Plant Science and World Population Overview

Vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions, scientific disciplines, and biological concepts from the lecture.

Plant

Any of various photosynthetic, eukaryotic, multicellular organisms of the kingdom Plantae characteristically producing embryos, containing chloroplasts, having cellulose cell walls, and lacking the power of locomotion.

Autotrophic Organisms

Organisms that need $H_2O$, $CO_2$, essential inorganic chemicals from soil, and $O_2$, and use light energy to fuel their own needs through photosynthesis.

Chlorophyll

The plant pigment that captures light energy and converts it to chemical energy, referred to as the green blood of the plant.

Agronomists

Plant scientists, derived from the Latin word for field, who deal with crops such as wheat, corn, soybeans, cotton, and forages.

Horticulturists

Plant scientists, derived from the Latin word for garden, who are concerned with fruits, vegetables, woody ornamentals, and floriculture crops.

Foresters

Plant scientists interested in wood and pulp production along with recreation, wildlife, and watershed management in forested areas.

Fiber Crops

Plants such as cotton, flax, and hemp used to provide raw materials for industry.

Food Chains

A pattern of flow of energy rich consumables through a biological system.

Photosynthetic Efficiency

The low percentage ($1\text{--}2\text{\%}$) of solar energy received by a place on Earth's surface that is fixed by plants.

Heterotrophic Organisms

Organisms that must ingest energy rich organic compounds to sustain life and ultimately depend on plants to provide these molecules.

Amylose

A starch produced by plants.

Linoleic Acid

A specific fatty acid from fats that is required for human nutrition.