Epidermal cells are often modified to perform specialised functions in plants. Name some of them and function they perform.
Some epidermal cells are often modified to perform specialised functions in plant. These are discussed as follows:
(I) Trichomes: They are unicellular or
multicellular outgrowths which are strictly epidermal in origin. Trichomes are of two kinds, hair and scales. Hair are elongated structures and can be unicellular or multicellular. Scales are multicellular flattened structures.
(i) Root hairs: They are unicellular tubular structures found in epiblema of root in a special area called root hair zone. Root hair are enlargement of epiblema cells. They have vacuolated protoplasm and they are ephemeral. Nucleus occurs towards the apical part of the hair. They take part in absorption of water and mineral salts. They hold soil particles and play an important role in anchoring the plants.
(ii) Aerial hairs: They are unicellular or multicellular appendages which are covered by a layer of cuticle. They enclose stationary air and protect the plant organs against sudden changes of temperature and high rate of transpiration.
(iii) Stinging hairs: They are hollow hairs that contain siliceous tips and enclose poison. They protect the plant from herbivores.
(iv) Glandular hairs: Most of the glandular trichomes produce essential oils. They provide aroma to the plants.
temperature and high rate of transpiration.
(iii) Stinging hairs: They are hollow hairs that contain siliceous tips and enclose poison. They protect the plant from herbivores.
(iv) Glandular hairs: Most of the glandular trichomes produce essential oils. They provide aroma to the plants.
(II) Emergences : They are multicellular epidermal outgrowths which also contain some inner tissues prickles are an example of emergences. They are sharp and stiff outgrowth. They do not have vascular supply. They protect the plant from excessive transpiration, grazing animals and in some cases they help in climbing.
Trunks of some of the aged tree species appear to be composed of several fused trunks. Is it a physiological or anatomical abnormality? Explain in detail.
Arrange the following in the sequence you would find them in a plant starting from the periphery—phellem, phellogen, phelloderm.
Cork cambium forms tissues that form the cork. Do you agree with this statement? Explain.
Arrange the following in the sequence you would find them in a plant starting from the periphery – phellem, phellogen, phelloderm.
The cross-section of a plant material showed the following features when viewed under the microscope.
(a) The vascular bundles were radially arranged.
(b) Four xylem strands with exarch condition of protoxylem.
To which organ should it be assigned?
Trunks of some of the aged tree species appear to be composed of several fused trunks. Is it a physiological or anatomical abnormality? Explain in detail.
Protoxylem is the first formed xylem. If the protoxylem lies next to phloem what kind of arrangement of xylem would you call it?
Plants require water for their survival. But when watered excessively, plants die. Discuss.
Match the following and choose the correct option from below.
| A. | Meristem | (i) | Photosynthesis, storage |
| B. | Parenchyma | (ii) | Mechanical support |
| C. | Collenchyma | (iii) | Actively dividing cells |
| D. | Sclerenchyma | (iv) | Stomata |
| E. | Epidermal tissue | (v) | Sclereids |
Options:
(a) A—(i), B—(iii), C—(v), D—(ii), E—(iv)
(b) A—(iii), B—(i), C—(ii), D—(v), E—(iv)
(c) A—(ii), B—(iv), C—(v), D—(i), E—(iii)
(d) A—(v), B—(iv), C—(iii), D—(ii), E—(i)
The lawn grass (Cyandon dactylon) needs to be mowed frequently to prevent its overgrowth. Which tissue is responsible for its rapid growth?
The transverse section of a plant material shows the following anatomical features – (a) the vascular bundles are conjoint, scattered and surrounded by a sclerenchymatous bundle sheath, (b) phloem parenchyma is absent. What will you identify it as?
While eating peach or pear it is usually seen that some stone like structures get entangled in the teeth, what are these stone like structures called?
Protoxylem is the first formed xylem. If the protoxylem lies next to phloem what kind of arrangement of xylem would you call it?
Plants require waterfortheir survival. But when watered excessively, plants die. Discuss.
Match the following and choose the correct option from below.
| A. | Cuticle | (i) | Guard cells |
| B. | Bulliform cells | (ii) | Single layer |
| C. | Stomata | (iii) | Waxy layer |
| D. | Epidermis | (iv) | Empty colourless cell |
Options:
(a) A—(iii), B—(iv), C—(i), D—(ii)
(b) A—(i), B—(ii), C—(iii), D—(iv)
(c) A—(iii), B—(ii), C—(iv), D—(i)
(d) A—(iii), B—(ii), C—(i), D—(iv)
Deciduous plants shed their leaves during hot summer or in autumn. This process of shedding of leaves is called abscission. Apart from physiological changes what anatomical mechanism is involved in the abscission of leaves.
What is present on the surface of the leaves which helps the plant prevent loss of water but is absent in roots?
Which part of the plant would show the following:
(a) Radial vascular bundle
(b) Polyarch xylem
(c) Well developed pith
The cross-section of a plant material showed the following features when viewed under the microscope.
a. The vascular bundles were radially arranged.
b. Four xylem strands with exarch condition of protoxylem.
To which organ should it be assigned?
Epidermal cells are often modified to perform specialised functions in plants. Name some of them and function they perform.
While eating peach or pear it is usually seen that some stone like structures get entangled in the teeth, what are these stone like structures called?
Write the precise function of
(a) Sieve tube
(b) Interfascicular cambium
(c) Collenchyma
(d) Aerenchyma
Assume that a pencil box held in your hand, represents a plant cell. In how many possible planes can it be cut? Indicate these cuts with the help of line drawings.
A transverse section of the trunk of a tree shows concentric rings which are known as growth rings. How are these rings formed? What is the significance of these rings?
Write the precise function of:
a. Sieve tube
b. Interfasicular cambium
c. Collenchyma
d. Aerenchyma
Product of photosynthesis is transported from the leaves to various parts of the plants and stored in some cell before being utilised. What are the cells/ tissues that store them?
Product of photosynthesis is transported from the leaves to various parts of the plants and stored in some cell before being utilised. What are the cells/ tissues that store them?
What part of the plant would show the following?
a. Radial vascular bundle
b. Polyarch xylem
c. Well developed pith
Each of the following terms has some anatomical significance. What do these terms mean? Explain with the help of line diagrams.
a. Plasmadesmoses/Plasmodesmata
b. Middle lamella
c. Secondary wall
Arrange the following in the sequence you would find them in a plant starting from the periphery – phellem, phellogen, phelloderm.