Overview of Botany and Plant Structure

Definition: The scientific study of plants, including their structure, properties, biochemical processes, and interactions with the environment.
Branches:
- Plant physiology: Study of plant functions.
- Plant ecology: Study of plant interactions with ecosystems.
- Plant taxonomy: Classification and naming of plants.
- Ethnobotany: Study of the relationship between plants and people.

Cells: Fundamental unit of life in plants; consists of cell wall, chloroplasts, and vacuoles.
Tissues:
- Meristematic: Actively dividing cells, responsible for growth.
- Permanent: Different types include:
  - Parenchyma: Fundamental tissue for storage and photosynthesis.
  - Collenchyma: Provides support and flexibility.
  - Sclerenchyma: Provides rigid support with thickened cell walls.
Organs:
- Roots: Anchor plants, absorb water and nutrients.
- Stems: Support for leaves and flowers; transport of nutrients and water.
- Leaves: Main site for photosynthesis; structures include stomata, veins, and chloroplasts.
- Flowers: Reproductive structures; attract pollinators and facilitate reproduction.

Photosynthesis:
- Occurs in chloroplasts; converts sunlight into chemical energy (glucose).
- Formula: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6 O2.
Respiration:
- Process of breaking down glucose to release energy; occurs in mitochondria.
- Formula: C6H12O6 + 6 O2 → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + energy.
Transpiration:
- Loss of water vapor from plant leaves.
- Important for nutrient transport and temperature regulation.

Asexual Reproduction:
- Methods include vegetative propagation, budding, and fragmentation.
Sexual Reproduction:
- Involves the formation of seeds through the fusion of gametes.
- Pollination methods include wind, water, and animals.

Classification:
- Two main groups:
  - Non-vascular plants (e.g., mosses).
  - Vascular plants (e.g., ferns, gymnosperms, angiosperms).
Angiosperms: Flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed in fruit.
Gymnosperms: Non-flowering plants that produce seeds on cones.

Ecological: Plants provide oxygen, food, and habitat for numerous species.
Economic: Agriculture, forestry, horticulture, and biotechnology rely on plant science.
Medicinal: Many medications are derived from plant compounds.

Microscopy: Essential for studying plant cells and tissues.
Field Studies: Examination of plants in their natural environment.
Molecular Techniques: DNA sequencing for plant classification and genetics study.

Genetic Engineering: Development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for improved yield, disease resistance.
Conservation Biology: Focus on preserving plant diversity and ecosystems amidst climate change and habitat destruction.
Urban Botany: Study of plants in urban environments, including green roofs and urban forestry.

Botany is the comprehensive study of plants.
It encompasses their structure, properties, biochemical processes, and interactions with the environment.
Key branches include plant physiology, ecology, taxonomy, and ethnobotany.

The fundamental unit of life in plants is the cell, which contains a cell wall, chloroplasts, and vacuoles.
Tissues types include meristematic, parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma, each serving specific functions.
Plants have organs like roots, stems, leaves, and flowers.
Roots anchor the plant, absorb water and nutrients.
Stems support leaves and flowers while transporting nutrients and water.
Leaves facilitate photosynthesis, with structures like stomata, veins, and chloroplasts.
Flowers are reproductive structures, attracting pollinators and facilitating reproduction.

Photosynthesis, occurring in chloroplasts, converts sunlight into chemical energy (glucose).
The process of respiration breaks down glucose, releasingenergy in mitochondria.
Transpiration is the loss of water vapor from plant leaves.
This process is crucial for nutrient transport and temperature regulation.

Asexual reproduction methods include vegetative propagation, budding, and fragmentation.
Sexual reproduction involves the formation of seeds through the fusion of gametes.
Pollination occurs through wind, water, or animals.

Plants are classified into two main groups: non-vascular (mosses) and vascular (ferns, gymnosperms, angiosperms).
Angiosperms, flowering plants, produce seeds enclosed in fruit.
Gymnosperms are non-flowering plants that produce seeds on cones.

From an ecological perspective, plants provide oxygen, food, and habitats for numerous species.
Economic sectors like agriculture, forestry, horticulture, and biotechnology rely on plant science.
Many medications derive from plant compounds.

Microscopy is essential for studying plant cells and tissues.
Field studies allow examination of plants in their natural environment.
Molecular techniques, such as DNA sequencing, are used for plant classification and genetic studies.

Genetic engineering focuses on developing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for improved yield and disease resistance.
Conservation biology aims to preserve plant diversity and ecosystems amidst climate change and habitat destruction.
Urban botany explores plants in urban environments, including green roofs and urban forestry.