic plasticity.
Both root system and shoot system in plants are involved in shared functions as well as distinct functions. Which of the following functions would be common to both roots and shoots?
Harvesting resources from the environment
A log consists of 24 alternating rings of light and dark colored wood (12 total light-colored rings and 12 total dark-colored rings). The three innermost rings are significantly narrower than the others.
It is 12 years old and likely experienced less than ideal growth conditions during its first three years.
Which of the following best describes the location of the vascular cambium in a tree trunk?
It is found just underneath the bark, regardless of how old the tree is.
Stolons, rhizomes, and tubers are examples of which part of the plant?
Modified stems
Which of the following correctly ranks the plant structures in order from lowest to highest surface area to volume ratio?
Seed, root, and leaf
What is meant by phenotypic plasticity in roots and shoots?
The ability to modify form depending on environmental conditions
When comparing root systems of corn plants growing on a square foot in a fertilized and irrigated cornfield with the root systems of natural prairie plants growing in a meadow, what result do you expect to see?
The mass and length of roots on a meadow will be higher because soil is poorer, and there is a higher diversity of plants.
Review the video to determine whether each statement about tree growth is true or false. Drag "True" or "False" to the end of each statement.
Trees undergo both primary and secondary growth. True Apical meristems produce the growth rings that develop in tree trunks. False Branches grow longer as a result of primary growth. True A nail hammered into a tree trunk two meters above ground will be carried up to higher heights as the tree grows taller. False
While walking a cornfield, you notice roots emerging from the corn stalks themselves, and you suspect that these roots are helping to hold the plants upright. These roots belong to a category of roots known as ________.
adventitious roots
The surface area of a plant's root system is substantially larger than the surface area of its shoot system. The extensive surface area of roots is an adaptation associated with ________.
contact with soil particles for mineral and water absorption
What is a disadvantage of having small, needlelike leaves?
decreased efficiency of light capture
Pines have needlelike leaves, with the adaptive advantage of ________.
decreased surface area, reducing water loss
Axillary buds _____.
have dormant meristematic cells
Plants that have leaves arranged in a rosette
have greatly shortened internodes.
When you eat Brussels sprouts, you are eating _____.
large axillary buds
How would you expect the root system of a plant grown by hydroponics to compare to the root system of a plant grown in poor soil? The root system of a plant grown by hydroponics would be ________.
less developed
A potato is a type of ________ known as a ________.
modified stem; tuber
Which type of modified stems grow horizontally belowground and produce new plants at nodes?
rhizomes
Which of the following is/are produced by the vascular cambium?
secondary xylem secondary phloem growth rings in wood
Strolling in the Sonoran Desert, you come upon a stately Saguaro cactus. The large central "trunks" of this cactus are covered with numerous smaller spines. The central stalks are modified _________ used for water storage and spines are modified ______ used for protection.
stems; leaves
