Plants are among the most interesting organisms as the are able to undertake photosynthesis and for the base of many food chains. When you consider that it is this process which allows for plant life to exist it is a wonder that life can change form a simple process into something that is more complex. This also means that plants continue to grow throughout their lives through a process called indeterminate growth.
Unlike animals most plants stay in one spot. Using roots and leaves, it then obtains the nutrients that are reuired to sustain life. The two major systems of a plant are the root system and the shoot system. The rtoot system allows the plant to take in water and nutrients from the soil, while the shoot system harvests light and carbon dioxide.
Diagram Displaying “Phenotypic Plasticity”
Image via Wikipedia
Depending on the conditions presented in the environment, a plant may exhibit “phenotypic plasticity” which is when a plants phenotypes adapt to the environmental conditions. As plants continue to grow during their lifetime this allows plant to more easily adapt to the changes in the environment around them.
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