Plants - Keywords

Photosynthesis is a vital biological process whereby plants harness the Sun's energy to transform carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, serving as the cornerstone of life on Earth. In essence, it is the means by which plants produce their own food and release oxygen, which is essential for the survival of most living organisms. Pollen, on the other hand, is a fine, often yellow, powdery substance generated by the male parts of flowers, known as anthers. This powder is crucial for the fertilisation process in plants, as it must reach the female parts to enable reproduction.

Pollination occurs when pollen grains land on the stigma, the receptive part of a plant's female anatomy. This can happen within the same plant or between different plants, and it is a key step in the reproductive cycle. Following pollination, seed dispersal takes place, a method through which plants spread their seeds to new locations using various agents such as wind, animals, and water. The plant's reproductive structure includes the anther, which produces pollen, and the filament, a slender stalk that supports the anther. The stigma, found at the top of the style (a tube-like extension leading to the ovary), is designed to receive pollen. Within the ovary lie the ovules, cells that combine with pollen to form seeds during the process of fertilisation. Plants also feature stomata, small pores typically on the underside of leaves, which allow for the exchange of gases. Lastly, transpiration is the movement of water through the plant, facilitated by the xylem, a network of tubes that distribute water and nutrients throughout the plant.