Study GuidePlant Biology–The Shoot System: Stems1. Characteristics of Shoot Systems1.1What is the shoot system?Theshoot systemis the easily visible, above-ground part of a flowering plant. It includes thestem,leaves,flowers, andbuds. Together, these parts help the plant grow upward, make food, andreproduce.1.2Structure of the stemLeaves are attached to the stem at specific points callednodes.The part of the stembetween two nodesis known as aninternode.Theleaf axilis the upper angle formed between the leaf and the stem at a node.Inside each leaf axil, there is usually anaxillary (lateral) bud. These buds can grow into:•Vegetative branches(leafy shoots), or•Flowers(reproductive structures).1.3Terminal bud and origin of the shootAt the tip of the main stem and its branches is theterminal bud. This bud containsapical meristemtissue, which is responsible for the increase in length of the shoot.The shoot begins to form during theembryonic stageof the plant. It develops at the endoppositethe root. As it grows, the shoot forms ashoot apex, which is structurally different from the root apex.Preview Mode
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