taproot

• a single prominent root
• can have many small roots coming out of it
• taps mositure from deep in the ground
• used to store energy

fibrous roots

• a shallow system of roots
• can quickly soak up moisture

differentially permeable membrane

(same as semi- permeable)

• some things are allowed through and some things aren't
• important in osmosis, because water can cross the semi-permeable membrane

diffusion

• the movement of particles from high concentration to low concentration
• example: perfume diffuses throughout a room, and can eventually be smelled far away from the person wearing it.

osmosis

• the diffusion of water through a semi-permeable membrane
• it's how water enters the root of a plant

photosynthesis

• the process by which plants make their own food using sunlight
• H₂O and  CO₂  combine to form sugars

respiration

• when plants burn their sugars for energy
• requires oxygen and sugar
• produce carbon dioxide and water

transpiration

• the loss of water from a plant through evaporation
• happens through the stomata
• important because it pulls water up the plant

selective breeding

• breeding plants together that have the characteristics we want
• example: corn plants with large cobs are bred together to make corn with bigger and bigger cobs!

genes

• the genetic material of a living thing
• passed from parents to children
• made up of DNA
• determines the characteristics of the plant

sexual reproduction

• when two seperate living things breed
• the offspring have a combination of the parents genes

vegetative reproduction

• when a parent plant grows a new plant from its roots, stems or leaves
• the offspring are genetic clones of the parent

ovule

• eggs produced by the female part of the plant (ovary)

pollination

• the process where pollen (contains sperm) travels to the ovule (the egg)

flower

• part of a plant that contains the reproductive structures
• also has a role in attracting pollinators (smell, color)

pistil

• the female part of a flower
• it's made up of the stigma, the style, and the ovary

stamen

• the male part of a flower
• contains the anther, filament and pollen

sepals

• green leafy part at the bottom of a flower
• protect the flower before it opens

stigma

• sticky part at the top of the pistil (female part)
• pollen sticks to it

ovary

• chamber at the bottom of the style
• contains the plants ovules (eggs)

filament

• stalk-like structures that hold up the anthers

anther

• where pollen is produced
• are found on the tips of the filaments

embryo

• a tiny living plant inside a seed

fruit

• growing ovary of a plant
• protects the seeds

seed dispersal

• the transport of seeds away from the parent plant
• can be through, wind, falling to ground, catching on animal fur (burrs), birds (poop out seeds)

germination

• the development of a seed into a new plant