a) Describe secondary growth in flowering plants. (14mks) b) Describe one method that can be used to measure the average growth rate of a single leaf. (6mks)
a) Describe secondary growth in flowering plants. (14mks)
b) Describe one method that can be used to measure the average growth rate of a
single leaf. (6mks)
- Secondary thickening is facilitated by meristematic cells; known as cambium; which are located between phloem and xylem in vascular bundles of plants;
- The cambium divides radially; to form a ring (cylinder) of cambium tissue with the xylem inside the ring; and the phloem outside the ring;
- Cells of the cambium ring divide to form secondary phloem outside and secondary xylem inside;
- Interfascular cambium (between vascular bundles) divides to form secondary parenchyma; thereby increasing the growth of medullary rays;
- Much more xylem is formed than phloem; thus pushing phloem and cambium outwards; The rate of secondary growth is dependent on the season/rainy resulting in annular rings;
- Cork cambium/phellogen divides to form new cork./ bark tissue; to accommodate increased growth on outside and secondary cortex on the inside;
b) Describe one method that can be used to measure the average growth rate of a
single leaf. (6mks)
- Choose/ identify a young leaf which is folded;
- Use the same leaf throughout;
- Measure the total length of the whole leaf; (acc measurement of any part of the leaf / record / length)
- Repeat the procedure at regular interval; until no change occurs in length/ until it gets constant length;
- The average rate of growth is equal to total increase in length divided by the period taken to achieve final length;
Excellent notes and content. Keep up
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