The Multifaceted Role of Plants: Food, Medicine, and Ecosystem Services

Vocabulary flashcards covering food, medicine, and ecosystem roles of plants, their processes, and plant-cell organelles.

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen.

Glucose

A simple sugar produced during photosynthesis that serves as an energy source for plants.

Oxygen

Gas released as a byproduct of photosynthesis; essential for aerobic respiration.

Chloroplast

Organelle in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs.

Chlorophyll

Green pigment that captures light energy to drive photosynthesis.

Nutrients

Essential nutrients provided by plants: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Staple crops

Main crops that supply the majority of calories for a population (e.g., rice, wheat).

Producer

An organism, such as a green plant, that creates energy via photosynthesis and forms the base of the food chain.

Primary consumers

Organisms that feed on producers (herbivores).

Secondary consumers

Organisms that feed on primary consumers (carnivores/omnivores).

Tertiary consumers

Organisms that feed on secondary consumers.

Energy Pyramid

Diagram showing energy transfer between trophic levels; energy decreases up the pyramid and producers are at the base.

Medicinal plant

Plant containing bioactive compounds used for health and treatment.

Aloe vera

Medicinal plant known for skin healing and soothing properties.

Turmeric

Rhizome used in medicine; source of curcumin with anti-inflammatory effects.

Ginger

Rhizome used in traditional medicine with anti-inflammatory properties.

Aspirin

Drug derived from willow bark used to relieve pain and inflammation.

Quinine

Antimalarial drug derived from cinchona bark.

Morphine

Opioid analgesic derived from the opium poppy.

Flavonoids

Class of plant polyphenols with antioxidant properties.

Alkaloids

Nitrogen-containing compounds with strong pharmacological effects.

Sterols

Plant sterols (phytosterols) that can influence cholesterol metabolism.

Volatile oils

Aroma compounds (essential oils) that readily vaporize.

Secondary metabolites

Compounds not required for basic growth but for defense, signaling, and adaptation.

Bioavailability

Rate and extent to which a compound is absorbed and used by the body.

Piperine

Compound from black pepper that enhances absorption of curcumin.

Curcumin

Active compound in turmeric with anti-inflammatory effects.

Synergistic effects

Interactions where combined compounds produce a greater effect than individually.

Inhibition of metabolic degradation

One compound slows breakdown of another, prolonging its action.

Terpenes

Large class of organic compounds involved in defense, fragrance, and flavor.

Adulteration

Unsafe practice of adding synthetic drugs or other substances to herbal products.

Regulatory frameworks

Systems (WHO, FDA, EU) governing safety, efficacy, and quality of herbal medicines.

Conservation of medicinal plants

Efforts to protect wild medicinal plants and their habitats to preserve biodiversity.

Deforestation

Removal of forest cover, threatening plant biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Habitat

Natural environment where a plant or animal lives.

Pollination

Transfer of pollen by animals or wind, enabling plant reproduction.

Carbon sequestration

Plants absorb CO2 and store carbon, mitigating climate change.

Oxygen production

Oxygen produced by photosynthesis in plants.

Soil health

Soil structure, nutrients, and microbial life supporting plant growth.

Biodiversity

Variety of life in an environment; essential for ecosystem resilience.

Habitat creation

Plants provide habitats for pollinators and other organisms.

Cell wall

Rigid layer outside the plant cell membrane; made of cellulose; provides support.

Cell membrane

Phospholipid bilayer that regulates substance movement in and out of the cell.

Nucleus

Organelle containing genetic material (DNA) and controlling cell activities.

Mitochondria

Organelle where most energy is produced during cellular respiration.

Vacuole

Organelle that maintains turgor and stores cell sap.

Cytoplasm

Fluid inside the cell where many metabolic reactions occur.

Golgi complex

Organelle that processes and packages proteins and lipids.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Organelle that synthesizes proteins and lipids.

Lysosome

Organelle containing enzymes that digest large molecules.

Peroxisome

Organelle that oxidizes specific biomolecules.

Plant

Eukaryotic, usually multicellular, photosynthetic organisms with cellulose cell walls.