sugar sink a plant organ that is a net consumer or storer of sugar.

Growing roots, shoot tips, stems, and fruits are sugar sinks supplied by phloem. companion (transfer) cell Found alongside each sieve tube element. Companion cells in leaves help load sugars into the sievetube elements, which then transport the sugars to other parts of the plant. nitrogen fixation The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen (N2) to ammonia (NH3). Biological nitrogen fixation is carried out by certain prokaryotes, some of which have mutualistic relationships with plants. nitrogenase Enzymes used by some organisms to fix atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2). root nodules Swellings composed of plant cells that have been infected by Rhyzobium. mycorrhizae A mutualistic association of plant roots and fungus. sporophyte In organisms that have alternation of generations, the multicellular diploid form that results from the union of gametes. The sporophyte produces haploid spores by meiosis that develop into gametophytes. gametophyte In organisms that have alternation of generations, the multicellular haploid form that produces haploid gametes by mitosis. The haploid gametes unite and develop into sporophytes. alternation of generations A life cycle in which there is both a multicellular diploid form, the sporophyte, and a multicellular haploid form, the gametophyte; characteristic of plants and some algae. sepal A modified leaf in angiosperms that helps enclose and protect a flower bud before it opens. stamen The pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower, consisting of an anther and a filament. carpel The ovule-producing reproductive organ of a flower, consisting of the stigma, style, and ovary. pollen grain In seed plants, a structure consisting of the male gametophyte enclosed within a pollen wall. embryo sac The female gametophyte of angiosperms, formed from the growth and division of the megaspore into a multicellular structure that typically has eight haploid nuclei.

pollination The transfer of pollen to the part of a seed plant containing the ovules, a process required for fertilization. endosperm In angiosperms, a nutrient-rich tissue formed by the union of a sperm with two polar nuclei during double fertilization. The endosperm provides nourishment to the developing embryo in angiosperm seeds. ovule A structure that develops within the ovary of a seed plant and contains the female gametophyte. double fertilization A mechanism of fertilization in angiosperms in which two sperm cells unite with two cells in the female gametophyte (embryo sac) to form the zygote and endosperm. fruit A mature ovary of a flower. The fruit protects dormant seeds and often aids in their dispersal. imbibition The physical adsorption of water onto the internal surfaces of structures. vegetative reproduction Cloning of plants by asexual means. hormone In multicellular organisms, one of many types of secreted chemicals that are formed in specialized cells, travel in body fluids, and act on specific target cells in other parts of the body to change their functioning. phototropism Growth of a plant shoot toward or away from light. auxin Indoleacetic acid (IAA), a natural plant hormone that has a variety of effects, including cell elongation, root formation, secondary growth, and fruit growth. cytokinins Any of a class of related plant hormones that retard aging and act in concert with auxin to stimulate cell division, influence the pathway of differentiation, and control apical dominance. gibberellin Any of a class of related plant hormones that stimulate growth in the stem and leaves, trigger the germination of seeds and breaking of bud dormancy, and (with auxin) stimulate fruit development. abscisis acid A plant hormone that slows growth, often antagonizing actions of growth hormones. Two of its many effects are to promote seed dormancy and facilitate drought tolerance.

ethylene The only gaseous plant hormone. Among its many effects are response to mechanical stress, programmed cell death, leaf abscission, and fruit ripening. gravitropism A response of a plant or animal to gravity. thigmotropism A directional growth of a plant in response to touch. photoperiodism A physiological response to photoperiod, the relative lengths of night and day. An example of photoperiodism is flowering. short day plants A plant that flowers (usually in late summer, fall, or winter) only when the light period is shorter than a critical length. long day plants A plant that flowers (usually in the late spring or early summer) only when the light period is longer than a critical length. Phytochromes A type of light receptor in plants that mostly absorbs red light and regulates many plant responses, such as seed germination and shade avoidance.