Question

section review 2.4

1. how do botanists classify angiosperms into families?
2. which family of angiosperms contains plants with ray and disk flowers?
3. which family of plants help return nitrogen to the soil?
4. how do the stems of the mint family differ from the stems of other plants?
5. what is the term for an arrangement of flowers that have stems of nearly equal length emerging from a common point on the main stem?

Explanation:

1. Botanical classification uses multiple morphological and sometimes genetic traits.
2. Asteraceae is well - known for its characteristic ray and disk flower structure.
3. Fabaceae has a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen - fixing bacteria.
4. The square stem is a distinctive feature of Lamiaceae.
5. The umbel is a defined floral arrangement type.

Answer:

1. Botanists classify angiosperms into families based on a combination of characteristics such as flower structure (including number and arrangement of parts like petals, sepals, stamens, and carpels), leaf morphology (shape, venation pattern), fruit type, and sometimes genetic and biochemical similarities.
2. The Asteraceae family contains plants with ray and disk flowers.
3. The Fabaceae family of plants helps return nitrogen to the soil. This is due to a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen - fixing bacteria in root nodules that convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants.
4. The stems of the mint family (Lamiaceae) are typically square in cross - section, while the stems of many other plants are round or have other shapes.
5. The term for an arrangement of flowers that have stems of nearly equal length emerging from a common point on the main stem is an umbel.