BOT 2544

PLANT MORPHOLOGY AND ANATOMY

ASSIGNMENT: MARCH 2018

GROUP MEMBERS

NAMES AND INITIALS STUDENT NO SIGNATURE

Netangula N 11632078
Malabi W 14004787
Mushadu NP 15000798
Sikhwivhilu B M 15011186
Mutshinya F G 15018069
1

STEM TYPE DESCRIPTION FUNCTION

Underground stem
Sub-aerial stem
Resemble roots superficially Perennation and storage of
and are distinguishable by the food
presence of scale leaves and
buds at the nodes
Are stems that do not rise but For vegetative propagation
grow just above the grounds

Aerial stem They grow above grounds Gets modified to perform

Herbaceous stem Do not have developed
ligneous stiffened structure
and are generally fragile
definite functions such as;
food vegetative propagation,
climbing etc.
For food storage and
sometimes act as a site for
photosynthesis

Ligneous stem Have developed rigid stiffed For food and water
structure known as wood transportation

2.

2.1. endodermis

Is the central, innermost layer of cortex in some plants. Its made of compact living cells surrounded
by an outer ring of endodermal cells that are impregnated with hydrophobic substances to resist
apoplectic flow of water to the inside. The endodermis prevents water and any solutes dissolved in
the water from passing through this layer through apoplast pathway. It also regulates the movement
of water, ions and hormones in and out of the vascular system and may also store starch; when
involved in perception of gravity and protect plant against toxins moving into the vascular system( ).

2.2. casparian strips

Is a bond of cell wall material deposited in the radial and transverse walls of the endodermis and is
chemically different from the rest of the cell walls; the cell wall being made of lignin and without
suberin and sometimes lignin. They serve as boundary layer separating the apoplast of the cortex from
the apoplast of the vascular tissue thereby blocking diffusion of material between the two casparian
strips differentiate after an outward growth of the cortex is completed

2.3. Endodermis prevents water and any solution dissolved from passing through this layer through
the apoplast pathway. Water can only pass through the endodermis by crossing the membrane of
endodermal cells twice (once to enter and secondly to exit). water moving in or out of xylem; which is
part of the apoplast can thereby be regulated since it must enter the symplast in the endodermis. this
allows the plant to control to some degree the movement of water and to selectively uptake prevent
the passage of ion or other molecule.
4. the symbiotic root nodule, an organ formed on leguminous plants it’s a product of successful
interactions between the host plant and the soil bacteria, Rhizobium spp. Plant hormones play a vital
role in the formation of plant organ. The hormonal balance appears to be modulated by the signals
produced by bacteria. Many host genes induced during nodule organogenesis and the symbiotic state
have been identified and characterized from several legumes. These genes have encoded nodulins
which perform diverse functions in root nodule development and metabolism. Formation of
subcellular compartment housing the bacteria is essential to sustain the symbiotic state, and several
nodulins are involved in maintaining the integrity and function of this compartment the Bacteroide
enclosed in the peribacteroid membrane behaves as an organelle, completely dependent on the host
for all its requirements for carbon, nitrogen and other essential elements. Thus, it seems likely that
the nodulins in the peribacteroid membrane perform specific transport functions.

5. pericycle is a unique layer of a cell; in plants it was named after its position which is encircling tissue
in stem and roots.

Pericycle play role in both roots and shoots. In the roots it is required for xylem loading, also essential
for lateral root initiation and later become involved in secondary growth.

6.

7.1.

7.2.

The roots of plants in xeric condition are adapted as follows: the roots system is well developed,
extensive and much branched. Roots that have adapted to xeric condition reach greater depth to
absorb water and perform similar function as that of xeric plants and have shallow roots system
especially when water is available in the surface layers. The root hairs of plant that are adapted to
xeric conditions they become profuse (Yosef, 2009)

succulence: xeric adapted plants have special cells which hold water for photosynthesis when soil
moisture is low or even non-existent. Xeric adaptation can be 95% water compared to 75% for most
plants. All succulents and many xeric adaptations have mucilaginous interior tissue (specialized cells)
which store water. Cacti store water in the stem as do most succulent euphorbias. Others like aloes,
haworthias and such store water in their leaves, and a very few store waters in their roots as either
tubers or other swollen membrane

references

1. Vered S.T and Yosef S. soil biology and biochemistry, volume 41. Issue 9, September 2009,
Page 1882-1893
2.