Original text#

The Miracle of the Green World#

Theme: A scientific look at how plants survive and adapt.

If you pick up a book on botany, you will quickly realize that a plant is not just a simple object. It is a complex, living organism that works like a factory. The most famous process in this factory is photosynthesis. During the day, plants use sunlight to create energy. They absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release fresh oxygen for us to breathe. However, many people do not know that plants also respire, taking in oxygen to stay alive, just like animals do.

Inside the plant, there is a busy system of circulation. The roots ensure the uptake of water and key nutrients from the soil. To help process this food, the plant uses a special mechanism involving enzymes. An enzyme acts as a catalyst, making chemical reactions happen faster so the plant can grow strong.

But why do plants look so different? The answer lies in genetics. Over millions of years, plants evolve to fit their surroundings. Sometimes, a random mutation occurs in a seed. This leads to a variation in color or shape. This process creates the incredible diversity of vegetation we see today.

Scientists try to classify these plants into groups. You might study a small herb used in medicine, or a strong perennial tree that survives for centuries. In modern farming, scientists use hybridisation to mix species and reproduce better crops. However, we must be careful. Every plant is part of a delicate ecosystem. To protect our ecology, we should try to be eco-friendly. We must respect the environment that supports all life.

中文#

绿色世界的奇迹#

主题： 用科学的眼光看待植物如何生存与适应。

翻开一本植物学书籍，你很快就会意识到，植物绝非简单的物体。它是一个复杂的、有生命的有机体，运作起来就像一座工厂。这座工厂里最著名的工序就是光合作用。白天，植物利用阳光制造能量。它们从空气中吸收二氧化碳，并释放出清新的氧气供我们呼吸。然而，许多人不知道植物也会呼吸，就像动物一样，它们也需要摄入氧气来维持生命。

在植物内部，有一个繁忙的循环系统。根部确保从土壤中摄取水分和关键的营养物质。为了处理这些食物，植物使用一种涉及酶的特殊机制。酶充当催化剂，加速化学反应，从而使植物长得壮实。

但为什么植物看起来千差万别呢？答案在于遗传学。经过数百万年的演变，植物不断进化以适应其环境（surroundings）。有时，种子中会发生随机突变。这导致了颜色或形状的变异。正是这一过程创造了我们今天所见的植被惊人的多样性。

科学家试图将这些植物分类。你可能会研究一种用于入药的小草本植物，或者一棵存活几个世纪的强壮的多年生植物。在现代农业中，科学家利用杂交技术混合物种并繁殖出更好的作物。然而，我们必须小心。每一种植物都是脆弱的生态系统的一部分。为了保护我们的生态，我们应该努力做到对生态环境友好。我们必须尊重维持所有生命的环境（environment）。