When environmental temperature around a plant rises, what happens to plant growth?

• A. Growth decreases
• B. Growth remains the same
• C. Growth is terminated
• D. Growth increases

Answer: (D)

Temperature affects how fast a plant grows by changing its metabolic rate. When environmental temperature rises within a plant’s favorable range, enzymes work more efficiently, photosynthesis can proceed more rapidly, and cells divide more quickly, all contributing to increased growth. This boost continues up to the optimum temperature, after which heat can stress the plant and slow growth or cause damage. So, in the typical range, growth tends to increase as temperature rises.