Plant Parts Under A Microscope

This is a general cross section of a root of a vascular plant, shown under a microscope on medium power (100x). The major functions of roots are to absorb water and nutrients, anchor the plant body to the ground, and store food and nutrients. The xylem and phloem, tube-like structures, help the roots to distribute the water and nutrients throughout the plant, and to all the cells high above ground.

This is a general cross section of a stem of a vascular plant, shown under a microscope on low power (40x). The major functions of stems is to provide support for the plant, and stems also connect the leaves to the roots so that the water and nutrients can be transported from the roots, through the stem, and into the leaves. Woody and herbaceous stems are different because woody stems are hard, and they grow taller and bigger. Some plants with woody stems are shrubs and your average tree. Herbaceous stems are much softer and plants with these stems are usually short and small. This is because these stems don't grow additional tissues, like woody stems. Plants with herbaceous stems consist of herbs, crops, broccoli, generally your basic backyard garden plants.

This is a general cross section of a leaf of a vascular plant, shown under a microscope on high power (400x). The major functions of leaves are to obtain gas exchange, and sunlight for photosynthesis. Also, they help the plant to respire, and they store food material. The chemical reaction for photosynthesis occurs when the plant obtains carbon dioxide, water, and light. Using these things the plant produces oxygen, sugar, and water. Stomata are important to plants because plants mainly lose their water through these spaces, which allows transpiration. Also, stomata let carbon dioxide through for photosynthesis, which is why stomata are important to us too, because since they let carbon dioxide through, photosynthesis occurs, which means we get more oxygen.