Structure of Young Plants

Below is a diagram of the basic structures of a young plant.


Some of the most important structures include:
1. Terminal bud- located at the tip of the stem (see bud)
2. Node/internode- holds the buds which branch off as leaves, roots, or stems
3. Cotyledon/coleoptile- beginning of the first leaves which will appear on the plant
4. Adventitious/tap root- root growing downward which the roots will grow off of
5. Primary/lateral root- root growing horizontal from the tap root which will stabilize the plant into the soil.
6. Root hairs- growth from the roots which will absorb nutrients and water from the soil
7. Leaf- blade which will grow from the stem which will play a key role in photosynthesis later on
8. Cuticle/dermal tissue- the protective covering on the dermal tissue of the leaves made of lipids and often waxy