Plant Physiology

Abiotic Drivers

Physical and chemical factors like light, temperature, water, and nutrients that influence plant performance and distribution.

Biotic Drivers

Living factors including competitors, herbivores, pathogens, and symbionts that affect plant performance.

Fundamental Niche

The full range of physical conditions under which a plant can survive and reproduce.

Realized Niche

The actual conditions under which a plant exists, constrained by biotic interactions like competition.

Adaptation

An evolutionary adjustment in physiology at the population level over generations via natural selection.

Acclimation

Physiological adjustment in a single individual during its lifetime in response to environmental stress.

Rigid Cell Wall

Structure that encloses the plant cell, preventing osmotic lysis and allowing growth through oriented cell division.

Plasmodesmata

Microscopic channels in plant cell walls that enable direct cell-to-cell transport of substances.

Large Central Vacuole

Major water reserve maintaining turgor pressure and isolating toxic compounds in plant cells.

Chloroplast

A plastid containing thylakoids for light reactions of photosynthesis and retains a circular genome.

Totipotency

The ability of plant cells to de-differentiate and regenerate entire tissues or organs.

Parenchyma

Ground tissue type with thin walls, involved in photosynthesis, storage, and wound repair.

Collenchyma

Ground tissue type with flexible support, characterized by elongated cells with thickened walls.

Sclerenchyma

Ground tissue type with thick, lignified walls; provides rigid structural support.

Fibers

Sclerenchyma cells that provide flexible load-bearing support.

Sclereids

Short, branched sclerenchyma cells providing rigid protection and defense.

Homeostasis

The ability of plants to maintain stable internal conditions in response to abiotic stressors.