ACTUAL BOTANY

Transpiration

How water moves in and out of plants.

Xerophyte

A plant adapted to survive in dry environments.

Deep roots

An adaptation that allows plants to access more water.

Waxy cuticles

A leaf adaptation that helps retain water.

Reduced leaf size

An adaptation to minimize transpiration.

Rolled Leaves

An adaptation to maintain humidity and reduce wind flow.

Stomata in pits

Adaptation that creates humidity around stomatal openings and reduces exposure to wind.

Leaf hairs

Structures that reduce airflow and trap water and moisture.

Thick waxy cuticle

A protective layer on leaves that resembles plastic.

Cuticle

The outer layer on the leaf that protects the plant from water loss.

Mesophyll

The leaf layer responsible for various functions, especially secreting and storing oils and starch.

Palisade Layer

The leaf layer exposed to light, where photosynthesis occurs.

Spongy mesophyll

Region in the leaf where gas exchanges occur.

Veins

Network of structures in the leaf that transport water and nutrients.

Calvin Cycle

A series of biochemical reactions in photosynthesis that convert carbon into glucose.

Apoplast

Pathway for water movement through spaces between plant cells.

Symplast

Pathway for water movement through the cytoplasm of plant cells via plasmodesmata.

Xylem

Vessels composed of tubular dead cells that transport water and nutrients from roots to leaves.

Lignin

A polymer that strengthens the xylem tissue.

Tropism

A plant's growth response to an external stimulus.

Phototropism

Growth response of plants toward light.

Gravitropism

Growth response of plants toward gravity.

Thigmotropism

Growth response of plants to touch.

Chemotropism

Growth response of plants to chemicals.

Hydrotropism

Growth response of plants to water.

Pollination

The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of flowers.

Fertilization

The process of forming a zygote by fertilizing an egg.

Female Gametes

Gametes produced in the ovaries of the plant.

Sperm

The pollen grain that serves as the male gamete.

Stigma

The part of the carpel that receives pollen.

Style

The middle section of the carpel in a flower.

Ovaries

The bottom part of the carpel where ovules are located.

Ethylene

A plant hormone in gaseous form.

Positive Feedback

A process where the response to a stimulus enhances the original stimulus.

Negative Feedback

A process that counteracts a change to maintain equilibrium.