Chapter 1: What is Plant Biology?

Cell biology

(Previously called Cytology), the science of cell structure and function, received a boost from the discovery of how cells multiply and how their various components perform and integrate a variety of functions, including that of sexual reproduction.

Plant systematics

A related field but is broader than taxonomy. It is the science of developing methods for grouping organisms.

Science

A search for knowledge of the the natural world.

Hypothesis

A tentative, unproven explanation for something that has been observed.

Plant anatomy

Concerned chiefly with the internal structure of plants, was established through the efforts of several scientific pioneers.

Plant physiology

Concerned with plant function, was established by J.B. Van Helmont (1577-1644), a Flemish physician and chemist, who was the first to demonstrate that plants do not have the same nutritional needs as animals.

Genomics

Focuses on genes and their function, has burst onto the genetics scene and now impacts nearly all genetics research.

Economic Botany and Ethnobotany

Focuses on practical uses of plants and plant products, had their origin in antiquity as humans discovered, used, and eventually cultivated plants for food, fiber, medicines, and other purposes.

Botany

From three Greek words, Botanikos (botanical), Botane (planet or herb), and Boskein (to feed), and the French word Botanique (botanical) - appears to have had its origins with Stone Age peoples who tried to modify their surroundings and feed themselves.

Plant taxanomy

Involves describing, naming, and classifying organisms.

Botanists

Scientists who study plants

Genetics

The science of heredity, was founded by the Austrian monk Gregor Mendel (1822-1884), who performed classic experiments with pea plants.

Plant geography

The study of how and why plants are distributed where they are, did not develop until the 19th century.

Plant morphology

Was developed during the 19th century, and during the 20th century much of our basic knowledge about the form and life cycles of plants was incorporated into the plant sciences as we know them today.

Plant ecology

Which is the study of the interaction of plants with one another and with their environment, also developed in the 19th century.