Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Endosperm
A food-containing tissue in seed plants that nourishes the embryo. The food-storage tissue within a seed that commonly surrounds the embryo, absent from the seeds of some species if absorbed during development. Structural component of cereal grains made up mostly of starch and some protein. The albumin of a seed. Tissue within the seed that…
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Cytoplasm
The jellylike substance inside a cell that is made up of water, proteins, and other molecules. The protoplasm of a cell exclusive of that of the nucleus; it consists of a continuous aqueous solution (cytosol) and the organelles and inclusions suspended in it (phaneroplasm), and is the site of most of the chemical activities of…
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Cotyledon
The first leaf, or one of the first pair or whorl of leaves, developed by the embryo of a seed plant. Seed-leaf, the first-formed leaf that is often of a different shape from later leaves. One of the pair of first leaves of a seed ling in Dicotyledons, which is one of the two great…
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Chloroplast
Structure within a green plant cell in which photosynthesis occurs. Small body in plant cells containing chlorophyll, in which starch is formed by photosynthesis. In botany, a plastid containing chlorophyll, developed only in cells exposed to light are the seat of photosynthesis and starch formation.
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Chlorophyll
Any member of the most important class of pigments involved in photosynthesis. The green coloring matter in plants that changes raw materials into food. The green pigment in plant cells that makes photosynthesis possible. Porphyrin derivatives containing magnesium that act to convert light energy in photosynthetic organisms. The green coloring matter of plants. A green,…
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Cellulose
A complex carbohydrate that is the main component of plant cell walls. A polysaccharide with glucose units linked as in cellobiose. It is the chief constituent of plant fibers, cotton being the purest natural form of the substance. As a raw material, it forms the basis for many derivatives used in chromatography, ion exchange materials,…
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Cambium
A thin layer of vascular-plant tissue that continuously generates new cells and is responsible for secondary plant growth.
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Abscission
The natural separation of flowers, fruit, or leaves from plants at a special separation layer. In biology, a zone of tissue formed in order that separation may take place dropping of leaves, flowers, fruits, or other plant parts, usually following the formation of a separation layer.
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Zinc (Zn)
Is an essential mineral for health. It is involved in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism: catalytic activity of enzymes, immune function, protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA synthesis, and cell division. It also supports normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence and is required for proper sense of taste and smell. Dietary sources include…
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Zeaxanthin
A common carotenoid, found naturally as coloured pigments in many fruit vegetables and leafy vegetables. It is important for good vision and is one of the two carotenoids contained within the retina of the eye. Within the central macula, zeaxanthin predominates, whereas in the peripheral retina, lutein predominates. A pigmented antioxidant (a member of the…
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