Biology of Plants
plant cells build molecular machines for photosynthesis, infrastructure and communication, and protection
Life on the Earth relies on plants: they build sugar from air and water using photosynthesis, and then most living things survive, either directly or indirectly, by consuming them. Plants face unique challenges, since they are usually rooted in place, but still need to find light and nutrients and protect themselves from dangers. Atomic structures have revealed the fine details of the photosynthetic machinery, as well as the many unusual molecules made by plant cells for regulation and protection.