Week 8: Plant Transportation and Nutrition

A set of flashcards covering key concepts and terminologies from the lecture on plant transportation and nutrition.

Passive Transport

Movement of substances across cell membranes without the use of metabolic energy.

Active Transport

Movement of substances across cell membranes using metabolic energy (ATP) to transport against a concentration gradient.

Diffusion

The spontaneous movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane from a region of higher water concentration to a lower water concentration.

Turgor Pressure

The pressure of the cell contents against the cell wall due to water uptake, important for maintaining plant structure.

Symport

Transport mechanism where two substances are moved in the same direction across a membrane.

Antiport

Transport mechanism where one substance moves in one direction while another moves in the opposite direction across a membrane.

Hydroponic Culture

A method of growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions in water.

Source (in phloem transport)

Any region of the plant where organic substances are loaded into the phloem.

Sink (in phloem transport)

Any region of the plant where organic substances are unloaded from the phloem.

Macronutrients

Essential nutrients required by plants in large quantities, e.g., Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K).

Micronutrients

Essential nutrients required by plants in trace amounts, e.g., Iron (Fe) and Copper (Cu).

Xylem

Vascular tissue responsible for the transport of water and minerals from roots to the rest of the plant.

Phloem

Vascular tissue responsible for the transport of sugars and organic compounds throughout the plant.

Transpiration

The process of water vapor loss from plant surfaces, primarily through stomata.

Stomata

Pores on the plant surface that regulate gas exchange and water loss.

Guard Cells

Specialized cells surrounding stomata that control their opening and closing.

Transpiration

Evaporation of water out of plants

Adhesion

The tendency of water molecules to stick to the sides of their container

Cohesion

The tendency of water molecules to stick together because of hydrogen boding

Tension

the negative pressure gradient created by adhesion of water to xylem as water evaporates out of plants