Vascular Plant Structure What are three major structures of a vascular plant?

What are the functions of...? Roots: Absorb nutrients and moisture. Anchor the plant in the soil. Physical support for the stem. Serve as food storage organs. Stems: Support buds and leaves. Serve as conduit for carrying water, minerals, and sugars. Leaves: Absorb sunlight for the manufacturing of plant sugars

Cell Types Parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma Parenchyma is the most common cell type. Functions: Conduct photosynthesis Stores starch, oils, and water for the plant. Also important for healing wounds of the plant; they can divide throughout their entire lives. EX: stem cuttings.

Parenchyma Details: Thin cell walls and large water-filled vacuoles in the middle.

Collenchyma Most common in the younger tissues of leaves and shoots. Functions: Provide support for the plant, while still allowing it to grow. They are flexible. EX: As a young leaf grows, collenchyma cells can elongate, giving the leaf structure. Do not conduct photosynthesis.

Collenchyma Details: Cell walls range from thick to thin. Often form into strands. EX: celery strings Cells walls do not contain lignin, so they are stretchy and can change size.

Comparing Parenchyma and Collenchyma

Sclerenchyma This is the strongest cell type of the three. Functions: Found in parts of the plant that are no longer growing. Skeletal support for water-conducting tissues and the plant itself. These cell fibers are used to make linen and rope. Form a major part of fruit pits and hard outer shells of nuts.

Sclerenchyma Details: Have a second cell wall that is hardened by lignin. Makes the cells very tough, durable, and rigid. These cells are not able to grow with the plant.

Comparing all three

enchyma: cellular tissue Vocabulary enchyma: cellular tissue Ex: parenchyma para: beside coll: glue scler: hard