ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some of the internal organization (cells, tissues, and organs) or anatomy of vascular plants. For simplicity, we have organized and illustrated the material by rst looking at cell types and then comparing and contrasting the anatomy of tissues and organs of the monocotyledonous (monocot) and dicotyledonous (dicot) angiosperms, gymnosperms, and pteridophytes (ferns). For the purposes of this book, we will consider the following four organs: roots, stems, leaves, and reproductive structures. It is impossible to discuss adequately all the details of anatomy and development of these organs in this short chapter. Therefore, most treatments of cell types, tissue, and organs are described in broad, widespread terms and students are cautioned that many exceptions to our generalizations can be found. The relationship of anatomy to common forms and shapes, or morphology, of these organs will also be touched upon. Readers with greater interest in more exhaustive details of anatomy and development are directed to some botany and anatomy textbooks cited at the end of this chapter. Most of the material in this chapter is derived from Esau (1960) and Fahn (1990). Readers should also appreciate that while plant anatomy and morphology typically are studied through use of static materials, such as histological sections (Chapter 7), it is important to view these in the context of growing, changing three-dimensional organisms. In this way, a better understanding of plant development can be achieved.
