Discover the Biological Sciences
The introductory information for this site has been contributed as a joint assignment by students in Bio. Sci. 10.
Botany - Botany
By: Jilianne Conley
1) Biological field or sub-topic chosen: Botany.
2) Define field or sub-topic:
“Botany is the scientific study of plant life. As a branch of biology, it is also called plant science(s), phytology, or plant biology. The study of plants and botany began with tribal lore, used to identify edible, medicinal and poisonous plants, making botany one of the oldest sciences. From this ancient interest in plants, the scope of botany has increased to include the study of over 550,000 kinds or species of living organisms.” www.wikipedia.com
3) Describe in more detail the breath and depth of what could be studied or learned within this topic:
Botany covers a wide range of scientific disciplines that study plants, algae, and fungi including: structure, growth, reproduction, metabolism, development, diseases, and chemical properties and evolutionary relationships between the different groups.
4) Botany, being the scientific study of plants is closely tied to horticulture.
Horticulturists work and conduct research in the fields of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic engineering, plant biochemistry, and plant physiology. The work particularly involves fruits, berries, nuts, vegetables, flowers, trees, shrubs, and turf. Horticulturalists work to improve crop yield, quality, nutritional value, and resistance to insects, diseases, and environmental stresses.
5) In studying and discovering more about this topic, what was the most interesting aspect, fact or some other piece of information that you have learned.
I am an orchid lover and have been trying to master the art of getting my orchids to re-bloom. What I really need to understand is the metabolism and structure of the plant so that I can maintain healthy growth. I fertilize my orchids about once a month but I need to pay more attention to the environment where I keep my orchids, ie. sunlight, temperature, the amount of water, etc. All these aspects are equally important.
6) References – provide references used and at least two Web sites with additional information on this topic (or sub-topic) for anyone that would like to learn more:
www.wikipedia.com
http://www.gardens.si.edu/
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