Chapter 6 — Anatomy of Flowering Plants

Anatomy of flowering plants studies the internal tissue organization of plants through their epidermal, ground, and vascular tissue systems, which differ markedly between dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous species.

Chapter 6 covers the internal structure and functional organization of flowering plants. The tissue system comprises three types: epidermal tissue (outer protective layer with stomata and trichomes), ground tissue (cortex, pericycle, pith with parenchyma and sclerenchyma), and vascular tissue (xylem and phloem forming conducting bundles). The chapter details anatomical differences between dicot and monocot roots, stems, and leaves, including how dicots have open vascular bundles with cambium enabling secondary growth, while monocots have closed bundles without secondary growth. Dicot leaves are dorsiventral with distinct palisade and spongy mesophyll, whereas monocot leaves are isobilateral with bulliform cells for water regulation.

1. 01Three tissue systems organize plant anatomy: epidermal (protective outer layer), ground (supporting and storage bulk tissue), and vascular (water and mineral conducting system)
2. 02Stomata regulate transpiration and gas exchange; each comprises two guard cells enclosing a pore, with subsidiary cells forming the stomatal apparatus
3. 03Dicots have open vascular bundles with cambium between xylem and phloem enabling secondary growth; monocots have closed bundles without cambium preventing secondary growth
4. 04Dicot roots have 2-4 xylem bundles and small pith; monocot roots have more than six polyarch xylem bundles with large, well-developed pith
5. 05Dorsiventral dicot leaves contain distinct palisade parenchyma (adaxial) and spongy parenchyma (abaxial); isobilateral monocot leaves lack mesophyll differentiation with bulliform cells