kevin cummins' botany sampler

A Quick Tour of Botany

for Passionate

Gardeners:A Peek into Plant Structure and Function

California Rare Fruit Growers, San Diego ChapterJune 2012

Kevin Cummins

Lifelong Gardener & Plant Experimentalist,

Biologist, Biomedical Researcher, Statistician,

College Professor and K-6 Science Instructor

Focus is on Flowering

PlantsFruits Come from Flowers

Plants Are ModularThey also have indeterminate growth

Modular organism:

One that grows by the repeated iteration

of parts, e.g. the leaves, shoots and

branches of a plant, the polyps of a coral or

bryozoan.

Modular organisms are almost always

branched, though the connections between

branches may separate or decay and the

separated parts may in many cases then

become physiologically independent.

Indeterminate GrowthSenescence in plants is not the same as in

animals

Characteristics of Organisms2nd Grade Responses

Animals

Locomotion

Communication

Think

Senses

Eat

Drink

Pee

Poop

Breath

Plants

Sessile

Green

Have roots, stems, leaves

Need water

Need light

Need CO2/Produce O2

Outline Plant cells

Stem structure

Growth patterns

Leaf structure

Photosynthesis

Transport

Root structure

Flowers and fruit

In Kevin’s Mind: Plants

Plant Cell

Basic Cell Types

Cellulose

Bundles +

Lignin Matrix

Cellulose Strength

Basic Tissue Types Epidermis

The outer covering

Ground

The central tissue

Vascular

Fluid transport system

Meristem

Embryonic tissue

Epidermis

Stomata

Waxy Cuticle

Foliar Feeding

Dicot,

Primary Growth

Stems

Vascular TissueDicots

The Plant Body

Ap

ica

l M

eriste

ms

Just a Fairytale

Growth PatternsApical and lateral growth

Secondary GrowthSecondary Xylem = Wood

Wood

Wood under high magnification

Outline Plant cells

Stem structure

Growth patterns

Leaf structure

Photosynthesis

Root structure

Transport

Flowers and fruit

Leaf Structure

Chloroplasts

Photosynthesis

Energy Capture Occurs

on Membranes

Part of Cytochrome b6f

What makes leaves

green?

Response to Intense

Light

PhotorespirationWasted Light Absorption

Outline Plant cells

Stem structure

Growth patterns

Leaf structure

Photosynthesis

Root structure

Transport

Flowers and fruit

Root Structure

Root Architecture

Mychorizal Associations

Internal Communications

Example: Roots to Leaves

Outline Plant cells

Stem structure

Growth patterns

Leaf structure

Photosynthesis

Root structure

Transport

Flowers and fruit

Water

Transport

Sugar Transport

Outline Plant cells

Stem structure

Growth patterns

Leaf structure

Photosynthesis

Root structure

Transport

Flowers and fruit

Flowers and Fruit

Seeds and Fruit

Wild Cherries“Catalina cherry”

Energetics of Seed Size

and Fat ContentNotes: Model seed contains 1 kcal of energy. From Lokesha et al 1991

Evolutionary Flexibility of Fruit

Fruit Ripening(Not all fruit react to ethylene)

Toxic Fruit!

Competing Influences

Explain Plant Forms

Outline Plant cells

Stem structure

Growth patterns

Leaf structure

Photosynthesis

Root structure

Transport

Flowers and fruit

College Biology

Characteristic Animals Plants

Modular Some Yes

Growth Determinant Indeterminate*

Internal

Communication

Nerves/hormo

nes

hormones

Skeleton Internal

(bones)

Whole Body

(cells, cell walls)

Sexually Reproduce Most Most

Respond to stimuli Yes Yes

Energy Source Eat Sunlight*

College Biology

Characteristic Animals Plants

Vascular system Yes

(Active)

Yes

(Passive &

Active)

Require water Yes Yes

Make choices Yes Yes*

Locomotion Yes* Some*

Complex cellular

specialization and

organization

Yes Yes

Use Oxygen Yes Yes

Use CO2 No Yes