Activity 5
1. The process of photosynthesis is commonly written as: 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 +
6O2. Plants are the only photosynthetic organisms to have leaves (and not all plants have leaves). A leaf may be viewed as a solar
collector crammed full of photosynthetic cells. The raw materials of photosynthesis, water and carbon dioxide, enter the cells of the leaf, and
the products of photosynthesis, sugar and oxygen, leave the leaf. Water enters the root and is transported up to the leaves through
specialized plant cells known as xylem. Land plants must guard against drying out and so have evolved specialized structures known as
stomata to allow gas to enter and leave the leaf. Carbon dioxide cannot pass through the protective waxy layer covering the leaf (cuticle),
but it can enter the leaf through an opening (the stomata) flanked by two guard cells. Likewise, oxygen produced during photosynthesis can
only pass out of the leaf through the opened stomata. Unfortunately for the plant, while these gases are moving between the inside and
outside of the leaf, a great deal water is also lost. Carbon dioxide enters single-celled and aquatic autotrophs through no specialized
structures.
2. Transpiration is the release of water mainly through the stomata of leaves. This is largely
because light stimulates the opening of the stomata (mechanism). Light also speeds up
transpiration by warming the leaf. Plants transpire more rapidly at higher temperatures
because water evaporates more rapidly as the temperature rises.
3. Over a period of years, trees and shrubs may be subject to insect attack, disease, adverse weather
conditions, and other stressful environmental factors. Soil compaction, changes in drainage, soil fill over the
root system, mechanical damage to roots from construction, and excess salt accumulation are examples of
environmental stress factors affecting root systems. These stress factors alone, or collectively, reduce
growth and may cause dieback. Also, sidewalks, roadways, and building foundations may restrict root
growth and subject the tree to further stress. Shade and ornamental trees and shrubs are especially
vulnerable to “people pressure” problems and other adverse environmental conditions because they are
often planted in locations unfavorable for optimum growth. Weakened plants are subject to attack by so
called “secondary” agents. Trees weakened by drought, for example, are much more susceptible to attack
by canker-causing fungi and borer-type insects than healthy, vigorous plants.
ACTIVITY 4
- Large leaves have a large surface area, which would allow them to absorb
more sunlight for photosynthesis. At the same time, a large surface area would
allow for a large amount of water loss. Plants with smaller leaves had more
tightly packed major veins and were more resistant to the effects of embolism in
the major veins. They were better able to maintain water transport, even during
extreme drying. While their disadvantage is, they are more likely to absorb less
sunlight for photosynthesis. You are most likely to find these types of plants in
the forest and grassland.
Activity 3
Dicot Stem only Monocot Stem only Similarities
Multicellular epidermal hairs Epidermal hairs are absent Epidermis is usually single
usually present over the layered.
epidermis
no silica deposition over the usually silica deposition occurs Thick layer of cuticle.
epidermis over the epidermis
Hypodermis hypodermis sclerenchymatous Hypodermis is present
collenchymatous
Ground tissue is ground tissue not differentiated into Photosynthetic
differentiated into stelar stelar and extra-stelar tissues chlorenchymatous zone is
present in the cortex.
and extra-stelar tissues
Endodermis present endodermis absent Major portion of ground tissue
is parenchymatous.
vascular bundles are vascular bundles numerous xylem and phloem are organized
limited in numbers, as vascular bundles
usually 4 to 8.
vascular bundles are vascular bundles are arranged vascular bundles are conjoint
arranged in the form of scattered in the ground tissue and collateral their xylem and
phloem are composed of both
one or two broken rings proto- and meta- elements.
vascular bundles are vascular bundles conjoint,
conjoint, collateral and collateral and closed
open
many protoxylem and only two metaxylem elements in
metaxylem elements each vascular bundle
present in each vascular
bundle
Xylem elements are xylem elements are circular
polygonal
Protoxylem lacuna Protoxylem lacuna present
absent
vascular bundles with Bundle cap absent
sclerenchymatous bundle
cap
bundle sheath absents vascular bundles are surrounded by
around the vascular sclerenchyma tous bundle sheath
bundles
pericycle present Pericycle absent
Phloem parenchyma and Phloem parenchyma and phloem
phloem fibers present fibers absent
Pith usually present Pith usually absent
medullary rays present Medullary rays absent
undergo secondary No secondary thickening
thickening
Essentially tree rings result from patterns in vascular tissues. early in the spring, before the
leaves start to grow, a layer of tissue just under the bark called the cambium begins to divide. In
this cool, water-laden time of the growing season the vessels that are produced are large and less
dense. This is the beginning of the spring or early wood. As summer heats up, things start to
change. the cambium starts producing smaller, thicker cells. The vessels that result from these
are much stronger than those of the early wood. this late wood as it is called give trees much of
their rigidity and strength.
Annual ring is important so that we can distinguish a year in a tree’s life. Since we can determine
a tree's growth by environmental conditions, the size and shape of the rings can tell a lot about
the conditions in which the tree was growing.
Activity 2
1. Monocot roots, interestingly, have their vascular bundles arranged
in a ring. Dicot roots have their xylem in the center of the root and phloem
outside the xylem.
2. It is essential for roots to grow down so they can explore the soil and maximize
their water uptake and it increase the chances of encountering soil moisture to
sustain future plant growth and development.
3. Some desert plants have shallow root system which allow them to absorb water just half
inch or so below the surface and are able to hold water in the stem.
