Introduction to Botany

Core Disciplines

• Plant Anatomy focuses on the internal structure of plants macroscopically and microscopically.
• Plant Physiology explores plant life functions like photosynthesis, respiration, nutrition, and hormone regulation.
• Plant Taxonomy classifies, names, and identifies plants using morphological, genetic, and ecological data.
• Plant Systematics studies the evolutionary relationships between plants.
• Plant Ecology investigates interactions between plants and their environment.
• Plant Genetics is the study of heredity and variation in plants.
• Plant Molecular Biology explores molecular processes in plants, including gene expression and protein function.
• Paleobotany studies fossil plants to understand plant evolution.

Plant Morphology

• Focuses on the external form and structure of plants.
• Roots provide anchorage and absorb water and nutrients.
• Root variations include taproots, fibrous roots, and adventitious roots.
• Stems support plants and transport water, nutrients, and sugars.
• Stem variations include woody stems, herbaceous stems, rhizomes, and tubers.
• Leaves are the primary site of photosynthesis.
• Leaf variations include simple leaves, compound leaves, needles, and scales.
• Flowers are reproductive structures for sexual reproduction.
• Flower structures include sepals, petals, stamens, and pistils.
• Fruits develop from flowers and contain seeds; mechanisms facilitate seed dispersal.

Plant Physiology

• Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy as sugars.
• Chlorophyll absorbs light energy; carbon dioxide and water convert into glucose and oxygen.
• Respiration breaks down sugars, releasing energy for plant growth and metabolism.
• Transpiration is water movement and evaporation from aerial parts, especially leaves.
• Nutrient Uptake involves plants acquiring essential elements from soil via roots.
• Macronutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
• Micronutrients include iron, zinc, and copper.
• Plant Hormones regulate plant growth and development.
• Auxins promote cell elongation.
• Cytokinins promote cell division.
• Gibberellins stimulate stem elongation.
• Abscisic acid promotes seed dormancy.
• Ethylene regulates fruit ripening.

Plant Ecology

• Plant Communities are plant species groups in a specific area.
• Succession is change in plant communities over time.
• Plant-Animal Interactions include pollination, seed dispersal, and herbivory.
• Adaptations to different environments affect plant survival and reproduction.
• Conservation Biology protects plant biodiversity and ecosystems.
• Factors include habitat loss, climate change, and invasive species.

Plant Genetics

• Mendelian Genetics explains plant inheritance patterns.
• Mutations introduce genetic variation in plant populations.
• Genetic Engineering modifies plant genes to improve traits.
• Selective Breeding selects and breeds plants with desirable traits.

Plant Taxonomy and Systematics

• Binomial Nomenclature is a two-name system with genus and species names.
• Taxonomic Hierarchy includes domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.
• Phylogenetic Trees show evolutionary relationships between plants.
• Molecular Data infers phylogenetic relationships.

Plant Anatomy

• Cells are basic structural/functional units.
• Cell types include parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma.
• Tissues are cell groups performing similar functions.
• Tissue types include epidermis, vascular tissue, and ground tissue.
• Organs are structures of different tissues, such as roots, stems, and leaves.

Plant Development

• Seed Germination is the process by which a seed sprouts and begins to grow.
• Vegetative Growth is the growth of plant structures such as roots, stems, and leaves.
• Reproductive Development is the development of flowers, fruits, and seeds.

Economic Botany

• Agriculture cultivates plants for food, fiber, and other products.
• Forestry manages forests for timber and other products.
• Horticulture cultivates ornamental plants.
• Medicinal Plants are used for medicinal purposes.