Botany Basics

Botany

Definition and Scope

• Botany is the scientific study of plants, including their structure, growth, evolution, classification, and distribution.
• It encompasses various aspects of plant biology, including morphology, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and ecology.

Branches of Botany

• Plant morphology: study of the external form and structure of plants.
• Plant anatomy: study of the internal structure of plants.
• Plant physiology: study of the functions and processes that occur within plants.
• Plant ecology: study of the interactions between plants and their environment.
• Plant systematics: study of the classification, identification, and naming of plants.
• Ethnobotany: study of the use of plants by humans, including their cultural and traditional significance.

Plant Cell Structure

• Cell wall: rigid outer layer composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin.
• Plasma membrane: semi-permeable membrane that regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell.
• Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside the cell where metabolic reactions occur.
• Chloroplasts: organelles responsible for photosynthesis.
• Vacuoles: organelles involved in storage, recycling, and waste management.

Plant Growth and Development

• Seed germination: process by which a seed begins to grow into a new plant.
• Meristems: regions of undifferentiated cells that give rise to new tissues and organs.
• Hormones: chemical messengers that regulate plant growth and development.
• Tropisms: growth responses to environmental stimuli, such as light and gravity.

Plant Reproduction

• Flowers: reproductive structures that produce gametes (sperm and egg cells).
• Pollination: transfer of pollen from one plant to another, allowing for fertilization.
• Fruits and seeds: structures that develop from fertilized flowers, containing the next generation of plants.

Plant Responses to Environment

• Photosynthesis: process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.
• Transpiration: process by which plants release water vapor into the air.
• Stomata: small openings on the surface of leaves that regulate gas exchange.
• Plant defense mechanisms: strategies used by plants to defend against pathogens, herbivores, and environmental stressors.

Botany

Definition and Scope

• Botany is the scientific study of plants, encompassing structure, growth, evolution, classification, and distribution.
• It includes morphology, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and ecology.

Branches of Botany

• Plant Morphology: studies external form and structure of plants.
• Plant Anatomy: studies internal structure of plants.
• Plant Physiology: studies functions and processes within plants.
• Plant Ecology: studies interactions between plants and their environment.
• Plant Systematics: studies classification, identification, and naming of plants.
• Ethnobotany: studies use of plants by humans, including cultural and traditional significance.

Plant Cell Structure

• Cell Wall: rigid outer layer composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin.
• Plasma Membrane: semi-permeable membrane regulating movement of substances in and out of the cell.
• Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside the cell where metabolic reactions occur.
• Chloroplasts: organelles responsible for photosynthesis.
• Vacuoles: organelles involved in storage, recycling, and waste management.

Plant Growth and Development

• Seed Germination: process by which a seed begins to grow into a new plant.
• Meristems: regions of undifferentiated cells giving rise to new tissues and organs.
• Hormones: chemical messengers regulating plant growth and development.
• Tropisms: growth responses to environmental stimuli, such as light and gravity.

Plant Reproduction

• Flowers: reproductive structures producing gametes (sperm and egg cells).
• Pollination: transfer of pollen from one plant to another, allowing for fertilization.
• Fruits and Seeds: structures developing from fertilized flowers, containing the next generation of plants.

Plant Responses to Environment

• Photosynthesis: process converting light energy into chemical energy.
• Transpiration: process releasing water vapor into the air.
• Stomata: small openings on the surface of leaves regulating gas exchange.
• Plant Defense Mechanisms: strategies used by plants to defend against pathogens, herbivores, and environmental stressors.

Botany

• Botany is the scientific study of plants, including their structure, growth, evolution, classification, and distribution, also known as plant biology or phytology.

Branches of Botany

• Structural Botany involves the study of plant structure, including morphology, anatomy, and cytology.
• Systematic Botany involves the study of plant classification, identification, and naming.
• Ecological Botany involves the study of plant interactions with their environment and other organisms.
• Physiological Botany involves the study of plant functions, such as photosynthesis, respiration, and metabolism.
• Genetic Botany involves the study of plant genetics, including genetic variation, inheritance, and evolution.

Plant Structure

• Roots are underground organs that absorb water and nutrients.
• Stems are above-ground organs that support leaves and transport materials.
• Leaves are organs that carry out photosynthesis.
• Flowers are reproductive structures that produce seeds and fruits.

Plant Classification

• Plants belong to the domain Eukarya (eukaryotic organisms).
• Plants belong to the kingdom Plantae (plants).
• Divisions of plants include Bryophyta (mosses), Pteridophyta (ferns), Gymnospermae (gymnosperms), and Angiospermae (angiosperms).

Importance of Botany

• Plants provide food, fiber, and other essential resources.
• Plants are a source of medicinal compounds and traditional remedies.
• Plants play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate and ecosystems.