Plant Structure and Function

Botany is the study of plants.  Although it may not seem like it, plants are extremely versatile organisms!  While animals can run away from environmental stresses or predators, plants are stuck in one spot.  Thus, they have adapted many complex mechanisms of dealing with everyday problems, such as finding enough food and water, and with long-term problems such as diseases.

One way that plants can adapt to their environment is through their internal anatomy.  Plant cells are diverse and complex, and each type has a specific function.  Like animals, plant components are organized into a hierarchy of cells-->tissues-->organs.

Plant cells are very similar to animal cells, except for 3 major differences. 

Flowering plants belong to the kingdom Plantae and the division (phylum) Anthopyta (also known as Magnoliophyta).  This division is divided into 2 classes:  Liliopsida (monocots) and Magnoliopsida (dicots).  These 2 groups are different in several ways, some of which will be evident in the pictures you view.

The links below will take you to one of three sections, each concentrating on one area of the plant.  The 3 major components of plants are roots, stems, and leaves.  Leaves are the primary site of photosynthesis, although stems are also capable of photosynthetic activity.  Roots take up both water and nutrients from the soil.

Take some time to examine the anatomy of each of these plant organs.  Try to picture in your head what is happening on a cellular level, and how each of the cell types relates to the overall metabolic processes of the plant.

ROOTS

STEMS

For more information about how various sections are made for microscope slides, and how those sections are stained, click here. 

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