Exercise #6

VEGETATIVE ORGANS

Plant organs are classified into two broad categories: vegetative and reproductive organs. The
vegetative parts are composed of roots, stems, and leaves while reproductive structures are flowers and seeds.
The roots of a plant aid in anchoring it to the ground. They also absorb water and minerals and transport those
materials to the shoot. Some roots store food in their fleshy tissues to be used later during reproduction and
growth. Root systems vary according to the plant’s needs, but two main types of root exist: taproot and fibrous
root. As their names suggest, a taproot is characterized by a main root descending from the plant, while fibrous
roots are smaller and fibrous - extending in many directions.

Stems provide two main functions for plants: transporting water and minerals from the roots to the
flowers and leaves, supporting and orienting the leaves to receive more sunlight. Plants without enough water
may have wilting and weak stems. Whereas a leaf is a flattened, green, lateral appendage of the stem. This
structure is initiated in the shoot apex. It carries out the functions for photosynthesis and transpiration.

Objectives:

At the end of the exercise, the following will be achieved:

1. Distinguish the general morphological and anatomical features of plant’s vegetative structures
2. Familiarize with different modified structures of these vegetative parts.

Materials:
Different plant species present in your place. If none, you can easily find them in the web.

Procedure:

A. MORPHOLOGY OF THE ROOT

Identify the root systems of a fully grown dicot, Leucaena leucocephala (ipil-ipil) and monocot, Zea mays
(corn). Illustrate the two types of root systems.

Observe the roots of C. nucifera (coconut). This has roots that are thicker and larger than those of Z. mays
thus are described as wiry roots.

Observe the metamorphosed / specialized roots of plants listed and indicate the features that enable them
to carry out specialized functions (Table 6.1).

B. STEM

Sketch and label the external parts of a monocot, dicot and woody dicot stems.

Illustrate and identify the modified function of the specialized stem listed in the activity sheet

C. LEAF

Read the special notes below, label the parts of the leaf and fill-up table 6.2 and 6.3.

Leaf Morphology

1. Parts of the Leaf. The flattened portion is called the lamina or blade. The general shape of the lamina is
the outline. Specifically, the side of the lamina is the margin; the tip of the lamina opposite the node or
the petiole is the apex, and the other end is the base.
2. Leaf attachment and arrangement. Leaves may possess a petiole, or sessile. The blade may be
attached to the node directly, or through a leaf sheath in sessile leaves. The arrangement of leaves along
the stem is termed as phyllotaxy. Alternate leaves possess one leaf attached to each node, opposite
leaves have two leaves per node, and whorled leaves have more than two. When two opposite leaves
alternating in two ranks, it is classified as Distichous. Decussate leaves have two opposite leaves
arranged in four ranks.

3. Venation. The arrangement of vascular tissue in the leaf is marked by the leaf venation, which may be
reticulate or parallel. In both leaves, a midrib runs along the center of the leaf. In reticulate leaves,
secondary veins branch off from the midrib. These eventually split off into lower-order veins to last order
veins which end up blindly. In parallel leaves, the lower-order veins are small and all run parallel to the
midrib.

4. Leaf types. Leaves may be simple or compound. Simple leaves possess a single, undivided lamina. In
typical compound leaves the lamina is broken down into discrete leaflets or pinna, and each leaflet is
borne by a stalk called the petiolule. In pinnately compound leaves, the petiolules are attached to a
central axis called the rachis. This type of compound leaf can be unipinnate, when leaflets are present
directly on the rachis; bipinnate, when the midrib produces secondary axis which bears the leaflets; and
tripinnate, when the leaf is thrice pinnate. In palmately compound leaves, all petiolules are attached to
the end of the petiole.

5. Leaf outline. The outline of a leaf can be determined by its length-to-width ratio and relative to its apical
and basal halves. Linear, leaves have a length to width ratio greater than 6:1. Narrowly elliptic and
lanceolate leaves have a ratio between 6:1 and 3:1. Elliptic and ovate leaves have a ratio between 3:1
and 6:5. Orbicular leaves have a ratio of roughly 1:1. Lanceolate and ovate leaves are wider near the
base than the apex. The opposite conditions are oblanceolate and obovate, respectively. Some leaf
outlines are defined by their similarity to known shapes. There are spatulate, cordate, obcordate,
triangular. Sagittate leaves are arrow-shaped; hastate leaves have parts of the base that extend
sideways.

6. Leaf margins. Smooth margins are termed entire. Crenate, dentate, and serrate leaves have shallow
incisions or teeth. The teeth of crenate leaves are rounded. Those of dentate and serrate leaves are sharp;
those of the latter are pointed forward. Lobed leaves have deep incisions, and may closely reach the
midrib. In dissected leaves, the lamina is deeply cut into many partitions but not into separate leaflets; the
cuts reach the lower-ordered veins. Lastly, undulate leaves are wavy, curving in and out of the plane of
the leaf.

7. Leaf apex. Many leaves have simple rounded apices. Acute apices form an angle between 90o and 45o,
obtuse, between 180o and 90o, and truncate at a flat 180o. Retuse apices form a shallow angle into the
lamina. An acuminate apex gradually tapers from obtuse to acute; cordate apices are similar but the
angle forms into the lamina. Caudate apices steeply change in angle to form a sharp tip. Lastly, ruminate
apices appear torn or shredded.

8. Leaf base. Bases may also be described as cuneate (acute), rounded, truncate or cordate. Bases that
gradually transition to narrow angles are attenuate. Bases of sagittate and hastate leaves are similarly
named. Bases that are unequal in size between the two halves of the lamina are oblique. Lastly, leaves
where petioles are attached to the center of the abaxial side are said to have peltate bases.

Leaf Specialization and Modification

9. Observe the leaf morphology of the following plant: succulent leaves of Sansiviera or Aloe vera; bracts
of Mussaenda philippica. (Donya Aurora) or Bougainvillea spectabilis; spathe of Spathophyllum sp. or any
aroid; cataphyll of Ficus pseudopalma; bulb of Allium cepa; spines of Citrus sp. and any cactus plant;
pseudostem of Musa; embryogenic leaves of Kalanchoe pinnata. Fully developed leaves may have
structural changes depending on the species that enable them to carry out other functions; they are
described as specialized or modified leaves. Identify the expanded tissues in the leaves of Citrus
species.Observe the leaf apex of Nepenthes (pitcher plant). Fill up table 6.3 for your observations.
Figure 1. Leaf Shape
BERFELYN DANIELA VILLARUZ 1BS BIOLOGY-B
A. THE ROOT

Draw a taproot system and fibrous system and label the part
Taproot System Fibrous Root System
Leucaena leucocephala (ipil-ipil) Zea mays (corn)

Which type of root system best suited in high elevated areas?

•Fibrous roots has better stabilization in windy areas because of its larger surface area. It’s branching system
provides better absorption of nutrients on the surface of the soil.
Type of root system best adapted for anchorage?
•Taproot system gives better anchorage to plants due to the presence of the main root and the tiny roots that
emerge from it, making the plants hold to the soil tighter.
Fill out the table by providing the specialized part and its respective function/s.

Table 6.1. Plants with specialized roots.

Specimens Specialized function/s Type of roots

1. Viscum album (mistletoe) A semi-parasitic plant where its Parasitic Root
roots penetrates through the bark
of its host tree.
2. Euanthe sanderiana Its roots grow on a surface of Photosynthetic
other plants and it derive its Roots
moisture and nutrients from the
abiotic factor or from the debris
that circulates around it.
3. Zea mays This plant has another type of root Aerial Root
other than the fibrous which has a
function as anchors of providing
mechanical support.
4. Manihot esculenta Its unique function is storing food Food-storage root
used to feed the whole plant.
5. Pachyrrhizus erosus Its root is edible. It contains starch Food-Storage
which is the food for the whole Root
plant.
6. Allium cepa Pulls the stem downward into the soil Contractile root
especially under conditions of
seasonal drought that helps position
this plant part at an appropriate level
in the ground.

7. Avicennia marina Its roots function as the site of Pneumatophores

oxygen intake for the submerged
primary root system.
 B. STEM
Examine and compare the monocot, dicot and woody dicot stems. Locate the nodes, internodes, leaf
scar and buds. Draw the stems of the 3 plants (monocot, dicot and woody).

Monocot Stem Dicot Stem Woody Stem

Draw the following and identify their function:

Tendril- modified leaves that can sense Stolon- stems that trail along the surface of soil, sending
objects that they could cling or climb for up new stems at nodes or tip making the plant reproduce
support. and spread across the surface available.

Spine of thorn- sharp-pointed modified Bulb-erect-thickened stem surrounded by fleshy bud scales,
leaf that protects the plant against her- are modified leaves serve as a food-storage areas and
bivores. It also helps to reduce water means of asexual reproduction for the plant.
loss because they occupy a minimal
surface area.

Bulb
Cactoid-modified stem that stores water as its tough Rhizome- an underground stem that produce new
prevents the water from evaporating. upright stems at their tip.

C. LEAVES

External structures of the leaf. Label the following parts of the leaf below.

Petiolule

Apex
Petiole

Leaf Margin

Midrib Petiolule

Lamina Midrib

Petiole Rachis
Petiole
Simple Leaf Compound Leaf

Table 6.2. Characterization of the leaf specimens.

Specimen Phyllotax Venation Leaf Type Outline Apex Base Margin
y
Hibiscus rosa-
sinensis Alternate reticulat Simple Ovate Acute Rounded Serrated
(Gumamela) e
Leucaena
leucocephala Opposite Pinnate compound Oblong Obtuse Rounded Pinnatise
(Ipil-ipil) ct
Zea mays alternate Parallel simple linear Acuminate obtuse Entire
(corn)
Musa
paradisiaca Alternate Pinnate simple Oblong Obtuse Oblique Entire
(banana
latundan)
 Allamanda
cathartica Opposite Reticulat Compound Lanceol Acute Rounded Serrate
(yellow bell) e ate
Jasminum
sambac Alternate Reticulat Compound Ovate Acute Articulate Serrate
(sampaguita) e
Psidium
guajava Opposite Reticulat Compound Oblong Obtuse/Acu Rounded Entire
(guava) e te
Phaseolus Alternate Reticulat Simple Cordate Acute Cordate Entire
sp.(bean) e
Tradescantia
spathaceae Whorled Parallel Simple Elliptical Acuminate Attenuate Entire
(Boat lily)

Leaf Specialization and Modification

Table 6.3. Leaf Specialization, Modification and Functions.

Specimen Specialized Part Modification Function (s)

Aloe vera Succulent Leaves Storage Leaves Water retention
Mussaenda philippica Leaf Bracts To attract
pollinators.
Bougainvillea spectabilis Leaf Bracts Their main function
is to protect the tiny
flowers that they
surround and they
also help attract
pollinating insects
and hummingbirds to
the plant with their
bright colors.

Spathiphyllum sp. Spathe Bracts To attract

pollinators and
protects spadix
Ficus pseudopalma Cataphyll Bud scales Performs the
function of
protecting the bud.
Allium cepa Scales of the bulb Storage leaves Protection for
water loss
Citrus sp. expanded tissues in Spine For protection
the leaves
Musa sp. pseudostem Storage leaves Functions for water
retention and also,
provides
mechanical
support.
Kalanchoe pinnata Embryogenic Leaf Reproductive leaf The margins of the
leaves produces
plantlets.

https://www.arabidopsis.org/download_files/Protocols/PREP_handbook/5-Plant-Biology-Activities.pdf

Image References:
Woody Stem
https://www.pinterest.dk/pin/389702173982169133/
Dicot Stem:
www.sliderbase.com
Monocot Stem:
https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiC0tOY8tXzAhXEZt4KHX1GDr4Qjhx6BAgBE
AI&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwww2.estrellamountain.edu%2Ffaculty%2Ffarabee%2Fbiobk%2FBioBookPLANTANATII.ht
ml&psig=AOvVaw1V3XnNqsWoFuBZVWE55y0U&ust=1634712882274693
Tendril:
alamy.com
Stolon:
https://mygardenguide.com/what-are-stolons/
Cactoid:
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/708331847627022773/
Thorn:
wikipedia.org
Rhizome:
www.sciencelearn.org.nc
Bulb:
istockphoto.com
Taproot(Ipil-ipil):
https://studiousguy.com/root-systems-types/
Fibrous Root(Mais):
alamy.com