Plant physiology
Plant Physiology
Plant physiology (/plænt fɪˈzɪɒlədʒi/) is a sub-discipline of botany concerned with the functioning, or physiology, of plants. Closely related fields include plant morphology (structure of plants), plant ecology (interactions with the environment), phytochemistry (biochemistry of plants), cell biology, genetics, biophysics and molecular biology.
Etymology
The term "physiology" comes from the Greek words "physis" which means "nature" or "origin", and "logia" which means "study of". The term "plant" comes from the Latin "planta" which means "sprout" or "shoot".
Fundamental processes
Among the most important topics of plant physiology are photosynthesis, respiration, plant nutrition, tropisms, nastic movements, photoperiodism, plant hormone functions, circadian rhythms, seed germination, dormancy, and stomata function and transpiration. Vascular plants, flowering plants, and conifers have evolved methods to transport water and nutrients from the soil to the sites of photosynthesis, such as in the leaves.
Related terms
- Botany: The scientific study of plants, including their physiology, structure, genetics, ecology, distribution, classification, and economic importance.
- Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll pigments.
- Respiration: The process in which organisms exchange gases between their body cells and the environment.
- Transpiration: The process where plants absorb water through the roots and then give off water vapor through pores in their leaves.
- Stomata: Tiny openings or pores in plant tissue that allow for gas exchange.
- Tropisms: A biological phenomenon, indicating growth or turning movement of a biological organism, usually a plant, in response to an environmental stimulus.
- Photoperiodism: The physiological reaction of organisms to the length of day or night.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Plant physiology
- Wikipedia's article - Plant physiology
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