Plant science is the study of plants and their growth, development, structure, function, physiology, ecology and evolution. Plants are an essential part of life on Earth and play a vital role in our food supply, oxygen production and carbon sequestration. They provide us with medicines, fuel, building materials and many other products.
Plants are unique among living organisms in their ability to convert sunlight into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis. This energy drives the plant’s metabolism and allows it to grow, develop and reproduce. Plants also have the ability to store large quantities of energy in the form of carbohydrates such as sugars and starches.
The study of plant science covers a wide range of topics including plant anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, ecology and evolution. Plant scientists work in a variety of fields including agriculture, horticulture, forestry, botany and medicine. They use their knowledge to improve crop yields, develop new varieties of plants resistant to disease or pests and create more efficient methods of producing biofuels from plants.