Term | Definition |
vascular plants | plants with a system of roots, stems and leaves; plants with xylem and phloem |
Non Vascular Plants | plants with NO system of roots, stems and leaves, no xylem or phloem (examples: moss and liverworts) |
Xylem | system of "tubes" in the plant that carries water from roots to other parts of the plant |
Phloem | system of "tubes" in the plant that carries the plant's food from leaves out to rest of the plant |
Gymnosperms | vascular plants that produce seeds (example; cycads, conifers, ginkgoes) |
Angiosperms | vascular plants that produce flowers and seeds |
Monocot | an angiosperm (flowering plant) with only one cotyledon; plant has narrow leaves with parallel veins and fibrous root (ex: corn, lily) |
Dicot | an angiosperm (flowering plant) with two cotyledons; plant has broad leaves and tap root system (ex: bean, maple) |
Cotyledon | the first leaves of the young plant, the seed leaves |
Fibrous root | root system that spreads and has more than one significant root |
Tap root | root system that has one major root (examples: carrot, turnip and potato) |
Pistil | the female part of the flower |
Stigma | top opening of the pistil |
Style | neck portion of the pistil |
Ovary | at base of the pistil, where seed is formed |
Stamen | male part of the flower |
Filament | stem-like portion of the stamen |
Anther | the top portion of the stamen, where pollen is produced |
Pollination | when pollen is spread by wind, bees, insects, birds |
Fertilization | the process by which a seed is formed within the flower |
Germination | the process by which a seed becomes a plant |
Seed coat | Hard protective cover for embryo |
Embryo | baby plant |
Food supply | food stored in seed to support the embryo as it grows into a young plant |