Physiology, Plant Sciences

Similar to animals, plants have physiological processes that enable their survival. These processes include metabolism, growth, seed germination, dormancy, photosynthesis, perspiration, evapotranspiration, reproduction and defense. Plant physiological processes are influenced by climatic and environmental factors and facilitated by different parts of plants. These factors including water, light, temperature, salinity, carbon dioxide, and nutrients affect plants differently. Transpiration is affected by temperature and water; xylem flow is affected by water and nutrients; stomatal control by carbon dioxide, water and temperature and photorespiration by carbon dioxide and sunlight. Plant physiology studies these functions of plants, how they occur and the factors that influence them. Photosynthesis which traps carbon and produces oxygen used by other living organisms occurs through the leaves of plants.