Harmful Effects on Plant Systems
Harm on the Epidermal Tissue
The epidermal tissue is essentially the “skin” of the plant. The epidermal tissue is supposed to protect the plant from outside harm, but it does not always go so smoothly. The epidermal tissue can be damaged by cuts, which would open a floodgate for pathogens to enter and infect the plant. In addition, root hairs are essential for the absorption of minerals and water through the soil (Plant Tissues). However, microbes and animals can damage these root hairs by breaking or chewing them off. The damaged root hairs would not be able to absorb as much water and minerals as it would need too; resulting in slower growth and production throughout the plant.The epidermal tissue also sometimes fails protecting the upper half of the plant. For example, leaf hairs are tightly packed rigid barbs that are meant to harm insects and break up wind that could threaten the plant (Plant Tissues). The leaf hairs can sometimes not be an adequate defense against larger insects, allowing the insect(s) to chew on the leaves (harming the stomatas). |
|
|
The Stomatas
The stomatas are arguably the most important opening on the plant. The stomata is responsible for the intake of CO2 and other gases into the plant and the outtake of oxygen, which is vital for photosynthesis and the air we breathe (Rogers). Pollution is the largest threat to the stomata openings. When too much CO2 is exposed to the plant, the stomatas close in order to protect the plant from the CO2 (Rogers). However, the closure of the stomata openings critically decline or completely halt the photosynthesis process. The plant cannot produce the chloroplast it needs for sugar and the oxygen we need for air (Gheorghe & Ion). Harmful effects on the stomata create a chain reaction where photosynthesis is either crippled or completely shut down. The epidermal tissue may be the protector of the plant, but even it can fail sometimes. |
Vascular System
The vascular tissue of the plant, which is very thin, is located between the epidermal tissue and the ground tissue of a plant and is responsible the transportation process (Topic 1.4). The xylem cells and the phloem cells are the two major cells in the transportation process. The xylem cells transport water and dissolved minerals while the phloem cells transport the sugars and other molecules produced by photosynthesis (“Vascular Systems of Plants”). Since the vascular tissue is vital for all parts of the plant receiving nutrients, it is a large target for viral pathogens. If the virus makes it through the epidermal tissue and its defenses, it will focus its attacks on the vascular tissue. Once the viral pathogen gains control of the vascular tissue, it controls all of the transportation of water, nutrients, and sugars throughout the plant (Gergerich & Dolja). The viral pathogen will receive the nutrients first, then control how much each part of the plant receives. This could lead to a weakened or even a dead plant from the lack of vital nutrients. The vascular tissue is very important to a plant, but if the plant loses its control over the vascular tissue, it will become very devastating to the plant. |
|
|
Ground System
The ground tissue of a plant is responsible for most of the storage, production, and support and makes up the bulk of the plant (Farabee). The parenchyma tissue of the ground tissue are responsible for the production of the sugars resulting from photosynthesis and the storage of those nutrients (Topic 1.4). Pollutants can significantly decrease the amount of light that chlorophyll absorbs for photosynthesis.t (Rogers). The result is the decrease of parenchyma tissue, then the lack of food from fewer parenchyma cells storing the food. Collenchyma tissue is another important type of ground tissue. Collenchyma is comprised of thick cells walls, which act as a support beam for growing plants (Topic 1.4). When these support beams are weakened by a lack of nutrients caused by anything from a lack of sunlight to insects, the whole plant becomes structurally weak. The plant becomes more susceptible to damage caused by high winds or organisms that put pressure on the plant's leaves or stems. Weakened collenchyma tissue is almost like humans with weakened bones. Both are more susceptible to breaking. The difference is that plants can’t go see a doctor, they have to either repair themselves or slowly die from the environment around them. |
Works Cited
Gergerich, R., & Dolja, V. (2015). Introduction to Plant Viruses, the Invisible Foe. Retrieved April 21, 2015, from http://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/intropp/PathogenGroups/Pages/PlantViruses.aspx
Farabee, M. (2007, June 6). PLANTS AND THEIR STRUCTURE. Retrieved May 19, 2015, from http://www2.estrellamountain.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookPLANTANAT.html
Rogers, C. (n.d.). The Effects of Pollutants on Plant Structure. Retrieved May 19, 2015, from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/effects-pollutants-plant-structure-17119.html
Gheorghe, I., & Ion, B. (n.d.). Chapter 12. Retrieved May 18, 2015, from http://www.intechopen.com/books/the-impact-of-air-pollution-on-health-economy-environment-and-agricultural-sources/the-effects-of-air-pollutants-on-vegetation-and-the-role-of-vegetation-in-reducing-atmospheric-pollu
Topic 1.4. (n.d.). Retrieved May 19, 2015, from http://5e.plantphys.net/article.php?id=19
Plant Tissues. (n.d.). Retrieved May 19, 2015, from http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/Biology/botf99/tissimages/complexvasc.html
Vascular Systems of Plants. (n.d.). Retrieved May 19, 2015, from http://www.biology4kids.com/files/plants_xylemphloem.html
Farabee, M. (2007, June 6). PLANTS AND THEIR STRUCTURE. Retrieved May 19, 2015, from http://www2.estrellamountain.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookPLANTANAT.html
Rogers, C. (n.d.). The Effects of Pollutants on Plant Structure. Retrieved May 19, 2015, from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/effects-pollutants-plant-structure-17119.html
Gheorghe, I., & Ion, B. (n.d.). Chapter 12. Retrieved May 18, 2015, from http://www.intechopen.com/books/the-impact-of-air-pollution-on-health-economy-environment-and-agricultural-sources/the-effects-of-air-pollutants-on-vegetation-and-the-role-of-vegetation-in-reducing-atmospheric-pollu
Topic 1.4. (n.d.). Retrieved May 19, 2015, from http://5e.plantphys.net/article.php?id=19
Plant Tissues. (n.d.). Retrieved May 19, 2015, from http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/Biology/botf99/tissimages/complexvasc.html
Vascular Systems of Plants. (n.d.). Retrieved May 19, 2015, from http://www.biology4kids.com/files/plants_xylemphloem.html