Plant Anatomy the World of Plants

Plant Anatomy the World of Plants

In the plant world there are many different plant species, for example there are vascular plants which are considered flowering plants and non-vascular plants which are mosses. The structure and the genetic make-up of plants are different among plant species. Some common differences that plants possess are roots, leaves, stems, and the size of the plant. Even though a plant's genetic make-up may be different between different species, the anatomy of the plants serve the same purpose, and that is to survive and reproduce. This report will focus on the structure of roots, stems, and leaves of vascular plants which will allow a better understanding of the anatomy of plants.

In vascular plants the root is the organ of the plant and it absorbs and store nutrients, supports the plant, and vegetative reproduction. A plant's root can be made up of two systems, taproot system and the fibrous root system, these two systems help a plant to reproduce and survive. The taproot system has a large main root and smaller secondary roots, the root reaches water deep down in the soil. The taproot system would have a survival advantage in environments that have harsh and cold winters. This allows the root to reproduce and protect the seed which is grown underground. The fibrous root system, the primary root and the secondary root is similar in size. The fibrous root spreads out covers more ground, and water and minerals are collected closer to the surface. The fibrous root system would have a survival advantage in environments such as a rain forest.