Growth, control, and hormones
A collection of Catalyst articles about growth, control, and hormones.
Plant Responses
This Catalyst article explains how scientists came to understand plants' sensitivity to external stimuli and their ability to move. Mimosa pudica is a good example of a plant which folds its leaves in response to touch or heat.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2011, Volume 22, Issue 1.
Adventures in the Amazon
In this Catalyst article, Laura Plant describes the time she spent in the Amazon rainforest in northern Peru on a project researching the impacts of forestry on the plants and animals that live there.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2013, Volume 23, Issue 3.
Birth of an Orchid
This Catalyst article looks at orchids, their breeding, and why they have great commercial value.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2013, Volume 24, Issue 1.
Orchids and Insects
This Catalyst article explains how orchids have evolved over millions of years to have a close relationship with the insects which pollinate them. Like many plants, orchids rely on insects to carry pollen from one flower to another in order to reproduce.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2013, Volume 24, Issue 1.
Conker Tree Science
This article discusses how simple observations of pests on horse chestnut trees can contribute to a 'citizen science' project.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2015, Volume 25, Issue 4.
From Prized Beauty to Outlaw
This Catalyst article investigates non-native plants which can wreak havoc in the environment and may prove very difficult to control.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2015, Volume 26, Issue 2.
Can we save our horse chestnut trees?
This article investigates the reasons behind extensive early browning of the horse chestnut trees.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2016, Volume 26, Issue 3.
Coming to a Beach Near You!
A Catalyst article examining what causes breaking waves to leave foam on the beaches. The article explores the human impact on the environment and the changes in the growth of algae in the seas.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2005, Volume 16, Issue 1.
Phytoplasmas - Friend or Foe?
A Catalyst article about phytoplasmas which are micro-organisms that affect crop plants modifying their growth. The article looks at the damage that they can inflict on crops which in turn can cause famine. Botanists are seeking to counter the effects of phytoplasma disease and the article looks at laboratory research so far.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2011, Volume 21, Issue 3.
From small seeds to big yields
This Catalyst article looks at the process of domestication which led to a natural increase in traits such as grain size (increasing calories available), grain accessibility, an increased number of grains and the loss of a hard protective coating.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2016, Volume 26, Issue 3.
Starting a Greener Revolution
A Catalyst article looking at strategies for ensuring that there is a plentiful food supply in the future and how this can be sustained.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2010, Volume 20, Issue 4.
Intensive Crop Production Systems
A Catalyst article explaining how much of the food that humans consume comes from systems in which large numbers of plants or animals are grown under closely controlled conditions, designed to maximise production.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2005, Volume 16, Issue 2.
Express Delivery
This article from Catalyst investigates how cells transfer packets of control hormones from one cell to another using subcellular packages called exosomes.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2014, Volume 25, Issue 2.
Diabetes in Young People *suitable for home teaching*
A Catalyst article about juvenile diabetes, a genetic disease also known as Type 1 diabetes, which affects over 200,000 people in the UK.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2008, Volume 18, Issue 3.
Gardens in the Sky
This Catalyst article investigates how plants can be grown in orbiting spacecraft and how this may be useful in future manned space missions.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2014, Volume 25, Issue 3.