The American Society of Plant Physiologists has developed the following Principles of Plant Biology to provide basic plant biology concepts for science education at the K-12 levels and to help students gain a better understanding of plant biology.
Plants contain the same biological processes and biochemistry as microbes and animals.
However, plants are unique in that they have the ability to use energy from sunlight along with other chemical elements for growth. This process of photosynthesis provides the world's supply of food and energy. Plants require certain inorganic elements for growth and play an essential role in the circulation of these nutrients within the biosphere. Reproduction in flowering plants takes place sexually, resulting in the production of a seed. Reproduction can also occur via asexual propagation.