Plant Systems

Front

Xylem Noun

---

[zy-lem]

Back

Xylem

---

The vascular tissue in plants that transports water and dissolved nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant.

---

Example: This cross-section of a plant stem shows xylem (the inner, orange-banded tissue) grouped with phloem in a vascular bundle to transport materials.

Front

Phloem Noun

---

[flo-em]

Back

Phloem

---

The vascular tissue in plants that transports sugars, produced during photosynthesis, from the leaves to other parts of the plant.

---

Example: This diagram shows that phloem (orange arrows) transports sugars made during photosynthesis from the leaves to all other parts of the plant for energy.

Front

Photosynthesis Noun

---

[fo-to-sin-thuh-sis]

Back

Photosynthesis

---

The process by which green plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create their own food and release oxygen.

---

Example: This diagram shows a plant taking in sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose (food) and release oxygen, illustrating the process of photosynthesis.

Front

Stomata Noun

---

[sto-mah-tah]

Back

Stomata

---

Small pores, typically on the underside of leaves, that allow for gas exchange and are controlled by guard cells.

---

Example: This image shows a microscopic view of a stoma, a tiny pore on a leaf, illustrating how it allows carbon dioxide (CO₂) to enter and oxygen (O₂) and water vapor (H₂O) to exit the plant.

Front

Guard Cells Noun

---

[gard selz]

Back

Guard Cells

---

A pair of specialized cells that surround a stoma and regulate its opening and closing to manage water loss.

---

Example: This diagram shows two swollen guard cells that have taken in water (H₂O), causing them to bend and open the pore (stoma) between them.

Front

Apical Meristem Noun

---

[ay-pi-kul mer-i-stem]

Back

Apical Meristem

---

A region of actively dividing cells found at the tips of roots and shoots, responsible for primary growth in length.

---

Example: This diagram shows the apical meristem, a region of actively dividing cells at the tip of a plant root, which is responsible for primary growth (lengthening).

Front

Pollination Noun

---

[pol-i-nay-shun]

Back

Pollination

---

The transfer of pollen from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma, enabling fertilization in plants.

---

Example: A pollinator, like a bee, transfers pollen from one flower to the stigma of another flower, which is the first step in plant reproduction.

Front

Pistil Noun

---

[pis-til]

Back

Pistil

---

The female reproductive organ of a flower, which includes the stigma, style, and ovary that contains the ovules.

---

Example: This diagram shows a cross-section of a flower, clearly labeling the pistil as the central female reproductive part, including its ovary and ovules.

Front

Stamen Noun

---

[stay-men]

Back

Stamen

---

The male reproductive organ of a flower, which includes the anther and filament, and is responsible for producing pollen.

---

Example: This diagram shows the parts of a stamen: the filament (stalk) and the anther. The anther contains pollen sacs that produce and release pollen grains.

Front

Fertilization Noun

---

[fur-ti-li-zay-shun]

Back

Fertilization

---

The fusion of male and female gametes to form a zygote, leading to the development of a seed in plants.

---

Example: This diagram shows a pollen grain on the stigma growing a pollen tube down to the ovule, where sperm cells will fertilize the egg.