Browsing Tag
Plant biology
5 posts
Fairy Lantern: Nature’s New-Found Unique Parasitic Puzzle
Meet the ‘Fairy Lantern’, a newly discovered plant with extraordinary parasitic features that challenge our understanding of botany.
Tomato Communication: The Role of Friends and Foes
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have examined how the composition and quantity of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in tomato plants change in response to different plant features. This study sheds light on the nuanced interactions between plants and their environment.
The Unique Evolutionary Path of Lycophytes in Plant History
A group of international researchers has made a noteworthy discovery in lycophytes, plants closely related to ferns and considered among the oldest land plants. Published in the journal PNAS, their study unveils an extraordinary genetic phenomenon: these plants have retained a remarkably consistent genetic structure for more than 350 million years, representing a notable departure from the typical patterns observed in plant genetics.
Chloroplast: Green Powerhouse of Photosynthesis
Chloroplasts are essential organelles found in plant cells that perform photosynthesis, converting sunlight into energy and producing oxygen. These green structures contain chlorophyll, a pigment crucial for capturing light energy. Chloroplasts are unique as they have their own DNA and can replicate independently. Understanding chloroplasts is pivotal in studying plant biology and photosynthesis, which is vital for life on Earth.
Unveiling the Vacuole: Exploring the Versatile Cellular Compartment
Vacuoles are membrane-bound organelles found in the cells of plants, fungi, and some protists. They play a crucial role in maintaining cell structure, storing nutrients, and regulating cellular processes. Vacuoles can occupy a significant portion of a cell's volume and are involved in processes like osmoregulation, waste storage, and detoxification. They are essential for plant growth, development, and adaptation to environmental conditions.