Basic metabolic processesLike animals,
plants must be able to perform various life processes. They need to repair, replace, and
create new tissues; maintain proper internal environments; regulate seasonal activities;
transport water and food within the body; and react to external stimuli such as light, to
name just a few. Processes such as these require energy—so plants must also have the
ability to acquire the energy they need.
These metabolic processes begin on the cellular level, and
generally involve complex chemical reactions. A single process may involve
hundreds—or even thousands—of chemical reactions occurring simultaneously or in
a particular sequence. And many of these processes are still not well understood!
Researchers in plant physiology and biochemistry continue to experiment and uncover new
information, leading us all to a greater understanding of the inner workings of plants.
Obviously, plants are different from people, but there are
many similar life processes, and the analogy can help simplify and clarify some of the
scientific principles at work. So let’s "become" plants for a day!
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