chapter 6: Plant nutrition

photosynthesis

the process by which plants photosynthesis carbohydrates from raw materials using energy from light

carbon dioxide + water —> glucose + oxygen

6CO2 + 6H2O —> C6H12O6 + 6O2

vascular bundle

collections of xylem tubes and phloem vessels running side by side which form the veins

epidermis

the outer layer of tissue on a plant; also the outer layer of an animals skin

secrete

make a useful substance and then send it out of the cell where it is made to be used in the body

cuticle

a thin layer of wax that covers the upper surface of a leaf

palisade mesophyll

the layer of cells immediately after the upper epidermis, where most photosynthesis happens

spongy mesophyll

the layer immediately after the palisade mesophyll; some photosynthesis happens here, many air spaces.

stomata

opening in the (usually lower) surface of the leaf

gaurd cells

surround the stomata and controls its opening

control

a standard sample that you use as a comparision to find the effect of changing a variable

limiting factor

a factor that is in short supply which stops an activity from happening at a faster rate