A carbohydrate substance found in plant cells, particularly in the cell walls of plants, that acts as a sealant during wounding or stress.
From Latin 'callosus' (hard, thick), referencing the tough, protective character of this substance. The botanical term emerged in the 19th century as plant anatomy was studied microscopically.
When a plant gets wounded, it produces callose to quickly plug the damage—it's like the plant world's equivalent of blood clotting, and scientists study it to understand how plants communicate stress across their tissues.
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