Plant Physiology

Plant physiology is a subdiscipline of botany concerned with the function, or physiology, of plants. Plant Physiology is emerging as the key biological science and it is providing models used in molecular biology for research. The book deals with the physical and physiological processes relevant to plant functions at the molecular and subcellular levels.

Most of the discussions is based directly on data selected from the original literature much of which is presented in tabular or graphical form. A consistent attempt has been made to keep the discussion abreast of modern developments in plant physiology without neglecting concepts which have stood the test of time. Water is an essential requirement for plant growth. Plants have a complex xylem system that moves water from the soil all the way up to the leaves, where it is used to make energy. The xylem moves water absorbed in the roots to the top of the plant through a process called transpiration. Water evaporates from the leaves, causing more water to flow upward to fill the gap. Think of it like a blood vessel system for the plant:

The leaves act like the heart – a driving force moving water through the plant – and the xylem acts like the blood vessels. Properties of water, like adhesion and cohesion, where water sticks to itself and the xylem walls, helps the water to climb upward as well. This ensures the suitability of this book for students of Botany and to those appearing in various competitive examinations.