A
B
basipetal toward the base
C
campanulate bell-shaped
D
deductive reasoning from facts to conclusion
E
ecophysiological related to how an organism’s physiology affects its function in an ecosystem
F
facultative capable of but not obligated to
G
gametangia structure where gametes are formed
H
hallucinogenic capable of inducing hallucinations
I
impede to slow down or inhibit
J
juxtaposition contrast brought on by close positioning lacerate cut
K
Lamarckian inheritance the hypothesis that acquired characteristics can be inherited
L
land-grant university a state university given land by the federal government on the condition that it offer courses in agriculture
M
macromolecule a large molecule such as a protein, fat, nucleic acid, or carbohydrate
N
NADP+ oxidized form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate
O
obligate required, without another option
P
paleobotany the study of ancient plants and plant communities
R
redox oxidation and reduction
S
salinization increase in salt content
T
tannins compounds produced by plants that usually serve protective functions, often colored and used for “tanning” and dyeing
ultrastructural the level of structure visible with the electron microscope; very small details of structure
x
xeromorphic a form adapted for dry conditions
abiotic nonliving
abrade to wear away through contact
abrasive tending to wear away through contact
abscission dropping off or separating
accession a plant that has been acquired and catalogued
achene a small, dry, thin-walled type of fruit
actinomycetes common name for a group of Gram-positive
bacteria that
are filamentous and superficially similar to fungi
addictive capable of causing addiction or chemical
dependence
adhesion sticking to the surface of
adventitious arising from secondary buds, or arising in
an unusual position
aeration the introduction of air
albuminous gelatinous, or composed of the protein albumin
alkali chemically basic; the opposite of acidic
alkalinization increase in basicity or reduction in
acidity
alkaloid bitter secondary plant compound, often used for
defense
allele one form of a gene
allelopathy harmful action by one plant against another
allopolyploidy a polyploid organism formed by
hybridization between twodifferent species or varieties (allo= other)
alluvial plain broad
area formed by
the deposit of
river sediment at its
outlet
amended soils soils to which fertilizers or other growth
aids have been added
amendment additive
anaerobic without oxygen
analgesic pain-relieving
analog a structure or thing, especially a chemical,
similar to something else
angiosperm a flowering plant
anomalous unusual or out of place
anoxic without oxygen
antenna system a
collection of protein
complexes that harvests
lightenergy and converts it to excitation energy that can
migrate to a reactioncenter; the light
is absorbed by
pigment molecules (e.g.,
chlorophyll, carotenoids, phycobilin) that are attached to the protein
anthropogenic human-made; related to or produced by the
influence of humans on nature
antibodies proteins produced to fight infection
antioxidant a substance that prevents damage from oxygen
or other reactive substances
apical meristem region of dividing cells at the tips of
growing plants
apical at the tip
apomixis asexual reproduction that may mimic sexual
reproduction
appendages parts that are attached to a central stalk or
axis
arable able to be cultivated for crops
Arcto-Tertiary geoflora the fossil flora discovered in
Arctic areas dating back to the Tertiary period; this group contains
magnolias (Magnolia), tulip trees (Liriodendron), maples (Acer), beech (Fagus),
black gum (Nyssa), sweet gum
(Liquidambar), dawn redwood
(Metasequoia), cypress (Taxodium),
and many other species
artifacts pots, tools, or other cultural objects
assayer one who performs chemical tests to determine the
composition of a substance
ATP adenosine triphosphate, a small, water-soluble
molecule that acts as an energy currency in cells
attractant something that attracts
autotroph “self-feeder”; any organism that uses sunlight
or chemical energy
auxin a plant hormone
avian related to birds
axil the angle or crotch where a leaf stalk meets the
stem
axillary bud the bud that forms in the angle between the
stem and leaf
B
basipetal toward the base
belladonna the
source of atropine;
means “beautiful woman,”
and is so named because dilated pupils were thought
to enhance a woman’s beauty
binomial two-part
biodirected assays tests that examine some biological
property
biodiversity degree of variety of life
biogeography the study of the reasons for the geographic
distribution of organisms
biomass the total dry weight of an organism or group of
organisms
biosphere the region of the Earth in which life exists
biosynthesis creation through biological pathways
biota the sum total of living organisms in a region of a
given size
biotic involving or related to life
bryologist someone
who studies bryophytes,
a division of
nonflowering plants
C
campanulate bell-shaped
capitulum the head of a compound flower, such as a
dandelion
cardiotonic changing the contraction properties of the
heart
carotenoid a yellow-colored molecule made by plants
carpels the
innermost whorl of
flower parts, including
the egg-bearing ovules, plus the
style and stigma attached to the ovules
catastrophism the
geologic doctrine that
sudden, violent changes
mark the geologic history of Earth
cation positively charged particle
catkin a flowering structure used for wind pollination
centrifugation spinning at high speed in a centrifuge to
separate components
chitin a
cellulose-like molecule found
in the cell
wall of many
fungi and arthropods
chloroplast the photosynthetic organelle of plants and
algae
circadian “about a day”; related to a day
circumscription the definition of the boundaries
surrounding an object or an idea
cisterna a fluid-containing sac or space
clade a group of organisms composed of an ancestor and
all of its descendants
cladode a modified stem having the appearance and function
of a leaf
coalescing roots roots that grow together
coleoptile the growing tip of a monocot seedling
collenchyma one of three cell types in ground tissue
colonize to inhabit a new area
colony a group of organisms inhabiting a particular area,
especially organisms descended from a common ancestor
commensalism a
symbiotic association in
which one organism
benefits while the other is unaffected
commodities goods that are traded, especially
agricultural goods
community a group of organisms of different species
living in a region
compaction compacting of soil, leading to the loss of air
spaces
complex hybrid hybridized plant having more than two
parent plants
compound a substance formed from two or more elements
concentration gradient a difference in concentration
between two areas
continental drift the movement of continental land masses
due to plate tectonics
contractile capable of contracting
convective uplift the movement of air upwards due to
heating from the sun
coppice growth the growth of many stems from a single
trunk or root, following the removal of the main stem
cortical relating to the cortex of a plant
covalent held together by electron-sharing bonds
crassulacean acid metabolism water-conserving strategy
used by several types of plants
crop rotation alternating crops from year to year in a
particular field
cultivation growth of plants, or turning the soil for
growth of crop plants
crystallography the use of x-rays on crystals to
determine molecular structure
cuticle the waxy outer coating of a leaf or other
structure, which provides protection against predators, infection, and water loss
cyanide heap leach gold mining a technique
used to extract
gold by treating ore with cyanide
cyanobacteria photosynthetic prokaryotic
bacteria formerly known
as blue-green algae
cyanogenic giving rise to cyanide
cytologist a scientist who studies cells
cytology the microscopic study of cells and cell
structure
cytosol the fluid portion of a cell
cytostatic inhibiting cell division
D
deductive reasoning from facts to conclusion
dendrochronologist a scientist who uses tree rings to
determine climate or other features of the past
dermatophytes fungi that cause skin diseases
desertification degradation of dry lands, reducing
productivity
desiccation drying out
detritus material from decaying organisms
diatoms hard-shelled, single-celled marine organisms; a
type of algae
dictyosome any one of the membranous or vesicular
structures making up the Golgi apparatus
dioicous having male and female sexual parts on different
plants
diploid having two sets of chromosomes, versus having one
set (haploid)
dissipate to reduce by spreading out or scattering
distal further away from
diurnal daily, or by day
domestication the
taming of an
organism to live
with and be
of use to humans
dormant inactive, not growing
drupe a fruit with a leathery or stone-like seed
dynamical system theory the mathematical
theory of change
within a system
E
ecophysiological related to how an organism’s physiology affects its function in an ecosystem
ecosystem an ecological community and its environment
elater an elongated, thickened filament
empirical formula the simplest whole number ratio of
atoms in a compound
emulsifier a chemical used to suspend oils in water
encroachment moving in on
endemic belonging or native to a particular area or
country
endophyte a fungus that lives within a plant
endoplasmic reticulum the membrane network inside a cell
endosperm the nutritive tissue in a seed, formed by the
fertilization of a
diploid egg tissue by a sperm from pollen
endosporic the formation of a gametophyte inside the
spore wall
endosymbiosis a symbiosis in which one organism lives
inside the other
Enlightenment eighteenth-century philosophical
movement stressing rational
critique of previously accepted doctrines in all areas of thought
entomologist a scientist who studies insects
enzyme a protein that controls a reaction in a cell
ephemeral short-lived
epicuticle the waxy outer covering of a plant, produced
by the epidermis
epidermis outer layer of cells
epiphytes plants that grow on other plants
escarpment a steep slope or cliff resulting from erosion
ethnobotanist a scientist who interacts with native
peoples to learn more about the plants of a region
ethnobotany the study of traditional uses of plants
within a culture
euglossine bees a
group of bees
that pollinate orchids
and other rainforest plants
eukaryotic a
cell with a
nucleus (eu means “true”
and karyo means “nucleus”); includes protists, plants, animals, and
fungi
extrafloral outside the flower
exudation the release of a liquid substance; oozing
F
facultative capable of but not obligated to
fertigation application of small amounts of fertilizer
while irrigating
filament a threadlike extension
filamentous thin and long
flagella threadlike extension of the cell membrane, used
for movement
flavonoids aromatic compounds occurring in both seeds and
young roots and involved in host-pathogen and host-symbiont
interactions
florigen a substance that promotes flowering
floristic related to plants
follicle sac or pouch
forbs broad-leaved, herbaceous plants
free radicals toxic molecular fragments
frugivous feeding on fruits
G
gametangia structure where gametes are formed
gametophyte the haploid organism in the life cycle
gel electrophoresis a technique for separating molecules
based on size and electrical charge
genera plural of genus; a taxonomic level above species
genome the genetic material of an organism
genotype the genetic makeup of an organism
germplasm hereditary material, especially stored seed or
other embryonic forms
globose rounded and swollen; globe-shaped
gradient difference in concentration between two places
green manure crop planted to be plowed under to nourish
the soil, especially with nitrogen
gymnosperm a major group of plants that includes the
conifers
gynoecium the female reproductive organs as a whole
gypsipherous containing the mineral gypsum
H
hallucinogenic capable of inducing hallucinations
haploid having one set of chromosomes, versus having two
(diploid)
haustorial related to a haustorium, or food-absorbing
organ
hemiterpene a half terpene
herbivore an organism that feeds on plant parts
heterocyclic a chemical ring structure composed of more
than one type of atom, for instance carbon and nitrogen
heterosporous bearing spores of two types, large
megaspores and small microspores
heterostylous having styles (female flower parts) of
different lengths, ton aid cross-pollination
heterotroph an
organism that derives
its energy from
consuming other organisms or
their body parts
holistic including all the parts or factors that relate
to an object or idea
homeotic relating
to or being
a gene that
produces a shift
in structural development
homology a similarity in structure between anatomical
parts due to descent from a common ancestor
humus the organic material in soil formed from decaying
organisms
hybrid a mix of two varieties or species
hybridization formation
of a new
individual from parents
of different species or varieties
hydrological cycle the movement of water through the
biosphere
hydrophobic water repellent
hydroponic growing without soil, in a watery medium
hydroxyl the chemical group -OH
hyphae the threadlike body mass of a fungus illicit
illegal
I
impede to slow down or inhibit
inert incapable of reaction
inflorescence a
group of flowers
or arrangement of
flowers in a
flower head
infrastructure roads, phone lines, and other utilities
that allow commerce
insectivorous insect-eating
intercalary inserted; between
interspecific hybridization hybridization between two
species
intertidal between the lines of high and low tide
intracellular bacteria bacteria that live inside other
cells
intraspecific taxa levels of classification below the
species level
intuiting using intuition
ionic present as a charged particle
ions charged particles
irreversible unable to be reversed
J
juxtaposition contrast brought on by close positioning lacerate cut
K
Lamarckian inheritance the hypothesis that acquired characteristics can be inherited
lamellae thin layers or plate-like structure
L
land-grant university a state university given land by the federal government on the condition that it offer courses in agriculture
landrace a variety of a cultivated plant, occurring in a
particular region
lateral to the side of
legume beans and other members of the Fabaceae family
lignified composed of lignin, a tough and resistant plant
compound
lineage ancestry; the line of evolutionary descent of an
organism
loci (singular: locus) sites or locations
lodging falling over while still growing
lytic breaking apart by the action of enzymes
M
macromolecule a large molecule such as a protein, fat, nucleic acid, or carbohydrate
macroscopic large, visible
medulla middle part
megaphylls large
leaves having many
veins or a
highly branched vein system
meiosis the division of chromosomes in which the
resulting cells have half the original number of chromosomes
meristem the growing tip of a plant
mesic of medium wetness
microfibrils microscopic fibers in a cell
micron one millionth of a meter; also called micrometer
microphylls small leaves having a single unbranched vein
mitigation reduction of amount or effect
mitochondria cell organelles that produce adenosine
triphosphate (ATP) to power cell reactions
mitosis the part of the cell cycle in which chromosomes
are separated to give each daughter cell an identical chromosome set
molecular systematics the analysis of DNA and other
molecules to determine evolutionary relationships
monoculture a large stand of a single crop species
monomer a single unit of a multi-unit structure
monophyletic a group that includes an ancestral species
and all its descendants
montane growing in a mountainous region
morphology shape and form
motile capable of movement
mucilaginous sticky or gummy
murein a peptidoglycan, a molecule made up of sugar
derivatives and amino
acids
mutualism a symbiosis between two organisms in which both
benefit
mycelium the vegetative body of a fungus, made up of
threadlike hyphae
N
NADP+ oxidized form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate
NADPH reduced
form of nicotinamide
adenine dinucleotide phosphate,
a
small, water-soluble molecule that acts as a hydrogen
carrier in biochemical reactions
nanometer one billionth of a meter
nectaries organs in flowers that secrete nectar
negative feedback a process by which an increase in some
variable causes
a response that leads to a decrease in that variable
neuromuscular junction the place on the muscle surface
where the muscle
receives stimulus from the nervous system
neurotransmitter a chemical that passes messages between
nerve cells
node branching site on a stem
nomenclature a naming system
nonmotile not moving
nonpolar not directed along the root-shoot axis, or not
marked by separation of charge (unlike water and other polar substances)
nonsecretory not involved in secretion, or the release of
materials
Northern Blot a
technique for separating
RNA molecules by
electrophoresis and then identifying a target fragment with a DNA probe
nucleolar related to the nucleolus, a distinct region in
the nucleus
nurseryman a worker in a plant nursery
O
obligate required, without another option
obligate parasite a parasite without a free-living stage
in the life cycle
odorant a molecule with an odor
organelle a membrane-bound structure within a cell
osmosis the movement of water across a membrane to a
region of high solute concentration
oviposition egg-laying
oxidation reaction with oxygen, or loss of electrons in a
chemical reaction
P
paleobotany the study of ancient plants and plant communities
pangenesis the belief that acquired traits can be
inherited by bodily influences on the reproductive cells
panicle a type of inflorescence (flower cluster) that is
loosely packed and
irregularly branched
paraphyletic group a taxonomic group that excludes one or
more descendants of a common ancestor
parenchyma one of three types of cells found in ground
tissue
pastoralists farming people who keep animal flocks
pathogen disease-causing organism
pedicel a plant stalk that supports a fruiting or
spore-bearing organ
pentamerous composed of five parts
percolate to move through, as a fluid through a solid
peribacteroid a membrane surrounding individual or groups
of rhizobia
bacteria within the root cells of their host; in such
situations the bacteria
have
frequently undergone some
change in surface
chemistry and are
referred to as bacteroids
pericycle cell layer between the conducting tissue and
the endodermis
permeability the property of being permeable, or open to
the passage of
other substances
petiole the stalk of a leaf, by which it attaches to the
stem
pH a measure of acidity or alkalinity; the pH scale
ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Low pH numbers indicate high acidity
while high numbers indicate alkalinity
pharmacognosy the study of drugs derived from natural
products
pharmacopeia a group of medicines
phenology seasonal or other time-related aspects of an
organism’s life
pheromone a chemical released by one organism to
influence the behavior of another
photooxidize to react with oxygen under the influence of
sunlight
photoperiod the period in which an organism is exposed to
light or is sensitive to light exposure, causing flowering or other
light-sensitive changes
photoprotectant molecules that protect against damage by
sunlight
phylogenetic related
to phylogeny, the
evolutionary development of a species
physiology the biochemical processes carried out by an
organism
phytogeographer a scientist who studies the distribution
of plants
pigments colored molecules
pistil the female reproductive organ of a flower
plasmodesmata cell-cell junctions that allow passage of small
molecules between cells
polyculture mixed species
polyhedral in the form of a polyhedron, a solid whose
sides are polygons
polymer a large molecule made from many similar parts
polynomial “many-named”; a name composed of several
individual parts
polyploidy having multiple sets of chromosomes
polysaccharide a linked chain of many sugar molecules
population a group of organisms of a single species that
exist in the same
region and interbreed
porosity openness
positive feedback a process by which an increase in some
variable causes a response that leads to a further increase in that variable
precipitation rainfall; or the process of a substance
separating from a solution
pre-Columbian before Columbus
precursor a substance from which another is made
predation the act of preying upon; consuming for food
primordial primitive or early
progenitor parent or ancestor
prokaryotes single-celled organisms without nuclei,
including Eubacteria and Archaea
propagate to create more of through sexual or asexual
reproduction
protist a usually single-celled organism with a cell
nucleus, of the kingdom Protista
protoplasmic related to the protoplasm, cell material
within the cell wall
protoplast the portion of a cell within the cell wall
psychoactive causing an effect on the brain
pubescence covered with short hairs
pyruvic acid a three-carbon compound that forms an
important intermediate in many cellular processes
quadruple hybrid hybridized plant with four parents
quantitative numerical, especially as derived from
measurement quid a wad for chewing
quinone chemical compound found in plants, often used in
making dyes
radii distance across, especially across a circle
(singular = radius)
radioisotopes radioactive forms of an element
rambling habit growing without obvious intended direction
reaction center a protein complex that uses light energy
to create a stable
charge separation by transferring a single electron
energetically uphill from
a donor molecule to an acceptor molecule, both of which
are located in the reaction center
R
redox oxidation and reduction
regurgitant material brought up from the stomach
Renaissance a period of artistic and intellectual
expansion in Europe from
the fourteenth to the sixteenth century
S
salinization increase in salt content
samara a winged seed
saprophytes plants that feed on decaying parts of other
plants
saturated containing as much dissolved substance as
possible
sclerenchyma one of three cell types in ground tissue
sedimentation deposit of mud, sand, shell, or other
material
semidwarf a
variety that is
intermediate in size
between dwarf and
fullsize varieties
senescent aging or dying
sepals the outermost whorl of flower parts; usually green
and leaf-like, theyprotect the inner parts of the flower
sequester to remove from circulation; lock up
serology the study of serum, the liquid, noncellular
portion of blood
seta a stiff hair or bristle
silage livestock food produced by fermentation in a silo
siliceous composed of silica, a mineral
silicified composed of silicate minerals
soil horizon distinct layers of soil
solute a substance dissolved in a solution
Southern blot a
technique for separating
DNA fragments by
electrophoresis and then identifying a target fragment with a DNA probe
spasticity abnormal muscle activity caused by damage to
the nerve pathways controlling movement
speciation the creation of new species
specimen an object or organism under consideration
speciose marked by many species
sporophyte the diploid, spore-producing individual in the
plant life cycle
sporulate to produce or release spores
sterile not capable or involved in reproduction, or
unable to support life
sterols chemicals related to steroid hormones
stolons underground stems that may sprout and form new
individuals
stomata openings between guard cells on the underside of
leaves that allow gas exchange
stratification layering, or separation in space
stratigraphic geology the study of rock layers
stratigraphy the analysis of strata (layered rock)
strobili cone-like reproductive structures
subalpine a region less cold or elevated than alpine
(mountaintop)
substrate the
physical structure to which an organism attaches, or a molecule acted on by
enzymes
succession the pattern of changes in plant species that
occurs after a soil disturbance
succulent fleshy, moist
suckers naturally occuring adventitious shoots
suffrutescent a shrub-like plant with a woody base
sulfate a negatively charged particle combining sulfur
and oxygen
surfaced smoothed for examination
susceptibility vulnerability
suture line of attachment
swidden agriculture the practice of farming an area until
the soil has been
depleted and then moving on
symbiont one member of a symbiotic association
symbiosis a
relationship between organisms
of two different
species in which at least one
benefits
systematists scientists who study systematics, the
classification of species
to reflect evolutionary relationships
systemic spread throughout the plant
T
tannins compounds produced by plants that usually serve protective functions, often colored and used for “tanning” and dyeing
taxa a type of organism, or a level of classification of
organisms
tensile forces forces
causing tension, or
pulling apart; the
opposite of compression
tepal an undifferentiated sepal or petal
Tertiary period geologic period from sixty-five to five
million years ago
tetraploid having four sets of chromosomes; a form of
polyploidy
thallus simple, flattened, nonleafy plant body
tilth soil structure characterized by open air spaces and
high water storage
capacity due to high levels of organic matter
tonoplast the membrane of the vacuole
topographic related to the shape or contours of the land
totipotent capable of forming entire plants from
individual cells
toxin a poisonous substance
tracheid a type of xylem cell that conducts water from
root to shoot
transcription factors proteins that bind to a specific
DNA sequence called
the promoter to regulate the expression of a nearby gene
translocate to move materials from one region to another
translucent allowing the passage of light
transmutation to change from one form to another
transpiration movement of water from soil to atmosphere
through a plant
transverse across, or side to side
tribe a group of closely related genera
trophic related to feeding
turgor pressure the outward pressure exerted on the cell
wall by the fluid within
twining twisting around while climbing
ultrastructural the level of structure visible with the electron microscope; very small details of structure
uniformitarian the geologic doctrine that formative
processes on earth have
proceeded at the same rate through time since earth’s
beginning
uplift raising
up of rock
layers, a geologic
process caused by
plate tectonics
urbanization increase in size or number of cities
vacuole the large fluid-filled sac that occupies most of
the space in a plant
cell. Used for storage and maintaining internal pressure
vascular plants plants with specialized transport cells;
plants other than bryophytes
vascular related to the transport of nutrients, or
related to blood vessels
vector a carrier, usually one that is not affected by the
thing carried
vernal related to the spring season
vesicle a membrane-bound cell structure with specialized
contents
viable able to live or to function
volatile easily released as a gas
volatilization the release of a gaseous substance
water table the level of water in the soil whorl a ring
wort an old English
term for plant;
also an intermediate
liquid in beer making
xenobiotics biomolecules from outside the plant,
especially molecules that
are potentially harmful
x
xeromorphic a form adapted for dry conditions
xerophytes plants adapted for growth in dry areas
zonation division into zones having different properties
zoospore a swimming spore
zygote the egg immediately after it has been fertilized;
the one-cell stage of a new individual
