Plant Biology Chapter 1

plant taxonomy

-describing, naming and classifying organisms -oldest branch of plant study (all knowledge has a starting point and if something does not have a name then a conversation cannot begin. Taxonomy is the basis of plant study and therefore, precedes other branches) -Carl Linnaeus (Species Plantarum is still used today)

agriculture moving towards a more horticulture approach to growing plants

-disease resistant plants -adding organic matter back into the soil -Integrated Pest Management http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/mbcn/fea102.html

How have humans impacted the environment?

-erosion -water pollution -deforestation -loss of biodiversity -depletion and in some cases, causing the extinction of plants that are our main source of medicine -introduced invasive plants that are replacing native species -depletion of water aquifers -loss of wetlands -climate change

How and why all life is dependent on green organisms

-plants produce oxygen -green organisms are the sole converter of sun's energy into sustenance -removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere -provides food, clothes, industrial products, shelter, fuel and medicine

Horticulture

Science of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers or ornamental plants within a farm or garden.

Agriculture

Science or occupation concerned with cultivating land, raising crops and or livestock. Throughout history the mindset of "quantity over quality" prevailed but we are moving towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious approach.

Scientific method

a process of asking a question, predicting an outcome and conducting experiments to prove or disprove the supposed outcome and ultimately to gain knowledge.

cladistics

analyzes shared plant features

Variable

aspect that is changed in an experiment

Control

aspect that remains constant in an experiment

cell biology

cell structure and function

dendrochronology

determining past climates by examining tree rings

genomics

focuses on genes and their functions -genetic engineering (transferring genes from one organism to another) helps in creating some plants to be resistant to pests, climates, diseases, etc.

economic botany

practical uses of plants and plant products

plant systematics

science of developing methods for grouping plant organisms -reclassifying

genetics

science of heredity founded by Gregor Mendel

plant morphology

study of plant forms and structure externally

paleobotany

study of plant fossils to help uncover past civilizations

plant physiology

study of plant function like photosynthesis, hormones, genes, reproduction, relationship with temperature and light for growth, etc.

ethnobotany

study of the culture of herbal medicinal

plant ecology

study of the interaction of plants with one another and with their environment

plant anatomy

study of the internal structure of plants

Hypothesis

tentative, unproven explanation (guess) for something that has been observed.

botany

the study of plants

forensic botany

the use of plant material to solve crimes

plant geography

why and how plants are distributed where they are