Ch. 35 - Vascular Plant Structure, Growth, and Development

Campbell - Campbell Biology 11th Edition

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Urry 11th Edition

Ch. 35 - Vascular Plant Structure, Growth, and Development

Problem 8

Chapter 35, Problem 8

On this cross section from a woody eudicot, label a growth ring, late wood, early wood, and a vessel element. Then draw an arrow in the pith-to-cork direction.

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Identify the cross section of the woody eudicot. Look for the concentric circles that represent the growth rings.

Label a growth ring. Growth rings are formed annually and consist of a layer of early wood and late wood. They appear as distinct circles in the cross section.

Label the early wood. Early wood is formed at the beginning of the growing season and is characterized by larger cells and lighter color due to rapid growth.

Label the late wood. Late wood forms later in the growing season and has smaller, denser cells, giving it a darker appearance.

Locate and label a vessel element. Vessel elements are large, tube-like structures that facilitate water transport. They are typically found within the xylem tissue of the growth ring.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Growth Rings

Growth rings, also known as annual rings, are concentric circles found in the cross-section of a woody stem. They represent a year of growth, with each ring consisting of early wood and late wood. Early wood forms in the spring and is lighter and less dense, while late wood forms in the summer and is darker and denser, indicating the tree's growth cycle.

Early Wood and Late Wood

Early wood is produced at the beginning of the growing season and is characterized by larger, less dense cells, allowing for rapid growth and efficient water transport. Late wood forms later in the season, with smaller, denser cells that provide structural support. The transition between early and late wood within a growth ring reflects seasonal changes in growth conditions.

Vessel Elements

Vessel elements are specialized cells in the xylem of woody plants that facilitate water transport. They are typically elongated and form continuous tubes, allowing efficient movement of water and nutrients from roots to leaves. In eudicots, vessel elements are a key component of the vascular system, contributing to the plant's ability to thrive in various environments.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following would not be seen in a cross section through the woody part of a root?

a. Sclerenchyma cells

b. Parenchyma cells

c. Sieve-tube elements

d. Root hairs

Textbook Question

Suppose a flower had normal expression of genes A and C and expression of gene B in all four whorls. Based on the ABC hypothesis, what would be the structure of that flower, starting at the outermost whorl?

a. Carpel-petal-petal-carpel

b. Petal-petal-stamen-stamen

c. Sepal-carpel-carpel-sepal

d. Sepal-sepal-carpel-carpel

Textbook Question

Which of the following arise(s), directly or indirectly, from meristematic activity?

a. Secondary xylem

b. Leaves

c. Dermal tissue

d. All of the above

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