As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 75,000 lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you succeed.
Try it risk-freeAlready registered? Log in here for access
A plant has many complicated and complex systems that keep it living and growing, including the shoot system. When referring to the shoot system in a plant, we generally refer to the leaves, buds, flowering stems and flowering buds, as well as the main stem itself. The word 'shoot' generally is used when talking about the main stem.
As we move from the ground surface to the terminal bud (end of the undeveloped shoot) we will encounter nodes and internodes. Nodes are the points where leaves are attached, and internodes are the places on the stem between the nodes. In the crux created by the node and stem, there are axillary buds that lay dormant but have the potential to grow a vegetative branch.
 |
These axillary buds lay dormant because of apical dominance. This is a phenomena where the plant concentrates most of its resources at the terminal bud. The terminal buds grows at the apex, or tip of the plant. This is responsible for making the plant grow taller and bigger so it makes sense that the plant would want to concentrate resources here. If the terminal bud gets damaged, the axillary buds will 'wake up' and begin to grow, saving the plant.
If the axillary buds begin to grow, they can create their own terminal buds, leaves, etc. They, in a sense, create a secondary plant themselves. If you own any houseplants, you might understand the idea of pruning them to create 'bushy' plants. Well, this is because you are removing the terminal bud that stimulates the axillary buds to grow, creating that thicker looking plant.
As is commonly known, the leaves of the plant act as the photosynthetic factory for it, producing sugars and other compounds for the plant to survive on. There are many different types of leaves, but most will include a blade, stalk, veins and the petiole. The stalk is the main stem of the leaf, the blade is the actual green leaf portion, and the petiole is where it attaches to the node. The veins are similar to our veins in that they carry water and nutrients out into the leaf.
Inside of the shoot are primary and secondary tissue structures. There is dermal tissue that acts similar to our skin, the ground tissue that acts to give support to the plant, and finally the vascular tissue. The dermal tissue acts as a waxy coating to protect other tissue from drying out. The ground tissue is around the vascular tissue and helps give the plant the support it needs. It is similar to a skeleton. Finally, there is the vascular tissue that attaches to the veins in the leaves. This is responsible for getting nutrients around the plant.
In certain plants, there is a secondary tissue structure called the vascular cambium and the cork cambium. In the vascular cambium, new tissue is constantly being made that replaces vascular tissue in the plant. As the plant ages, new tissue forms and old ones harden, forming rings (like when you cut a tree down). The cork cambium helps to create the bark of the plant, further protecting it from outside harm.
 |
The shoot system works closely in part to the root system of the plant. The shoots are able to absorb nutrients via the plant's different roots. The water and other nutrients that are taken in are shuttled up through the plant's vascular system located in the shoot. It moves up through the shoot to the leaves of the plant, distributing out across the leaf veins to the different sites where the nutrients are needed.
Once the nutrients have arrived where they need to be, the plant can use what it needs in the process of creating food and energy for itself during photosynthesis. This occurs in the leaf's chloroplasts, which is the reason that the plant's leaves are so very important. The leaf is also responsible for collecting more water as well as oxygen, carbon dioxide and sunlight. Without these components, the plant would not have a chance at survival.
Let's review. The shoot system consists of the stems and leaves of the plant. More specifically, it includes the nodes, internodes, axillary buds, terminal bud and leaves. The leaf has four parts as well, the stalk, blade, veins and petiole. Each part works to keep the plant alive and functioning properly. The shoot system uses the root system to draw up water and nutrients and deliver them to where they need to go in the plant's leaves. Once there, the leaf will use these materials in photosynthesis as the leaf absorbs sunlight.
Following this lesson, you'll be able to:
To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account
Already a member? Log In
BackAlready registered? Log in here for access
Did you know… We have over 200 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.
To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page
Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Study.com has thousands of articles about every imaginable degree, area of study and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you.
Back To Course
High School Biology: Tutoring Solution36 chapters | 479 lessons
{{courseNav.course.topics.length}} chapters | {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons | {{course.flashcardSetCount}} flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? 's' : ''}}
Next Lesson
| 30 day money back guarantee | |||
|
Starting Original Price |
/yr | /mo | |
| Just Just | /day | ||
| Discount For months |
- % - | / | |
| Referral Credit | - | ||
|
Price after trial Starting Price starting today |
/ | ||
| Referral Credit |
- | ||
| Price starting today | / | ||
| Just Just | Just Just | /day | |
| Save % off monthly plan | /mo | ||
| Just | /mo | ||
| Price | /yr | ||
Your Cart is Empty. Please Choose a Product.
Watch 5 minute video clips, get step by step explanations, take practice quizzes and tests to master any topic.
Study.com has a library of 350,000 question and answers for covering your toughest textbook problems
I love the way expert tutors clearly explains the answers to my homework questions. Keep up the good work!
- Maritess, College StudentStudy.com video lessons have helped over 30 million students.
"I learned more in 10 minutes than 1 month of chemistry classes"
- Ashlee P.
"I learned more in 10 minutes than 1 month of chemistry classes"
- Ashlee P.
"I aced the CLEP exam and earned 3 college credits!"
- Clair S.
Over 65 million users have prepared for {{displayNameByProductKey[registrationData.product || testPrepCocoon]}} and other exams on Study.com
"The videos have changed the way I teach! The videos on Study.com accomplish in 5 minutes what would take me an entire class."
- Chris F.
Over 65 million users have prepared for {{displayNameByProductKey[registrationData.product || testPrepCocoon]}} and other exams on Study.com
Over 65 million users have prepared for {{displayNameByProductKey[registrationData.product || testPrepCocoon]}} and other exams on Study.com
