Hardwoods And Softwoods Analysis

(a) The aim of this experiment was to distinguish the differences between hardwoods and softwoods while examining the three main sectional views. After doing this I began to make some striking observations which linked in with the theories and views of Charles B. Beck in which he explores plant anatomy and strips it right back to its fundamental principles. He discusses how as early as 1867 Hoffmeister proposed that cells are simply subdivisions within an organism, leading him to build on his theories and explore the cell structure more indephtly. Upon doing this experiment one could clearly see that the cells are in fact only subdivisions within the organism and not merely the building blocks of multicellular plants. In the transvera; cut
The essential difference between the wood from hardwoods and softwoods is the presence of vessels in hardwoods, resin canals & rays. • Vessels -These are continuous pipes running the length of the tree and serve as conduits for water and nutrients in the outer layers of wood in a growing tree. • Resin Canals – Tubular passages surrounded by Parenchymal Epithelial Cells. Exude pitch & resin into canals. • Rays – Important identification feature of conifers • In hardwoods, the cells are closed and cannot function as conduits. • In softwoods, the cells have openings to other cells. This means the cells are the nutrient conduits. The actual cells in the softwood species have the same function as the vessels in hardwoods. Parenchyma cells in softwoods • Present horizontally and vertically • Horizontally – narrow bands radiate out from the pith • Rays • Vertically – Relatively short & occur in vertical series • Strand Parenchyma • Produced by cambial cells • Cell division outwards from the Pith (Xylem) • Appear as: • Narrow horizontal ribbons on a radial surface • Narrow line crossing growth rings at right angles on a transverse section • Short vertical boat shaped lines on a tangential section. Softwoods - characteristics • Gymnosperms • Quality of wood depends on ratio of thin to thick walled tracheids • Transfer of moisture between tracheids is through bordered pits. In early wood these pits are concentrated towards the ends of cells. Hardwood characteristics • Angiosperms • Primary difference is the presence of vessels and fibres. • The presence of this specialised conducting tissue is a simple way to differentiate hardwood from softwood. • Resin / Gum ducts are