Learning Objective Identify the types of root systems found in plants. There are two types of root systems. The first is a fibrous root system which has multiple big roots that branch and form a dense mass which does not have a visible primary…
Learning Objectives Plant tissues form organs (such as leaves, stems, or roots), each of which perform a specific set of functions. Together, organs often work to form organ systems. Vascular plants have two distinct organ systems: a shoot system, and a root…
A cell is the smallest unit of a living thing. Whether comprised of one cell (like bacteria) or many cells (like a plant), we call it an organism. Thus, cells are the basic building blocks of all organisms. Eukaryotic cells are…
Learning Objectives Plants are multicellular eukaryotes with tissue systems made of various cell types that carry out specific functions. Plant tissues are composed of cells that are similar and perform a specific function. Together, tissue types combine to form organs.…
Learning Objectives Components of All Cells All cells contain these same four components: 1. plasma (cell) membrane, a phospholipid bilayer with a mosaic of proteins, which functions as a barrier between the cell and its environment. 2. cytoplasm, the region between the region of…
Learning Objectives A cell is the smallest unit of a living thing. Whether comprised of one cell (like bacteria) or many cells (like a plant, Figure ), we call it an organism. Thus, cells are the basic building blocks of all…
Angiosperms are an incredibly diverse group of plants. They have many avenues in which to specialize and speciate. Lineages of flowering plants have evolved in tandem with their pollinators by forming increasingly specialized flowers. These sets of specialized floral characteristics–including…
Learning Objectives Knowing who is related to whom in the plant world can provide important information. Often, closely related organisms will have similar life history traits, such as defense compounds or other secondary metabolites. Identifying which family an unknown plant…
Learning Objectives All flowers become fruits (Figure ). This may be surprising at first, as what we culturally refer to as a fruit is a bit different than the botanical definition. Many of the “vegetables” and other plant products (e.g. grains,…
Learning Objectives In angiosperms, pollination is defined as the placement or transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of the same flower or another flower. In gymnosperms, pollination involves pollen transfer from the male cone to the female cone. Upon…