From clockwise, upper left: Halberd-leaf Hibiscus (Hibiscus laevis) and Purple
Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) by Joseph A. Marcus; Buttonbush (Cephalanthus
occidentalis) by Campbell and Lynn Loughmiller; Purple Leatherflower (Clematis
pitcher) by Joseph A. Marcus. All images courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower
Center.
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Photosynthesis = process by which plants convert carbon dioxide into their food
(photosynthates = sugars, starches, carbohydrates and proteins), by using the
energy derived from the Sun. Essential elements = sunlight, water, carbon dioxide,
and chlorophyll. The leaves and stem of a plant have microscopic holes, known as
stomata, through which the carbon dioxide enters the plant. While carbon dioxide is
absorbed by leaves, water enters the plant through its roots. After being absorbed
by the roots, water travels all the way through the stem to reach the leaves where
the actual process takes place.
Illustration of photosynthetic process at:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/photosynthesis-for-kids.html.
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Plant leaves are where the entire process occurs. Within tissue of the plant leaf and
some stem tissue = sub-cellular structures (chloroplasts) containing green-colored
photosynthetic pigment called chlorophyll; captures energy from sunlight and storing
for further use. The energy, which is captured, is eventually used to convert water
into hydrogen and oxygen. While hydrogen is combined with carbon dioxide and
used by the plant to produce its food, oxygen―being a by-product of the entire
process―is released into the atmosphere through the stomata. The entire process
can be put forth in the form on an equation: 6CO2 + 6H2O + Light energy →
C6H12O6 + 6O2
Illustration of stoma function: University of California Museum of Paleontology's
Understanding Evolution (http://evolution.berkeley.edu)
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Image: Texas Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri) by Joseph
A. Marcus. Image courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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Transpiration – water loss from plant tissue; evaporation of water from leaves
results in a suction force pulling water up the xylem vessels and out through
stomata. This force due to transpiration is main factor in lifting dissolved mineral
salts up the plant from the roots to the leaves
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Respiration – process whereby plant obtain energy by oxidation of food (sugars,
glucose) utilized for cellular activities. Breathing is different from transpiration as it
involves gaseous exchange from the atmospheric air.
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The circulatory system and the vascular system transport nutrients and water to
different parts of an organism. A plants vascular system consist of vascular tissues
that allows the flow of water and nutrients through plants. Vascular tissues consists
of xylem and phloem vessels.
Illustration: Elizabeth Morales
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Vascular tissues consists of xylem and phloem vessels. The xylem main function is
to transport inorganic nutrients and water through a plant and is found closely to the
center of a plant. A good example of a xylem is wood which consists of dead cells
with a tube like structure.
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The phloem consist of living cells and is located closely to the outside of a plant.
The phloem transport organic nutrients to the upper part of the plant. The phloem
also consists of living cells called sieve-tube members, between the sieve-tube
members are sieve plates, which have pores that allow molecules to pass through.
Illustration: Elizabeth Morales
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Cambium - a layer of actively dividing cells between xylem (fluid-conducting) and
phloem (food-conducting) tissues that is responsible for the secondary growth of
stems and roots, resulting in an increase in thickness. A cambium may also form
within callus tissues.
Illustration: Elizabeth Morales
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Images from Purves et al., Life: The Science of Biology, 4th Edition, by Sinauer
Associates (www.sinauer.com) and WH Freeman (www.whfreeman.com), used with
permission. From website:
http://www2.estrellamountain.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/biobookplantanatii.html.
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Illustration: Elizabeth Morales. Girdled tree image:
"AnnelageAnnélationGirdling1LilleLamiot3" by Lamiot - Own work. Licensed under
CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AnnelageAnn%C3%A9lationGirdling1LilleL
amiot3.jpg#/media/File:AnnelageAnn%C3%A9lationGirdling1LilleLamiot3.jpg
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Illustration from Ohio State University:
http://140.254.84.203/wiki/index.php/Monocots
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Two main types of plant roots = tap roots (dicots) and fibrous roots (monocots).
Taproot system = deep-rooted. The taproot system enables the plant to anchor
better to the soil and obtain water from deeper sources.
In all plants, the primary root develops from the embryonic root (radicle). Lateral
roots develop from taproot which may initially grow horizontally then turn downward.
These roots form finer roots which terminate in a root tip with a minute, domeshaped, protective root cap at the tip-most part. As the root grows, it pushes its root
cap forward, probing the soil and absorbing water and nutrients mainly through fine
root hairs. These root hairs are short-lived and constantly replaced. To enhance the
development of more lateral roots in taproot plants, pruning of the taproot is
practiced (bonsai trees). In contrast, shallow-rooted plants are more susceptible to
drought but they have the ability to respond quickly to fertilizer application.
Illustration of fibrous and taproot plants - © 2007 Thomson Higher Education; from:
http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/
Illustration of plant embryo to first true leave; from:
http://quizlet.com/19773253/kipp-plant-science-lab-practical-1-flash-cards/
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The primary root which develops from a radicle and becomes dominant is called a
taproot (carrot). Roots that develop from other roots are generally = lateral roots;
those that arise from other plant organs rather than the root (stems or leaves) =
adventitious roots.
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Illustration of photosynthetic process at:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/photosynthesis-for-kids.html.
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Fluorescent or cool-white light is high in the blue range of light quality and is used to
encourage leafy growth. These lights are excellent for starting seedlings.
Incandescent light is high in the red or orange range but generally produces too
much heat to be a valuable light source. Fluorescent "grow" lights have a mixture of
red and blue colors that attempts to imitate sunlight as closely as possible. They are
costly and generally not of any greater value than regular fluorescent lights.
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Short-day = form flowers when day length < 12 hours (spring and fall flowering:
chrysanthemum and poinsettia)
Long-day = form flowers when day length > 12 hours (summer)
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Illustration of photosynthetic process at:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/photosynthesis-for-kids.html.
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From left to right: Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) by Carolyn Fannon;
and Inland Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) by Sally and Andy Wasowski. All
images this page courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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Comparing warm-season and cool-season grasses – USDA NRCS:
http://teamhabitat.sjrcd.org/WSGMaryland.pdf
Native Cool Season Grasses in Missouri – USDA Forest Service:
http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/jrnl/2010/nrs_2010_navarrete-tindall_002.pdf
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Plants can be classified as either hardy or non-hardy depending upon their ability to
withstand cold temperatures. Winter injury can occur to non-hardy plants if
temperatures are too low or if unseasonably low temperatures occur late in the
spring or early in the fall. Winter injury may also occur because of desiccation
(drying out).
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Illustration of photosynthetic process at:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/photosynthesis-for-kids.html.
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From: http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/botany/environmental.html
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For example, if a kilogram of air at 75°F could hold 4 grams of water vapor and
there are only 3 grams of water in the air, then the relative humidity (RH) is: RH =
3/4 = .75 expressed as a % = 75%
From: http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/botany/environmental.html
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For example, if a kilogram of air at 75°F could hold 4 grams of water vapor and
there are only 3 grams of water in the air, then the relative humidity (RH) is: RH =
3/4 = .75 expressed as a % = 75%
From: http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/botany/environmental.html
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Illustration of photosynthetic process at:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/photosynthesis-for-kids.html.
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All 18 elements, both macronutrients and micronutrients are essential for plant
growth.
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Calcium is used by plants in cell membranes, at their growing points and to
neutralize toxic materials. In addition, calcium improves soil structure and helps bind
organic and inorganic particles together.
Magnesium is the only metallic component of chlorophyll. Without it, plants can't
process sunlight.
Sulfur is a component of many proteins.
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Calcium is used by plants in cell membranes, at their growing points and to
neutralize toxic materials. In addition, calcium improves soil structure and helps bind
organic and inorganic particles together.
Magnesium is the only metallic component of chlorophyll. Without it, plants can't
process sunlight.
Sulfur is a component of many proteins.
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Image from University of Miami, Department of Biology:
http://www.bio.miami.edu/dana/226/226F09_12.html
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Illustration of photosynthetic process at:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/photosynthesis-for-kids.html.
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