Plant Biology and Behavior

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts in plant biology and behavior based on lecture notes.

Plant Behavior

Plants' responses to environmental stimulations such as biotic and abiotic signals.

Biotic Signals

Signals that originate from other organisms or within the organism’s own body.

Abiotic Signals

External physical signals that affect plants, including light, temperature, pressure, gravity.

Hormones

Signaling molecules produced in one cell that travel long distances to affect other cells.

Auxins

A family of hormones important for various plant growth processes, including fruit development and shoot growth.

Primary Growth

Growth that occurs at the shoot apical meristem, leading to an increase in plant height.

Polar Auxin Transport

The process of auxin being transported downward from the shoot apical meristem through the phloem.

Apical Dominance

The suppression of the growth of dormant meristems in the shoot by auxin signaling from the shoot apical meristem.

Cytokinins

Hormones that promote cell division in root and shoot meristems and have an anti-aging effect.

Ethylene

A plant hormone that influences fruit ripening, aging, and response to stress.

Ripening

The process by which fruits become edible and attractive to animals for seed dispersal.

Leaf Abscission

The dropping of leaves by plants, typically as a preparation for winter.

Pathogens

Microscopic organisms that cause disease, including diseases in plants.

Gibberellins

Hormones that promote shoot elongation, seed germination, and stimulate flowering.

Dormant Meristem

Meristems that are inactive and do not divide, often referred to as being 'asleep'.