Overview and Objectives

This lesson will compare the growth of defoliated and non-defoliated perennial plants. The link between plant structure, growth, and response to defoliation is the emphasis of the lesson.  

• Define the terms source, sink, photosynthesis, carbohydrate, apical meristem, lateral meristem, and residual leaf area
• Compare the differences in morphology (plant structure) and physiology (plant function) between a non-defoliated and defoliated plant
• Predict how a plant will respond to defoliation based on morphology, physiology, and the environment.

                                                                   Copyright 2005