Resource Acquisition, Nutrition, and Transport in Vascular Plants

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to resource acquisition, nutrition, and transport in vascular plants.

Phloem

Vascular tissue responsible for transporting photosynthetic products from sources (like leaves) to sinks (like roots or fruits).

Xylem

Vascular tissue that carries water and minerals from roots to shoots in plants.

Apoplast

The network of cell walls and intercellular spaces within plants through which water and solutes can move.

Symplast

The interconnected system of cytoplasm of living cells in a plant.

Water potential (Ψ)

A measure of the potential energy in water, influencing the direction of water movement in plants.

Turgor pressure

The pressure exerted by the fluid inside the plant cell against the cell wall, maintaining the cell's rigidity.

Aquaporins

Channel proteins in cell membranes that facilitate the transport of water across the membrane.

Mutualism

A type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit, such as plants and their mycorrhizal fungi.

Stomata

Small openings on the surface of leaves that allow for gas exchange and water loss.

Rhizobacteria

Soil bacteria that can enhance plant growth by increasing nutrient availability and forming beneficial relationships with plant roots.