The key difference between node and internode is that the node is the point on a stem where a leaf or a bud or a branching twig originates while internode is the distance or the area between two adjacent nodes.
Plant stem is one of the main parts of a plant. In the plant stem, we can see nodes and internodes. Both nodes and internodes are important structures for holding the leaves, for the photosynthesis, for branching and determining the height of the plant.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Node
3. What is an Internode
4. Similarities Between Node and Internode
5. Side by Side Comparison – Node vs Internode in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is a Node?
Node is an important part of a plant stem. It is the point on a stem where a leaf or a bud or a branching twig originates. Conifers have nodes very close to each other. Hence, leaves appear as dense leaves or clusters. When the nodes are closer, the length of the internode becomes short. Leaves are the plant parts that carry out photosynthesis and produce foods for the entire plant and to other heterotrophs like us. Hence, plants need more leaves and the leaves should be nicely directed towards the sunlight to capture more light during the daytime. Therefore, nodes are important in originating leaves and also holding leaves upright to capture light and prevent respiration.
Figure 01: Node
Moreover, the number of leaves originating at a node varies according to the plant species. But one leaf per node is the most common way. In the nodes of the plants, there is a great cellular activity. Identification of a node in a plant is easy since there can be scars or a leaf, or a bud or a branch at the node.
What is an Internode?
Internode is the area of the stem that lies between two adjacent nodes. The length of the internode varies among the different plant species. Furthermore, the number of internodes also varies among varied plant species. Length together with the number of internodes determines the height of the plant.
Figure 02: Internode
If the number of leaves is the same between a tall plant and a dwarf plant, the variable character is the length of the internode. Length of the internode is higher in the tall plant than the dwarf plant. The length of the internode decreases when the growing season ends. At internode area, the cells have the ability to elongate and contribute to the plant height.
What are the Similarities Between Node and Internode?
- Both nodes and internodes are important structures of a plant stem.
- Cells in both parts have a maximum activity.
- Both structures affect the height of the plant.
What is the Difference Between Node and Internode?
Node and internode are two different parts of a plant stem. Node is the place where leaves, buds or branching twigs originate while internode is the area between two successive nodes. This is the key difference between node and internode. Furthermore, considering the importance of these to a plant, node is the place where leaves, buds, branching twigs originate and also, nodes help the plant in exposing the leaves to sunlight. On the other hand, the internode is important to a plant to maintain and determine its height.
The below infographic presents more details on the difference between node and internodes.
Summary – Node vs Internode
Node is a point of attachment of a leaf or a twig on the stem in plants. It is a small growth zone in a plant. Internode is an area between the two successive nodes. The cells of internodes have the ability to elongate. Both the number of nodes and internodes vary with the plant species. From some plant species, two or more leaves originate from a node, but one leaf per node is the most common. The length of the internode varies between plant species, and it will decide the height of the plant. This is the difference between node and internode.
Reference:
1.“Plant Stem.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Aug. 2018. Available here
Image Courtesy:
1.”Stem nodes”By I, Rugby471, (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2.”Internode (PSF)”By Pearson Scott Foresman (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia