Plant Cell

The building blocks of plants, with there being different types of plant cells, for example collenchyma, parenchyma, sclerenchyma, phloem, or xylem, performing different functions within a plant. The basic structure is similar although there will be different components within a cell: • Cell wall: An outer layer of cells that surrounds a plant cell and which provide structure and strength to the cell. • Cell membrane: A thin inner layer which encloses the cell contents. • Chloroplast: A specialised cell where photosynthesis takes place. • Granum: A collection of discs (Thylakoids) whic

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  Plant Growth and Development, How Plant Hormones and Tropisms Regulate

Plant hormones and tropisms regulate plant growth and development through chemical reactions and external stimuli which influence the functioning of plant cells. Plant hormones (e.g. Abscisic Acid, Auxins, Cytokinins, Ethylene, Gibberellins) in very small concentrations, can encourage a range of actions (depending on the specific hormone) including cell division, cell elongation, drought resistance, cold resistance, and seed germination. Plant tropisms (see entry for this term) are the external stimuli to which a plant responds, either positively or negatively, utilising hormones to control th

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  Plant Hardiness

The ability of a plant to survive certain temperatures, especially low temperatures over the winter period, or as an indication of when to plant out as bedding plants. • Hardy This describes a plant that can withstand cold freezing temperatures. • Half-hardy These plants can be grown outdoors once the risk of frost has passed. They can survive in low temperatures. Examples of half-hardy annuals are the African Marigold; Lobelia; Zinnia. Examples of half-hardy perennials are Impatiens, Petunia (however, these plants are often grown as annuals). • Tender These plants must no

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  Plant Litter

Dead, but undecomposed, plant material, especially grass leaves and the remains of sheaths, which can be present on the sward surface or at the base of a grass sward. Leaves and sheaths are constantly dying off as part of a grass plant's natural lifecycle. This material needs to be removed to keep a turfgrass surface free of decaying material and kept in a healthy condition. Also referred to as Surface Litter, Litter, or uncommonly, Pseudo-Thatch, which can have a slightly different meaning.

  Plant Metabolism

The range of chemical and physical processes of photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration involved in plant growth and development.

  Plant Metabolite

A small molecule which is the result of a metabolic process.

  Plant Physiology

The scientific study of the functions and interactions of the functions within a plant.

  Plant Seeds

These can come in different shapes, sizes and colours that can help in the identification of similar seeds. Seeds may be enclosed within their fruit when bought from a shop, such as sunflower 'seeds'. They can also have attachments which aid seed dispersal (e,g, dandelion), hairs, propellers (e.g. maples), hooks (e.g. burdock), awns (e.g. some grasses) or may be 'sticky' (e.g. cleavers). Seed weight and number can range from many seeds per gram of weight to a single seed of the Palm tree (Coco de Mer) which weighs in at around 20kg.

  Plant Stress Response

The physiological response of a plant to conditions of stress, such as drought, excess artificial light applications, soil compaction, waterlogged conditions, low cutting heights, high nutrient salt concentrations, or drying winds.

  Plant Taxonomy

The scientific identification, description, naming and classification of plants.