USABO Plant Form and Function
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
root system -
correct answer ✅the entire set of plant roots that anchor the
plant, absorb and transport minerals and water, and store food
shoot system -
correct answer ✅the aerial portion of a plant body, consisting of
stems, leaves, and (in angiosperms) flowers
photosynthate -
correct answer ✅a sugar or other product of photosynthesis
primary root -
correct answer ✅the first root (and organ) that emerges from a
germinating seed
lateral root -
correct answer ✅a root that develops from the pericycle of an
established root
taproot -
correct answer ✅a main vertical root that develops from the
,USABO Plant Form and Function
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
primary root (in eudicots) and gives rise to lateral roots; enables the
plant to grow taller by preventing toppling
root hair -
correct answer ✅a tiny extension of a root epidermal cell,
growing just behind the root tip and increasing surface area for
absorption of water and minerals
adventitious root -
correct answer ✅a root that grows from an unexpected region of
the plant, such as from a stem or leaf; characteristic of a fibrous
root system
buttress root -
correct answer ✅a large, wide aerial root that provides
architectural support to a shallowly-rooted tree
prop root -
correct answer ✅an aerial, adventitious root that supports tall,
top-heavy plants (e.g. maize)
, USABO Plant Form and Function
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
pneumatophore -
correct answer ✅an aerial root produced by mangroves and other
swamp plants specialized for gaseous exchange
stem -
correct answer ✅a vascular plant organ consisting of an
alternating system of nodes and internodes that support the leaves
and reproductive structures
node -
correct answer ✅a point along the stem of a plant at which leaves
are attached
internode -
correct answer ✅a segment of a plant stem between the points
where leaves are attached
apical bud -
correct answer ✅a bud at the tip of a plant stem; also called a
terminal bud
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
root system -
correct answer ✅the entire set of plant roots that anchor the
plant, absorb and transport minerals and water, and store food
shoot system -
correct answer ✅the aerial portion of a plant body, consisting of
stems, leaves, and (in angiosperms) flowers
photosynthate -
correct answer ✅a sugar or other product of photosynthesis
primary root -
correct answer ✅the first root (and organ) that emerges from a
germinating seed
lateral root -
correct answer ✅a root that develops from the pericycle of an
established root
taproot -
correct answer ✅a main vertical root that develops from the
,USABO Plant Form and Function
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
primary root (in eudicots) and gives rise to lateral roots; enables the
plant to grow taller by preventing toppling
root hair -
correct answer ✅a tiny extension of a root epidermal cell,
growing just behind the root tip and increasing surface area for
absorption of water and minerals
adventitious root -
correct answer ✅a root that grows from an unexpected region of
the plant, such as from a stem or leaf; characteristic of a fibrous
root system
buttress root -
correct answer ✅a large, wide aerial root that provides
architectural support to a shallowly-rooted tree
prop root -
correct answer ✅an aerial, adventitious root that supports tall,
top-heavy plants (e.g. maize)
, USABO Plant Form and Function
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
pneumatophore -
correct answer ✅an aerial root produced by mangroves and other
swamp plants specialized for gaseous exchange
stem -
correct answer ✅a vascular plant organ consisting of an
alternating system of nodes and internodes that support the leaves
and reproductive structures
node -
correct answer ✅a point along the stem of a plant at which leaves
are attached
internode -
correct answer ✅a segment of a plant stem between the points
where leaves are attached
apical bud -
correct answer ✅a bud at the tip of a plant stem; also called a
terminal bud
