Plant Biology Flashcards
7 cards from real Biology Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Plant Biology flashcards as text
What is the primary pigment responsible for capturing light energy during photosynthesis?
Answer: Chlorophyll a
Chlorophyll a is the main photosynthetic pigment that directly participates in the light reactions by absorbing red and blue light.
During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur in plants?
Answer: S phase
DNA replication occurs during the S (synthesis) phase of interphase, duplicating the entire genome before cell division.
What type of root adaptation allows mangrove trees to exchange gases in waterlogged soils?
Answer: Pneumatophores
Pneumatophores are specialized vertical roots that extend above the waterline to allow gas exchange in oxygen-poor, flooded soils.
Which layer of the leaf is responsible for most photosynthesis and has loosely packed cells to allow gas diffusion?
Answer: Spongy mesophyll
Spongy mesophyll cells have large air spaces between them that facilitate CO2 and O2 diffusion to and from chloroplasts.
What is the role of the Casparian strip in plant roots?
Answer: Forces water through the symplast into the vascular tissue
The Casparian strip is a waxy band in endodermal cell walls that blocks the apoplastic pathway, forcing water and solutes through the symplast into the stele.
Which plant tissue type provides structural support and is composed of dead cells at maturity?
Answer: Sclerenchyma
Sclerenchyma cells have thick, lignified secondary cell walls and are dead at functional maturity, providing rigid mechanical support.
What is vernalization in plants?
Answer: Requirement for cold temperature to trigger flowering
Vernalization is the process by which prolonged cold exposure enables or accelerates flowering in some plant species come spring.