What a Waste: Exploring Plant Metabolism & Energy Loss

Garden Caregarden TriviaPlant Health CareUncategorized

Jul 10

Introduction

There are many steps in the metabolism of plants. These come mainly from photosynthesis and energy production. All these steps require an endless supply of substances available in the cell for them to work properly. Chemicals like proteins, acids, bases, and other molecular compounds. The total involved substances directly or indirectly in these processes number in the thousands !

The basic simplified photosynthesis process.

As a result of all of this chemical manufacturing - plant cells produce large amounts of waste chemicals. Over time, they evolved to handle these products by further synthesizing them into other useful compounds. Vitamins is a good example. They sometimes also chemically degrade them into a simpler molecule for reutilization elsewhere in another process. All of this happens mainly in the vacuole.

Synthesized Compounds

Example of compounds plants synthesize from their waste chemical are endless. Morphine and Codeine (poppy seeds), quinine (used against Malaria), and salicin (aspirin) are used as medicines. Lignin (used for wood fiber production), and rubber are used in manufacturing. Tetrahydrocannabinol (pot), camphor (solvent), menthol (aromatic oil), and most vitamins have various uses beneficial to people.

Vitamins

The cells of these plants manufactured the vitamin A !

The animal cells just accumulated the vitamin from the plant cells they ate!

Morphine

Cellular storage of Morphine and Codeine happens in poppy seeds.

Aspirin

Aspirin is derived from Salicylic acid.

Salicylic acid is produced in willow tree cells.

Before aspirin was synthesized it was only available from plant extracts!

Camphor

Camphor tree - Cinamomum camphora !

Rubber

Natural rubber comes from the latex of tropical Hevea brasiliensis.

The latex is a substance used to seal a wound.

Getting rid of the last bit

Plants do not have an excretory system like animals (think kidney). As such, the last bits of chemical by products or "waste" builds up. These are substances which are not able to be re used or broken down. The plant has no choice but to store them. The deposited products are first usually made chemically stable or inert.Some species store the waste inside the pith of roots or stems. Bark is also an common place as it is usually shed off over time. In the case of some maples (Acer) they are placed in the tips of their leaves. But of course - as the leaves are disposed of in fall - it makes sense! Stone fruits tend to place them in the gum.

Typical maple leaf tip storing cellular waste.

Resin and gum excretion through bark.

Cross section of watermelon radish showing center where waste products are stored.

Think about that next time you eat a salad!

For expert advice on gardening ask one of our Garden Care Team today !

GREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 51 YEARS !

Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBAAll photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK

Peter Morris

Peter was born and raised on a beautiful green island in the midst of a tropical rainforest. He was introduced into the world of plants at the age of six when his grandmother, an avid Spanish gardener herself, asked him to help her grow seeds for her pepper garden. He was hooked! By the time he was a teen, he had his own rose and orchid collection numbering in the hundreds. Botany was in his blood, and that is what he set out to study.

His passion brought him to NY in the late seventies to further his education. His tenacity allowed him to work full time at Plant Specialists while he completed a MS in Plant Biology. As a manager at the time he felt unsatisfied with his knowledge of business and business processes. Peter felt compelled to learn, so he then pursued and completed an MBA in Quality Management within a few short years.

Peter’s other passion is teaching. His natural ability is quickly consumed by our staff in all subjects in Botany, Horticulture, and Landscaping. He created an immense reference library of more than 3,500 plants providing an invaluable resource for our staff.

Peter’s breadth of knowledge and wisdom allows him to effectively diagnose the needs of plants. Sometimes just by walking into a garden he can create a prescription that fixes even the hardest issue. He is our Staff Botanist, Diagnostician, and all around Mentor. Recently, he has put his immense knowledge and skills into developing a new department that focuses on Plant Healthcare. As he puts it, “Magic through Science”. The PHC staff that surround him have avidly consumed his teachings. Substantially developing their own plant wisdom, many have taken on difficult plant health issues with spectacular results.

Plant Healthcare has been an instant success with customers! The proper treatment of insects and diseases including Organic methods has made pest control a necessity for every plant. Correcting hormonal imbalances caused by planting in containers or refurbishing soils leached of nutrients by irrigation systems are big challenges PHC has become quite comfortable addressing. The scientific approach to the complex demands of keeping plants healthy in our harsh city environment has made many a customer say WOW!

What a Waste: Exploring Plant Metabolism & Energy Loss

Introduction