12. Plant Growth

A quantitative change in which plants increase in size and complexity.

Plant Growth

The process by which plants increase in size and complexity through cell division, cell elongation, and cell differentiation.

Plant Growth Process

A measurable change in size, mass, volume, or number of cells.

Quantitative Change

The production of new cells that contributes to plant growth.

Cell Division

*The increase in cell size that contributes to the growth of plant organs.

Cell Elongation

The process by which cells become specialized in structure and function.

Cell Differentiation

Factors Regulating Plant Growth

Internal and external factors that regulate cell division, elongation, and differentiation.

A qualitative change in which plants acquire their final form and function.

Plant Development

A change in the characteristics, structure, organization, or function of an organism rather than simply its size.

Qualitative Change

The process by which plants acquire their final form and function through changes such as cell differentiation and organ formation.

Plant Development Process

Factors Regulating Plant Development

Genetic and environmental factors.

Structures such as leaves, stems, and flowers that develop from differentiated cells.

Specialized Plant Organs

Plant Growth vs Plant Development

Growth is mainly a quantitative increase in size and complexity, while development is a qualitative change involving specialization, organization, and acquisition of final form and function.

Factors Affecting Plant Growth and Development

Genetic factors, environmental factors, and hormones.

The internal, inherited characteristics of a plant that determine its potential for growth and development and influence traits such as yield, disease resistance, and overall structure.

Genetic Factors

Traits passed from parent plants to offspring through genetic information that influence growth and development.

Inherited Characteristics

The capacity of a plant to develop particular characteristics based on its inherited genetic information.

Genetic Potential

The interaction between a plant's genes and environmental conditions that determines its final characteristics.

Gene–Environment Interaction

External conditions that affect plant growth and development, including light, temperature, water, and nutrients.

Environmental Factors

An environmental factor that significantly affects plant growth and development.

Light

An environmental factor that influences plant growth and development.

Temperature

An environmental factor essential for and affecting plant growth and development.

Water

Environmental resources required by plants that affect their growth and development.

Nutrients

Chemical messengers that regulate plant growth and development by moving from cell to cell.

Plant Hormones

Plant hormones are synthesized in different parts of the plant and can be transported to other areas.

Hormone Synthesis in Plants

The movement of plant hormones from where they are synthesized to other parts of the plant where they trigger specific responses.

Hormone Transport

Plant hormones regulate growth and development by triggering specific responses in plant cells and tissues.

Hormone Function

A young plant with developing roots, stem, and leaves.

Seedling

The plant develops leafy leaves, stems, and roots without reproductive parts

Vegetative Growth

The plant produces flowers for reproduction.

Flowering

Pollen is transferred to the stigma.

Pollination

Male and female gametes fuse to form a zygote.

Fertilization

The fertilized ovule develops into a seed, and the ovary may develop into a fruit.

Fruit/Ripening

Promote cell elongation, root growth, and tropisms that is scared of light.

Auxins

Promote stem elongation, seed germination, and fruit growth.

Gibberellins

Promote cell division, delay leaf aging, and girth

Cytokinins

Promotes seed dormancy and helps plants respond to drought.

Abscisic Acid (ABA)

Promotes fruit ripening and leaf/flower shedding.

Ethylene