Botany terms

Anther

The part of the stamen that produces pollen.

Apical Dominance

The suppression of lateral bud growth by the terminal bud.

Auxins

Plant hormones that promote cell growth and elongation.

Berry

A fleshy fruit developed from a compound ovary with multiple seeds.

Calyx

All the sepals of a flower collectively.

Catabolism

Enzymatic reactions that break bonds and release energy.

Chlorophyll

A pigment in green plants that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis.

Cotyledons

Seed leaves that are the first to enlarge during germination.

Critical Day Length

The maximum or minimum day length required for a plant to initiate flowering.

Cytokinins

Plant hormones that promote cell division.

Dehiscent Fruit

A dry fruit that splits open at maturity to release seeds.

Differentiation

The process by which cells develop different forms and functions.

Diffusion

The movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Diploid

Having two sets of chromosomes (2n).

Drupe

A fleshy fruit with a single seed enclosed in a stony endocarp (pit).

Endocarp

The inner boundary around seeds in a fruit.

Ethylene

A plant hormone that regulates fruit ripening and senescence.

Exocarp

The outer skin of a fruit.

Filament

The stem-like structure that supports the anther in a stamen.

Gametophyte

The haploid generation in plants that produces gametes.

Gibberellins

Plant hormones that stimulate stem elongation and seed germination.

Gravitropism

Growth in response to gravity.

Haploid

Having one set of chromosomes (n).

Indehiscent Fruit

A dry fruit that does not split open at maturity; the seed remains enclosed.

Meiosis

The type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in sex cells (gametes).

Mesocarp

The fleshy tissue between the endocarp and exocarp in a fruit.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water through a semipermeable membrane.

Ovary

The base of the pistil in a flower, where ovules develop.

Pedicle

The stalk that connects the flower to the stem.

Pericarp

The outer wall of a fruit, derived from the ovary wall.

Petals

The brightly colored portions of a flower that attract pollinators.

Photoperiodism

The regulation of physiology and development in response to day length.

Phototropism

Growth towards a light source.

Pistil

The female reproductive structure in a flower, consisting of the stigma, style, and ovary.

Plumule

The rudimentary stem in a seed embryo.

Radicle

The rudimentary root in a seed embryo.

Receptacle

The part of the flower stalk where the flower parts are attached.

Scarification

The process of damaging the seed coat to promote germination.

Seed Coat

The protective outer covering of a seed.

Senescence

The process of aging and eventual death in plant cells or organs.

Sepals

The green, leaf-like structures beneath the petals of a flower.

Sporophyte

The diploid generation in plants that produces spores.

Stamen

The male reproductive structure in a flower, consisting of the anther and filament.

Stigma

The receptive surface at the top of the pistil that receives pollen.

Style

The stalk connecting the stigma to the ovary in a flower.

Translocation

The movement of sugars from a source to a sink in plants.

Transpiration

The evaporation of water from the stomata of plants.

Tropisms

Permanent plant movements in response to external stimuli.

Turgid

Firm or swollen due to water pressure in plant cells.