A plant may look calm and almost motionless, but inside it, a lot is happening every second. Water is moving upward from the soil. Sugars are traveling from leaves to growing tissues. Carbon dioxide is entering through tiny openings, while water vapor is escaping into the air. All of this happens without a heart, lungs, … Read more
Look at almost any plant and you will see what appears to be a fairly simple living thing. There might be roots hidden underground, a stem growing upward, several leaves, and perhaps a few flowers or fruits. But behind that simple appearance is a surprisingly organized system. Every major plant part has a specific job. … Read more
It is easy to look at a giant sunflower, tomato plant, or tall tree and forget that many plants begin as something small enough to fit between your fingertips. Inside a tiny seed is the beginning of a new plant. Given the right combination of water, oxygen, temperature, light, and nutrients, that seed can eventually … Read more