Explain each of the following terms:

Question

Alternate leaf arrangement
Lateral root
Haustoria
Idioblast
Diacytic stomata
Hypoderms
Apocarpous ovary

Answer 1

Alternate leaf arrangement: This term refers to the way leaves are positioned on a stem. In an alternate leaf arrangement, one leaf grows from the stem at a time, alternating between the left and right sides of the stem.

Lateral root: A root that grows from the side of an existing root. Lateral roots are important for anchoring the plant and absorbing water and nutrients from the soil.

Haustoria: Specialized root structures that some parasitic plants develop to penetrate the tissues of other plants and extract nutrients. Haustoria can form both within the host plant's roots and on other parts of the host plant, such as stems or leaves.

Idioblast: A specialized plant cell that serves a specific function, such as storing starch or producing and storing toxins. Idioblasts are often found in plant tissues that have specialized functions, such as the fruit or seeds.

Diacytic stomata: Small pores found on the surface of leaves and stems that allow for gas exchange in the plant (carbon dioxide in, oxygen out). Diacytic stomata have two surrounding cells (the guard cells) that help regulate the opening and closing of the pore.

Hypodermis: A layer of cells found just beneath the outer surface of some plant tissues, such as leaves, stems, and roots. The hypodermis can serve a variety of functions, such as providing structural support or storing water.

Apocarpous ovary: An ovary that is divided into multiple separate compartments, each containing its own ovule(s). This is in contrast to a syncarpous ovary, which has multiple compartments but with the ovules grouped together. The term "apocarpous" comes from the Greek words apo (meaning "separate") and karpos (meaning "fruit").