An organ is a part of a plant that occupies a certain position, is characterized by a certain structure, and performs certain functions. One of them is the kidney. Despite its small size, it performs many important functions. Why a kidney is called an embryonic shoot, we will briefly describe in our article.
Kidney structure
This organ is the future plant. Why is a kidney called an embryonic shoot system? It's all about its structure. At the base of the kidney is a rudimentary stalk, which passes into a growth cone. Here are the cells of the educational tissue - meristems. With the onset of a favorable period, they intensively divide, causing the development of escape.
Consider any kidney. You will see that it can be brown, brown or gray, and on the outside is covered with dry scales. These are modified leaves that protect the future shoot from damage. An additional barrier against adverse environmental conditions is the resin, which is released by renal scales. In some plants, they are covered with a thick fluff to protect against temperature extremes and lack of moisture.
Thus, the bud consists of a stem with shortened internodes (distance between leaves) and leaves. At first glance, this may not be believed, because all these parts of the plant are modified. This is why the kidneys are called an embryonic shoot.
Kidney variety
Embryonic shoots are classified according to certain criteria. One of them is the nature of the arrangement on the stem. Depending on this, the kidneys are lateral and apical. The first are located on the sides of the stem, most often in the axils of the leaves. But there are exceptions to this rule. For example, in Kalanchoe, the kidneys are located along the edge of the leaf blade. And with raspberries - on the roots and underground part of the stems. Such kidneys are called accessory.
Why the kidneys are called an embryonic shoot, we have already found out. Now let's look at their types according to the structural features.
Vegetative kidney
This type of buds on the embryo stem contains the rudiments of leaves. In spring, when the length of daylight increases, it is they who begin to develop first. Why the kidneys are called an embryonic shoot is also explained by the fact that nutrition occurs at their expense. Vegetative embryo shoot forms leaves. It is in these plant organs that the process of photosynthesis is carried out . It is especially necessary in the spring when deciduous trees "come to life" after the winter period. The development of leaves, flowers, fruits and the root system requires energy. Autotrophs form it on their own, using chemical bonds of organic compounds, in particular glucose monosaccharide. This substance is formed in green plastids of chloroplasts in the presence of water, solar energy and carbon dioxide. This is the main reason explaining why a kidney can be called an embryonic shoot.
Generative kidney
Considering the embryonic shoots of woody plants, you can see that not all of them are the same size. Those that are larger are generative kidneys. Of these, flowers develop. But most of the buds on the plant are mixed. They simultaneously have the beginnings of both flowers and leaves.
Why can a kidney be called an embryonic shoot? Another reason is that in addition to nutrition, the shoot carries out the growth processes of plant organisms.
In the spring, the apical buds begin to swell, new shoots begin to appear from them. And during the entire favorable period, the plant grows in size.
Kidney development conditions
Development is another reason that explains why the kidneys are called an embryonic shoot. Heat, moisture and solar energy are the main conditions under which the kidneys begin to develop. The cells of the educational tissue divide intensely, pushing the scales apart. The internodes are lengthened, resulting in a young shoot, on which there are green leaves. Over time, the scales die off, since the need for their functions disappears.
If the plant grows in a temperate climate zone, in winter its bud development stops. In the spring it resumes. Some kidneys may be dormant for several years. This is a kind of reserve plants. They are called sleeping. If the apical embryonic shoot is damaged, it is they who begin to develop, forming new stems with leaves.
Renal viability is the main condition for the implementation of the life cycle. The development of leaves carrying out photosynthesis and gas exchange, flowers - organs of sexual reproduction, and young shoots - these are the most important functions of these parts of plants, without which their growth and development is simply impossible.