Explain each of the following terms:
Alternate leaf arrangement
Lateral root
Haustoria
Idioblast
Diacytic stomata
Hypoderms
Apocarpous ovary
Alternate leaf arrangement: This term refers to the way leaves are positioned on a stem. In an alternate leaf arrangement, one leaf grows from the stem at a time, alternating between the left and right sides of the stem.
Lateral root: A root that grows from the side of an existing root. Lateral roots are important for anchoring the plant and absorbing water and nutrients from the soil.
Haustoria: Specialized root structures that some parasitic plants develop to penetrate the tissues of other plants and extract nutrients. Haustoria can form both within the host plant's roots and on other parts of the host plant, such as stems or leaves.
Idioblast: A specialized plant cell that serves a specific function, such as storing starch or producing and storing toxins. Idioblasts are often found in plant tissues that have specialized functions, such as the fruit or seeds.
Diacytic stomata: Small pores found on the surface of leaves and stems that allow for gas exchange in the plant (carbon dioxide in, oxygen out). Diacytic stomata have two surrounding cells (the guard cells) that help regulate the opening and closing of the pore.
Hypodermis: A layer of cells found just beneath the outer surface of some plant tissues, such as leaves, stems, and roots. The hypodermis can serve a variety of functions, such as providing structural support or storing water.
Apocarpous ovary: An ovary that is divided into multiple separate compartments, each containing its own ovule(s). This is in contrast to a syncarpous ovary, which has multiple compartments but with the ovules grouped together. The term "apocarpous" comes from the Greek words apo (meaning "separate") and karpos (meaning "fruit").
1. Alternate leaf arrangement: This refers to the way leaves are positioned on a stem. In alternate leaf arrangement, a single leaf develops at a node of the stem, and then the next leaf appears at a different, alternate node further up the stem. Examples of plants with alternate leaf arrangement include oak trees and sunflowers.
2. Lateral root: A lateral root is a type of root that arises from the primary root (or main root) of a plant. Lateral roots grow horizontally from the primary root and help to anchor the plant in the soil and absorb water and nutrients. They can branch out further to form a network of roots, providing stability and support to the plant.
3. Haustoria: Haustoria are specialized structures found in certain parasitic plants. They penetrate the host plant's tissues, allowing the parasitic plant to extract nutrients and water from the host. Haustoria act like root adaptations that establish a connection between the parasitic plant and the host's vascular system, enabling the parasitic plant to obtain essential resources required for its survival.
4. Idioblast: Idioblasts are specific plant cells that can differ from the surrounding cells in terms of size, shape, or content. They may contain stored substances, such as pigments, oils, crystals, or starch granules. Idioblasts can serve various functions, such as storage, protection, mechanical support, or as a means of defense against herbivores.
5. Diacytic stomata: Stomata are tiny pores found on the surface of leaves and stems that regulate gas exchange and transpiration (the loss of water vapor). Diacytic stomata are a specific type of stomata characterized by two specialized guard cells surrounding the pore. These guard cells control the opening and closing of the stomata, allowing for the passage of gases and water vapor.
6. Hypodermis: Hypodermis refers to the layer of cells located beneath the epidermis in plants. This layer can be found in various plant organs, such as leaves and stems. The hypodermis is often composed of thick-walled cells, serving as a protective layer against external stresses and providing mechanical support to the plant.
7. Apocarpous ovary: An apocarpous ovary is a type of ovary found in certain flowers. In an apocarpous ovary, the carpels (the female reproductive parts) are separate from each other, meaning they are not fused together to form a single unit. Each carpel has its own style, stigma, and ovary, which can develop into individual fruits. Examples of plants with apocarpous ovaries include strawberries and raspberries.