Plant Biology Flashcards
Biochemistry
chemical aspects of plant life processes. Includes the chemical products of plants
Anatomy
microscopic plant structure (cells and tissues).
Biophysics
application of physics to plant life processes.
Cytology
structure, function, and life history of plant cells.
Ecology
relationships between plants and the world in which they live, both individually and in communities.
Genetics
plant heredity and variation. Plant geneticists study genes and gene function in plants.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
structure and function of biological macromolecules, including biochemical and molecular aspects of genetics.
MORPHOLOGY
macroscopic plant form. Morphologists also study the evolution and development of leaves, roots and stems.
PALEOBOTANY
biology and evolution of fossil plants.
PHYSIOLOGY
functions and vital processes of plants. Photosynthesis and mineral nutrition are two examples of subjects studied by plant physiologists.
SYSTEMATICS
evolutionary history and relationships among plants.
SYSTEMS ECOLOGY
uses mathematical models to demonstrate concepts like nutrient cycling.
TAXONOMY
is the subdiscipline of identifying, naming, and classifying plants.
AGRONOMY
crop and soil sciences. Agronomists make practical use of plant and soil sciences to increase the yield of field crops.
BIOTECHNOLOGY
using biological organisms to produce useful products. Most people today have a narrower view of biotechnology as the genetic modification of living organisms to produce useful products. Plant biotechnology involves inserting desirable genes into plants and having those genes expressed.
BREEDING
development of better types of plants. Breeding involves selecting and crossing plants with desirable traits such as disease resistance.
ECONOMIC BOTANY
plants with commercial importance. Economic botany includes the study of botany harmful and beneficial plants and plant products.
FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
development of food from venous plant products.
FORESTRY
forest management for the production of timber, and conservation.
HORTICULTURE
the production of ornamental plants and fruit and vegetable crops. Landscape design is also an important sub-discipline in horticulture.
NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
the responsible use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of society.
PLANT PATHOLOGY
diseases of plants. Plant pathologists are concerned with both the biological aspects of disease and with disease management, or control.
EDUCATION
providing knowledge and insight about plants, plant biology, and the crucial ecological roles of plants. Includes teaching in schools, museums and botanical gardens, development of educational materials, and science writing.
EXPLORATION
search for new, undiscovered plants.
HISTORY
development of botany as a scientific discipline.
BRYOLOGY
the study of mosses and similar plants. Bryologists study all aspects of these plants, including their identification, classification, and ecology.
LICHENOLOGY
the biology of lichens, dual organisms composed of both a fungus and an alga.
MYCOLOGY
the biology of fungi. Fungi have a tremendous impact on our world. They are crucial in the biosphere because they help recycle dead organic material. Some fungi are important producers of biological products such as vitamins and antibiotics.
MICROBIOLOGY
the study of microorganisms. Microbiologists may be specialized by organism (for example, microbiologists that study bacteria) of by a branch of biology
PTERlDOLOGY
the study of ferns and similar plants. Pteridologists study all aspects of fem biology.
PHYCOLOGY
the study of algae, which are the base of the food chain in the aquatic environments of the world. Phycologists that study algae in oceans are sometimes called MARINE BOTANISTS.
