Plant Physiology

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to plant physiology, including terms and definitions crucial for understanding plant structure and function.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose using carbon dioxide and water.

Vascular Plants

A category of plants that have specialized tissues (xylem and phloem) for transporting water, nutrients, and food.

Bryophytes

Non-vascular land plants that require water for reproduction and are often found in moist environments.

Xylem

The vascular tissue in plants responsible for the transport of water and nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant.

Phloem

The vascular tissue in plants that transports sugars and other metabolic products downward from the leaves.

Desiccation

The process of drying out, which is a significant risk for plants exposed to air.

Stomata

Small openings on the leaf surface that allow for gas exchange; they are crucial for carbon dioxide uptake and transpiration.

Guard Cells

Cells that surround stomata and control their opening and closing to regulate gas exchange and water loss.

Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM)

A photosynthetic pathway that allows plants to fix carbon dioxide at night to reduce water loss during the day.

C4 Plants

Plants that have adapted to hot, dry environments by developing a mechanism that captures carbon dioxide more efficiently than C3 plants.

Symbiosis

A relationship between two different organisms, often beneficial, such as that between plants and mycorrhizal fungi.

Nitrogen Fixation

The process by which atmospheric nitrogen is converted into a form usable by plants, often through symbiotic bacteria.

Endodermis

The innermost layer of the cortex in plant roots, involved in regulating the flow of water and nutrients into the vascular system.

Active Transport

The movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane from a region of lower concentration to higher concentration, requiring energy.

Water Vapor

Water in a gaseous state, which moves out of the leaf during transpiration.