Plant Growth

Photosynthesis The food manufacturing process in green plant that combine carbon dioxide and water in the presence of light to make sugar and oxygen. Formula: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O C6H12O6+ 6 O2 Carbon dioxide + Water + Light energy Glucose + Oxygen The main product of photosynthesis is sugar. The by-product of photosynthesis is oxygen.

Respiration The process through which plant leaves, stems and roots consume oxygen and give off carbon dioxide. Plants produce much more oxygen through photosynthesis than they use through respiration.

Absorption The process by which plant roots take in water. The process by which plant roots take in air.

Transpiration The process by which plants lose water from their leaves through evaporation Transpiration also occurs in the stems.

Translocation The process by which food moves within a plant from one plant part to another. The process by which nutrients move within a plant from one plant part to another.

Reproduction The plant process that increases plant numbers usually from seeds. The two main methods of reproduction are sexual and asexual.

Osmosis The process by which minerals enter the plant through cell walls. The process by which water enters the plant through cell walls.

Light Photoperiodism is the response of plants to different amounts of light regarding their flowering and reproduction cycles. Short day plants require long nights to flower. Examples are poinsettia and azalea. Long day plants require short nights to flower. Examples are African violets and spinach. Phototropism is the tendency for plants to grow toward a light source.

Moisture 90% of plant tissue is made of mostly water. Water carries nutrients throughout the plant.

Stages of plant growth Juvenile is when plants first start to grow from a seed. Vegetative is the second stage of growth that begins after the plant begins photosynthesis and actively grows leaves, stems, and roots prior to flowering Reproductive is when plants produce flowers, seeds and fruit. Dormant is when plants rest or grows very little.

Hardiness Zones Plants are categorized by zones based on the average minimum temperature. North Carolina is zones 6-8. Charlotte is zone 7.