The big difference that most people note about monocots and dicots is the formation of the plants’ veins on leaves.
However, there are many different things that separate monocots from dicots. In fact, monocots differ from dicots in four
structural features: their leaves, stems, roots and flowers.
Within the seed lies the plant’s embryo; it is here that the first difference between the two types can be seen.
Whereas monocots have one cotyledon (seed leaf), dicots have two. This small difference at the very start of the plant’s
life cycle leads each plant to develop vast differences.
Once the embryo begins to grow its roots, another structural difference occurs. The part of the seed called the radical will
become the root once the plant sprouts. Monocots tend to have “fibrous roots” that web off in many directions. These
fibrous roots occupy the upper level of the soil in comparison to dicot root structures that dig deeper and create thicker
systems. Dicot roots also contain one main root called the taproot, where the other, smaller roots branch off. The roots
are essential to the plant’s growth and survival, therefore encouraging a deeper and more extensive root system that can
help increase the health of the plant.
As the monocots develop, their stems arrange the vascular tissue (the circulatory system of the plant) sporadically. This
is extremely unique compared to dicots’ organized fashion that arranges the tissue into a donut-looking structure. The way
a stem develops is important to note. Stems are in charge of supporting the entire plant and help position it to reach as
much sunlight as possible. The vascular tissue within the stem can be thought of as a circulatory system for bringing
nutrients to each portion of the plant.
The differences don’t end there. Both monocots and dicots form different leaves. Monocot leaves are characterized by
their parallel veins, while dicots form “branching veins.” Leaves are another important structure of the plant because
they are in charge of feeding the plant and carrying out the process of photosynthesis.
The last distinct difference between monocots and dicots are their flowers (if present). Monocot flowers usually form in
threes whereas dicot flowers occur in groups of four or five.
Monocots vs. Dicots
From learning how plants are classified, we now know that flowering plants are the most successful of all
of the plant groups. But, do you think that all flowering plants are the same? Are grasses and trees in the same
group? In fact there are two main divisions of flowering plants know as Angiosperms; flowering plants are either
classified as monocots or dicots.
In this exercise you will be given a topic, Monocots or Dicots. Your responsibility is to become an expert
on the topic. At the end of the activity, you will team up with someone who has a different topic than yours and
share information to complete the notes and use the cards to complete the Venn diagram.
Monocots
Dicots
Name: __________________
Period: ________
Monocot vs. Dicot Jigsaw
For each statement listed below, decide if it best describes Monocots (M), Dicots (D),
or both (B).
1. ________ Flowers are arranged in groups of four or five.
2. ________ Tend to have fibrous root system.
3. ________ Leaves are characterized as having branching veins.
4. ________ Have flowers.
5. ________ Seeds have one cotyledon.
6. ________ Vascular tissue is arranged in a circular pattern within the stem.
7. ________ Vascular tissue is sporadically arranged within the stem.
8. ________ Leaves are characterized as having parallel veins.
9. ________ Seeds have two cotyledons.
10.________ Flowers are arranged in groups of three.
11.________ Have one main root called a taproot.
12.________ Classified as angiosperms.