anatomy of flowering plants xylem and phloem
Channel: ISHTA’s BIO ACADEMY
Date: 2022-01-04

You can very easily see the structural similarities and variations in the
external morphology of the larger living organism, both plants and
animals. Similarly, if we were to study the internal structure, one also
finds several similarities as well as differences. This chapter introduces
you to the internal structure and functional organisation of higher plants.
Study of internal structure of plants is called anatomy. Plants have cells
as the basic unit, cells are organised into tissues and in turn the tissues
are organised into organs. Different organs in a plant show differences in
their internal structure. Within angiosperms, the monocots and dicots
are also seen to be anatomically different. Internal structures also show
adaptations to diverse environments.
6.1 THE TISSUES
A tissue is a group of cells having a common origin and usually performing
a common function. A plant is made up of different kinds of tissues. Tissues
are classified into two main groups, namely, meristematic and permanent
tissues based on whether the cells being formed are capable of dividing
or not.
6.1.1 Meristematic Tissues
Growth in plants is largely restricted to specialised regions of active cell division
called meristems (Gk. meristos: divided). Plants have different kinds of
meristems. The meristems which occur at the tips of roots and shoots and
produce primary tissues are called apical meristems (Figure 6.1).
ANATOMY OF FLOWERING PLANTS
CHAPTER 6
6.1 The Tissues
6.2 The Tissue
System
6.3 Anatomy of
Dicotyledonous
and
Monocotyledonous
Plants
6.4 Secondary
Growth
2020-21
ANATOMY OF FLOWERING PLANTS 85
Root apical meristem occupies the tip of a root while the shoot apical
meristem occupies the distant most region of the stem axis. During the
formation of leaves and elongation of stem, some cells ‘left behind’ from
shoot apical meristem, constitute the axillary bud. Such buds are present
in the axils of leaves and are capable of forming a branch or a flower. The
meristem which occurs between mature tissues is known as intercalary
meristem. They occur in grasses and regenerate parts removed by the
grazing herbivores. Both apical meristems and intercalary meristems are
primary meristems because they appear early in life of a plant and
contribute to the formation of the primary plant body.
The meristem that occurs in the mature regions of roots and shoots of
many plants, particularly those that produce woody axis and appear
later than primary meristem is called the secondary or lateral meristem.
They are cylindrical meristems. Fascicular vascular cambium,
interfascicular cambium and cork-cambium are examples of lateral
meristems. These are responsible for producing the secondary tissues.