Monocots vs. Dicots
Angela McFetridge
amcfetridge@qcsd.org
7th grade Science
SEEDS
Monocot
Protective seed coat
Contain 1 cotyledon
Endosperm: surrounds embryo
As seed sprouts cotyledon
stays below ground
Absorbs nutrients from
endosperm and transports to
seedling
Dicot
Protective seed coat
Contains 2 cotyledon
Endosperm: surrounds embryo
Before seed sprouts both
cotyledon emerge from soil
Absorbs & stores food from
endosperm and transports to
seedling
Roots
Monocot
Fibrous roots: spread and
branch out
Anchor plant
Provide loads of surface
area to gather water and
minerals
Dicot
One long, thick root
Called taproots
Small secondary roots
grow from tap root
STEMS
Monocot
Contains tubes that carry
food downward and
water and minerals
upward
Tubes are scattered
throughout with no
particular pattern
Dicot
Contains tubes that carry
food downward and
water and minerals
upward
Tubes are arranged in a
ring pattern around center
of the stem
Leaves
Monocot
Veins run parallel in
leaf
Dicot
Veins intersect and
form a branching
pattern in leaf
Flowers
Monocot
Flowers have flower parts
in 3’s
Dicot
Flowers are more varied,
have flower parts in 2’s,
4’s, 5’s,…..
Examples of Monocots
Examples of Dicots