Intro to Botany PDF

 What is Botany? The study of plant life. The oldest and main branches of Biology. The source of life and existence for humans and animals An understanding of the beauty of Nature!  The Beauty of Nature https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjCzPp-MK48  Importanc...

 What is Botany? The study of plant life. The oldest and main branches of Biology. The source of life and existence for humans and animals An understanding of the beauty of Nature!  The Beauty of Nature https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjCzPp-MK48  Importance of Botany Plays a major role in our everyday lives Requires understanding in order to maintain a “sustainable environment” (one that allows humans to survive without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs). As the number of humans increase, the affect of the Earth’s resources and organisms ( including plants) are affected. A drastic reduction in biological diversity is  Concepts Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. Plants lock carbon dioxide in their tissues. This counteracts some of the heating effects of carbon dioxide.  Concepts Plants changed the climate of Earth in ways that we can now live on it. Plants also produce the oxygen we breathe and the food we eat. We get cloth, paper, lumber, and chemicals from plants, and plants are important to us spiritually because of their beauty.  Plants: A Solution to Global Climate Change? Accumulation of atmospheric CO2 is responsible for changing global climate. Plants remove atmospheric CO2 during photosynthesis. Plants have changed Earth’s climate. Can plants reverse the accumulation? – Release of CO2 outstrips assimilation.  Plants Will always mostly consist of the following: Leaves Stems Roots Branches Stems, roots, and leaves − Leaves harvest energy from the sun and package it into the sugar called glucose. − Roots obtain minerals and other nutrients. − Stems bear leaves. Vegetative organs do not carry out sexual reproduction.  Plants Botany is the scientific study of plants. Defining the term plant is difficult. - Inclusion or exclusion of some groups. - Biologists do not all agree. Algae: Are they plants?  Plants Most have green leaves, stems, roots, and flowers, though there are exceptions. © James D. Mauseth - Conifers (gymnosperms) don’t produce flowers. - Mosses lack true leaves, stems, and roots & neither mosses or ferns produce flowers. © James D. Mauseth  Plants Fungi were once considered plants but are now excluded. Green algae are problematic. - Similar to plant at the cellular © James D. Mauseth and biochemical level - But seem to share more with other algae © James D. Mauseth  Anatomy and Physiology Basics of a plant Anatomically a plant has 3 main structure features: a. Cellulosic cell walls b. Chloroplasts c. Appearance ( roots, stems and leaves) Physiologically there are 5 basic functions of a plant: a. Metabolism (photosynthesis and respiration) b. Water and Nutrients (xylem and phloem) c. Growth and Development (hormones, circadian rhythm and photoperiodism/temperature) d. Environment e. Reproduction (sexual and asexual)  Autotrophic vs. Heterotrophic Organisms Heterotrophs satisfy their energy requirements by consuming the organic compounds produced by external sources. Animals, Fungi and most single-celled organisms are heterotrophs Autotrophs self-feeders cells that evolved to make their own energy-rich molecules from simple inorganic materials.  What is Science? To know or have knowledge Organized skepticism (M. Curd) A self-corrective discipline Systematic gathering of information from observation or experimentation Search for understanding that is achieved by statements of natural laws applicable to a wide variety of situations, tested experimentally (Goldstein & Goldstein) involves the observation, recording, organization, and classification of information  Scientific Method (1 of 5) 1. Source of information Information must be derived only from carefully documented and controlled observations or experiments. Any claim must be subject to verification and proof. 2. Phenomena that can be studied Only tangible phenomena and observations may be studied. Anything that cannot be observed (or detected by an instrument) cannot be studied.  Scientific Method (2 of 5) 3. Constancy and universality Physical forces that control the world are constant through time and the same everywhere. Experiments done at one place and time should give the same results if carefully repeated at a different time and place. Constancy and universality allow us to plan future experiments and predict what the outcome should be.  Scientific Method (3 of 5) 4.Basis—Skepticism The fundamental basis of the scientific method is skepticism. Skepticism is never being certain of a conclusion and of always being willing to consider new evidence.  Using Concepts to Understand Plants There are a few fundamental concepts that will make plant biology more easily understood. 1.Plant metabolism is based on the principles of chemistry and physics. All the principles you learn in your chemistry or physics classes are completely valid for plants.  Using Concepts to Understand Plants 2. Plants must have a means of storing and using information. Genes are the primary means of storing this information. 3. Plants reproduce, passing their genes and information on to their descendants. Seeds contain information from their parents. © James D. Mauseth  Using Concepts to Understand Plants 4. Genes, and the information they contain, can change. Plants copy genes during reproduction. These changes cause differences in offspring. Over time, a gradual evolution occurs. 5. Plants must survive in their own environment. They must be adapted to their environment. Plants more suited to their environment reproduce more successfully and  Using Concepts to Understand Plants 6. Plants are highly integrated organisms. The structure and metabolism of one part tend to impact the rest of the plant. An adaptation in one area is often balanced by changes in another. 7. An individual plant is the temporary result of the interaction of genes and environment. The way a plant interacts with its environment is guided by genetic information that has slowly evolved over thousands of years. The genetic pool of the species exists beyond the phenotype represented by a single specimen. 8. Plants do not have purpose or decision-making capacity. Anthropomorphism and teleology should be avoided. Anthropomorphism: applying human characteristics to non-human organisms or things Teleology: the assumption that processes or structures have a purpose  Origin and Evolution of Plants Organisms were originally simple and increased in complexity through evolution by natural selection. Courtesy of R. Fulginiti, University of Texas, Austin  Origin of Plants Life on Earth began about 3.5 billion years ago with prokaryotes (bacteria and archaeans). −Photosynthesis arose 2.8 billion years ago in a cyanobacterium. Organelles evolved followed by division of labor and specialization. −DNA became located in its own organelle, the cell nucleus. −Development of organelles was followed by division of labor and specialization. −Eukaryotes have nuclei (plants, fungi, animals, algae). Eukaryotes diversified, some gaining mitochondria and some gaining chloroplasts (via endosymbiosis). −Those with mitochondria evolved into protozoans, fungi, and animals. −Those with mitochondria and chloroplasts evolved into plants and algae. All organisms fit into three large groups called domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. Spices $2 billion retail sales (U.S., 1994) U.S. – largest producer & consumer of spices  Coffee - $65B retail US sales (2001) 25 million coffee producing family farms Provides for non-intoxicating social interaction Recreational Drugs Velcro – George de Mestral 1907-1990  Effects of Humans and Plants on the Environment Population has increased over the past century which has drastically impacted the survival of not only humans, but other living organisms as well. Plants and plant products are taken for granted. Totally dependent on green organisms. We have had major impacts on the environment: Drained wetlands Cleared natural vegetation Dumped wastes and pollution Used pesticides and herbicides  Reducing Human Impact on the Environment We must reduce our environmental impact:  Change agricultural practices  Render pollutants harmless (remediation)  Recycle  Replace pesticides with biological pest controls  Conserve water and energy  Preserve habitats and species