Plant Resource Acquisition and Nutrition, Hawaii Plants, Plant Behavior

Water Potential

Measurement in MPa combining solute concentration and pressure.

Apoplast

External pathway for water around living cells.

Symplast

Pathway through living cells via cytosol.

Casparian Strip

Waxy barrier preventing apoplastic water entry.

Cohesion-Tension Hypothesis

Transpiration and cohesion pull water through roots.

Stoma

Pore for gas exchange, controlled by guard cells.

Guard Cells

Cells regulating stoma diameter by changing shape.

Phloem Sap

Aqueous solution high in sucrose, moves nutrients.

Sugar Source

Organ producing excess sugar, like mature leaves.

Sugar Sink

Organ consuming or storing sugar, like tubers.

Macronutrients

Essential elements required in large amounts for plants.

Micronutrients

Essential elements needed in small amounts for plants.

Mycorrhizae

Mutualistic fungi-plant associations enhancing nutrient uptake.

Nitrogen Fixation

Conversion of atmospheric nitrogen to usable forms.

Nitrate

Form of nitrogen absorbed by plants from soil.

Ammonium

Another form of nitrogen absorbed by plants.

Transpiration

Water loss from leaves through stomata.

Xylem

Vascular tissue transporting water and minerals upward.

Phloem

Vascular tissue transporting sugars throughout the plant.

Cohesion

Water molecules sticking together due to hydrogen bonds.

Adhesion

Water molecules sticking to other substances.

Positive Pressure

Pressure that increases water potential, aiding movement.

Negative Pressure

Tension that decreases water potential, pulling water.

Fertilization

Process of replenishing soil nutrients for plant growth.

Industrial Fertilizers

Commercial products enriched with N, P, K nutrients.

Rhizobium Bacteria

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria forming symbiotic relationships with legumes.

Carnivorous Plants

Plants obtaining nitrogen by digesting animals.

Hot Spot

Stationary volcanic region under the Pacific Plate.

Kīlauea Volcano

Active volcano located in Hawaiʻi, known for eruptions.

Trade Winds

Prevailing winds affecting moisture distribution in Hawaiʻi.

Windward Side

Moister side of an island facing the wind.

Leeward Side

Drier side of an island, sheltered from winds.

Strand Zone

Coastal area exposed to ocean spray.

Naupaka

Coastal plant, Scaevola, adapted to salt spray.

Coconut

Cocos nucifera, an alien coastal plant.

Coastal Zone

Drier lowland area beyond ocean spray influence.

Hawaiian Coral Tree

Native tree, Erythrina sandwicensis, found in coastal zones.

Dry Forest Zone

Forest area between 200-1000 m elevation, leeward.

Soapberry

Native tree, Sapindus saponaria, found in dry forests.

Mesic Forest Zone

Moist forest from 750 to 1250 m elevation.

Ohi'a lehua

Native tree, Metrosideros polymorpha, in mesic forests.

Rain Forest Zone

Rainforest at 1700 to 2000 m elevation, high rainfall.

Hawaiian Tree Fern

Cibotium, native fern in rain forest zones.

Inversion Layer

Layer where warm air meets rising cool air.

Cool Dry Forest Zone

Forest above inversion layer, temperate climate.

Māmane

Endemic shrub, Sophora chrysophylla, in cool dry forests.

Alpine Zone

Zone above treeline at 2750 m elevation.

Hawaiian Silverswords

Argyroxiphium, endemic plant in alpine regions.

Pūkiawe

Styphelia tameiameiae, shrub found in alpine zones.

Light

Primary environmental factor influencing plant growth.

Heat stress

Negative impact of high temperatures on plants.

Cold stress

Negative impact of low temperatures on plants.

Daylength

Duration of light exposure affecting plant processes.

Seasons

Seasonal changes influencing plant growth patterns.

Hormones

Chemical signals regulating physiological processes in plants.

Gravity

Force affecting plant orientation and growth direction.

Internal chemical signals

Molecules coordinating plant responses to stimuli.

Wounding by herbivores

Damage caused by plant-eating organisms.

Touch by wind

Mechanical interaction affecting plant growth.

Infection by pathogens

Disease caused by microorganisms affecting plant health.

Drought

Water scarcity impacting plant survival and growth.

Flooding

Excess water affecting root oxygen availability.

Signal transduction

Process of converting external signals into cellular responses.

Cytoplasm

Cellular fluid where metabolic processes occur.

Cell wall

Rigid outer layer providing structure to plant cells.

Receptor

Molecule detecting environmental or hormonal signals.

Transduction

Conversion of a signal into a cellular response.

Response

Outcome of a plant's reaction to stimuli.

Auxin

Hormone promoting cell elongation and growth.

Phototropism

Growth response towards light direction.

Cytokinins

Hormones promoting cell division and growth.

Gibberellins

Hormones stimulating stem elongation and seed germination.

Ethylene

Gas hormone regulating fruit ripening and stress responses.

Thigmomorphogenesis

Growth changes due to mechanical disturbance.

Gravitropism

Growth response to gravitational pull.

Alkaloids

Bitter plant toxins derived from amino acids.

Phenolics

Compounds with antiseptic properties in plants.

Strigolactones

Hormones involved in root development and mycorrhizae.

Tropism

Curvature response of plant organs to stimuli.

De-etiolation

Process of greening in response to light.

Statoliths

Dense particles aiding gravity detection in plants.

Jasmonates

Hormones regulating plant defense mechanisms.