Introduction to Botany 2

Microscopes

• A microscope serves two essential functions: magnification and resolution.
• Zacharias Janssen invented the first compound microscope; his father, Hans Janssen, contributed to its development.
• Anton Van Leeuwenhoek is known as the "Father of Microscopy" for his work advancing microscopic techniques.
• Robert Hooke, recognized as the "Father of Law of Elasticity," studied living organisms microscopically and coined the term "cell" after observing cork's cellular structure, which was fundamental to classical cell theory.

Types of Microscopes

• Simple Microscope: Utilizes a single lens to magnify objects.
• Compound Microscope: Employs two ocular lenses for enhanced magnification.
• Light Microscope: Illuminates specimens using visible light.
• Electron Microscope: Utilizes beams of electrons for greater magnification, surpassing that of light microscopes.
• Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM): Scans and provides detailed images of an object's surface.
• Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM): Allows electrons to penetrate a specimen, rendering a clearer 3D image of internal structures.

Scientific Method

• The Scientific Method is a structured approach to investigating environmental questions or problems.
• Begins with observation of natural phenomena, leading to the formulation of questions.
• A hypothesis is proposed as a scientific explanation or prediction.
• The hypothesis is tested through experimentation.
• Results are analyzed, often using statistical tools, to validate or refute the hypothesis.
• Conclusions are drawn based on the analysis of results.
• Two key characteristics of a hypothesis are its testability through experimentation and the necessity for repetition of tests.

Branches of Botany

• Plant Pathology: Focuses on the study of plant diseases and potential treatments.
• Plant Physiology: Examines the physiological functions and processes within plants.
• Pharmaceutical Botany: Studies medicinal plants’ roles in disease treatment, nutritional supplements, and pharmaceutical applications.
• Plant Taxonomy and Systematics: Involves the classification and naming of plants.
• Plant Morphology: Investigates the physical form and external structural features of plants.
• Paleobotany: Studies ancient plant fossils to understand historical plant life.
• Phytogeography: Explores the distribution of plants, emphasizing origins, dispersal, evolution, and influences of climate change.
• Pomology: Concerns the cultivation of fruit-bearing plants.
• Bryology: Focuses on the study of mosses and liverworts (bryophytes).
• Agronomy: Involves the production of field crops and soil management practices.
• Ethnobotany: Explores the relationships between humans and plants, particularly in cultural and medicinal contexts.