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Harry Smith (botanist) facts for kids

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Harry Smith

Harry Smith botanist.gif
Born (1935-09-19)19 September 1935
Died 9 February 2015(2015-02-09) (aged 79)
Alma mater
Known for Photomorphogenesis
Spouse(s) Elinor
Children Siân, Caroline, Michael
Scientific career
Fields Botany
Institutions
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.

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.

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