lignification
Turning into wood
Lignification is the process by which plant cell walls become woody through the deposit of lignin—the tough organic compound that gives wood its rigidity.
The term appears in botany and materials science: Lignification of the stem occurs as the plant matures.
The resulting tissue provides structural support and resistance to decay.
Plant water conduit
- cellulosePlant wall polysaccharide
- cell wallRigid cellular outer layer
- pectinFruit-based setting substance
- vascularOf blood vessels
fibers · biopolymer · phloem · cambium · meristem · polysaccharides · plant cells · parenchyma
Tree's central wood
- sapwoodTree's water-conducting layer
- growth ringsAnnual layers in wood
- timberWood for construction
- grainCereal plant's harvest unit
hardwood · softwood · trees · bark · annual rings · tree trunk
Becoming less pliable
- indurationAbnormal tissue firmness
- rigidityState of being unbending
- woodinessTimber-like quality
- tougheningMaking more resistant
strengthening · densification · solidification · fortification · reinforcement · resistance · durability · structural support
Reaction-speeding proteins
- peroxidasePeroxide-degrading enzyme
- polymerizationMonomers bonding into chains
- biosynthesisLiving production of molecules
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
xylem
Plant water conduit
- cellulosePlant wall polysaccharide
- cell wallRigid cellular outer layer
- pectinFruit-based setting substance
vascular · fibers · biopolymer · phloem · cambium · meristem · polysaccharides · plant cells · parenchyma · lumen
heartwood
Tree's central wood
- sapwoodTree's water-conducting layer
- growth ringsAnnual layers in wood
- timberWood for construction
grain · hardwood · softwood · trees · bark · annual rings · tree trunk
stiffening
Becoming less pliable
- indurationAbnormal tissue firmness
- rigidityState of being unbending
- woodinessTimber-like quality
toughening · strengthening · densification · solidification · fortification · reinforcement · resistance · durability · structural support · impermeability
enzymes
Reaction-speeding proteins
- peroxidasePeroxide-degrading enzyme
- polymerizationMonomers bonding into chains
- biosynthesisLiving production of molecules
lignificationsoftening
Becoming less firm
delignification · etiolation · tenderness · pliability · flexibility
lignificationdelignification
Removing woody binding substance
decay · decomposition · softening · rotting · biodegradation