Question

Students observe several slides of tissue cross-sections under the microscope. They are asked to develop a key system to classify the slides as coming from either monocot or dicots. What key system should the students develop?

a. In monocots, the vascular bundles form a distinct ring. In dicots, the vascular bundles are scattered in the ground tissue.
b. In monocots, the vascular tissue forms a characteristic X shape in the center. In dicots, the
phloem and xylem cells are scattered in the pith.
c. In monocots, the vascular bundles are scattered in the ground tissue. In dicots the vascular bundles form a distinct ring.
d. In monocot roots, the pith is absent or very small. In dicots, the pith is large and well developed.

Answer 1

To classify slides as monocot or dicot, students should note that dicot stems have vascular bundles in a distinct ring, while monocot stems have them scattered in the ground tissue.

Step-by-step explanation:

When students are tasked with developing a key system to classify slides of tissue cross-sections under a microscope as either monocot or dicots, they should consider the arrangement of the vascular bundles. In dicot stems, the vascular bundles, which include xylem and phloem, are organized in a distinct ring when viewed in a cross-section. On the other hand, in monocot stems, the vascular bundles do not form a ring but are instead scattered throughout the ground tissue. This anatomical difference between the two groups of plants is a reliable way to distinguish them.