Word of the Day
Edema (ih-DEE-muh)
· Common clues: Plant swelling; Swelling condition; Plant problem; Accumulation of fluids
· Crossword puzzle frequency: 4 times a year
· Frequency in English language: 84310 / 86800
Edema:
Botany. a swelling in a plant, caused by excessive moisture.
Pathology. a buildup of excess serous fluid in the interstices of cells in tissue spaces or into body cavities.
Edema
on the underside of a Peperomia Leaf [Photo: Courtesy
of Dr.
Curtis E. Swift, Colorado State University]
Edema is a condition that results when the plant takes up more water through the roots than the leaves can give off in the form of water vapor through the stomates. The excess water accumulates in the leaf cells, causing them to enlarge and often burst. As the cells become engorged with water, swellings may appear on the upper or lower surface of the leaf. The afflicted cells often have a dark green bacterial-like water-soaked appearance surrounding these swollen cells.
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