THC Academy course
Stems & Vascular Transport
Study stem structure, xylem, phloem, internode development, and the consequences of mechanical damage.
Course outcomes
What you should be able to do
- Identify simplified stem tissues and their structural roles.
- Separate xylem water transport from phloem source-to-sink transport.
- Relate internode development to genotype, stage, light, temperature, and growth rate.
- Describe mechanical injury in terms of support and transport rather than appearance alone.
Guided sequence
5 connected units
1Stem cross-sectionIdentify epidermal, cortex, vascular, and pith regions.Open →2Xylem transportFollow water and dissolved mineral movement toward transpiring shoots.Open →3Phloem transportFollow source-to-sink movement of photosynthate.Open →4Internodal spacingRelate internode length to genotype, light, temperature, stage, and growth rate.Open →5Damage & recoveryUnderstand how bending, crushing, pruning, and breakage affect support and transport.Open →