Harry Smith (botanist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harry Smith
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| Born | 19 September 1935 |
| Died | 9 February 2015 (aged 79) |
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| Known for | Photomorphogenesis |
| Spouse(s) | Elinor |
| Children | Siân, Caroline, Michael |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Botany |
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| Academic advisors | Arthur Galston |
Harry Smith (born September 19, 1935 – died February 9, 2015) was a smart British scientist who studied plants. He is famous for finding out how plants "see" light and change their growth because of it. This discovery helps us understand how plants grow in different places, like when they are shaded by other plants.
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Harry Smith: A Plant Detective
Harry Smith was a very important botanist. Botanists are scientists who study plants. Harry Smith spent his life learning about how plants work and grow. He made a big discovery about how plants react to light.
How Plants "See" Light
Plants use special sensors called phytochromes. These sensors help plants know what kind of light they are getting. Imagine plants have tiny eyes that can tell the difference between bright sunlight and shade. Harry Smith found that phytochromes can tell if a plant is being shaded by another plant.
When a plant is shaded, it gets less red light and more far-red light. The phytochromes notice this change. This tells the plant that it needs to grow taller and faster. It does this to reach more sunlight. This amazing ability helps plants compete with their neighbors for light.
A Leader in Science
Besides his discoveries, Harry Smith also helped share new science with the world. He started several important science magazines, called academic journals. These journals publish new research from scientists.
He was the first editor of Molecular Ecology. This journal focuses on how genes affect how living things interact with their environment. He also helped start Molecular Ecology Resources, Global Change Biology, and Plant, Cell & Environment. He worked as an editor for many years, helping other scientists share their work.
Honored for His Work
In 2000, Harry Smith was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a very high honor for scientists in the United Kingdom. It means he was recognized for his amazing contributions to science.
