Parts of a Plant

Front

Organ Noun

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[or-gan]

Back

Organ

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A structure formed by multiple tissue types working together to perform a specific function within a plant.

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Example: This diagram shows plant organs, like the stem and leaf, and their specific parts, such as the blade and petiole which make up the leaf.

Front

Central Vacuole Noun

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[sen-truhl vak-yoo-ohl]

Back

Central Vacuole

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A large organelle in plant cells that stores water and dissolved substances, helping to maintain cellular shape and support.

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Example: This diagram shows a plant cell, highlighting the large, central vacuole that stores water and maintains pressure. The label also points to the tonoplast, its outer membrane.

Front

Cell Wall Noun

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[sel wawl]

Back

Cell Wall

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A rigid outer layer located outside the cell membrane of a plant cell that provides shape, support, and protection.

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Example: This diagram shows onion cells under a microscope, with a label clearly pointing to the cell wall, the rigid outer layer that gives the plant cell its shape.

Front

Plastids Noun

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[plas-tidz]

Back

Plastids

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A class of small organelles in plant cells responsible for functions like photosynthesis and storing food or pigments.

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Example: This diagram shows that plastids are a family of organelles in plant cells, with different types like chloroplasts for photosynthesis and others for storing substances.

Front

Chloroplasts Noun

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[klor-uh-plasts]

Back

Chloroplasts

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A specialized plastid containing chlorophyll that serves as the primary site for photosynthesis in plant and algal cells.

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Example: This diagram shows a chloroplast inside a plant leaf, labeling the key internal parts where photosynthesis occurs, such as the thylakoid and stroma.

Front

Chlorophyll Noun

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[klor-uh-fil]

Back

Chlorophyll

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The green pigment within chloroplasts that absorbs light energy from the sun, essential for the process of photosynthesis.

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Example: This image shows that chlorophyll is the pigment that gives leaves their green color, while the non-green areas of a leaf do not have chlorophyll.

Front

Parenchymal Cells Noun

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[puh-reng-kuh-muhl selz]

Back

Parenchymal Cells

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A versatile type of plant cell involved in photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and the storage of organic molecules.

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Example: This diagram shows parenchyma cells, a type of plant cell, from two views. It labels key parts like the cell wall, nucleus, and chloroplasts.

Front

Collenchymal Cells Noun

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[kuh-leng-kuh-muhl selz]

Back

Collenchymal Cells

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Elongated plant cells with unevenly thickened walls that provide flexible structural support, particularly in growing plant regions.

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Example: This diagram shows collenchyma cells, a type of plant tissue with unevenly thickened cell walls, especially at the corners, providing flexible support.

Front

Sclerenchymal Cells Noun

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[skler-eng-kuh-muhl selz]

Back

Sclerenchymal Cells

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Plant cells with thick, rigid secondary walls that provide structural support and strength to the plant.

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Example: This diagram shows a cross-section of a plant stem, where sclerenchyma tissue (labeled) provides structural support to the vascular bundles (xylem and phloem).

Front

Dermal Tissue Noun

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[dur-muhl tish-oo]

Back

Dermal Tissue

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The outermost layer of cells, also known as the epidermis, that covers and protects the plant's external surfaces.

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Example: This diagram shows a cross-section of a plant stem, highlighting the dermal tissue (epidermis) as the outermost protective layer surrounding the other tissues.