Growth

Growth [ Biology - Physiology - Botany ]

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

In biology the growth of an individual organism (or of an organ) is the progress from a lower, simpler, or embryonic to a higher or more complex form that conduct to a full development or maturity. Growth bring to an increase, in size, number, value, strength, or intensity.

Plant growth

Plant growth is a phenomenon different from animal growth. Animals exhibit a growth pattern called determinate growth. (Most animals have a pre-programmed body form ( e.g. four legs, two eyes, one nose and so on) and quit growing after a certain age) Plants, however, exhibit a growth pattern called indeterminate growth

The plant retains areas where rapidly dividing, undifferentiated cells remain all through the life of the plant. These areas are called meristems
- Meristematic tissue continues to rapidly divide producing undifferentiated cells which may eventually differentiate to form all the tissue and cell types.
Plants do not have a pre-programmed body plan
- There are constants like leaf shape and branching patters (opposite, alternate, etc.) but you can never predict where a new branch will come about on a tree...
Plants continue to grow throughout their life.

See also: Growing season

Growth [ Horticulture ]
Synonym: Emergence, Germination.


	The gradual beginning or coming forth "the growth of seedling"

Growth [ Pathology ]
Synonym: Tumor


	*An abnormal proliferation of tissue (as in a tumor)*

Growth [ Biology - Ecology ]
Synonym: Proliferation


	*The increased population or colony of a culture of cells or microorganisms.*

Growth [ Biology - Ecology ]
Synonym: Increase, Increment.


	A process of becoming more numerous or more important; "the growth of population"

To grow [ Biology - Botany - Horticulture]

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Holdfast roots [ Botany ]
Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

Some species of climbing plants develop holdfast roots which help to support the vines on trees, walls, and rocks. By forcing their way into minute pores and crevices, they hold the plant firmly in place.

Climbing plants, like the poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata), and trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans), develop holdfast roots which help to support the vines on trees, walls, and rocks. By forcing their way into minute pores and crevices, they hold the plant firmly in place. Usually the Holdfast roots die at the end of the first season, but in some species they are perennial. In the tropics some of the large climbing plants have hold-fast roots by which they attach themselves, and long, cord-like roots that extend downward through the air and may lengthen and branch for several years until they strike the soil and become absorbent roots.

Major references and further lectures:
1) E. N. Transeau “General Botany” Discovery Publishing House, 1994