For example, whereas most organisms are dependent on other organisms for energy, plants can capture energy directly from photons of light and convert it into a usable form through the process of photosynthesis. For this reason, plants are referred to as the “producers” in a habitat. Unlike the cells of other organisms, plant cells have rigid cell walls constructed from the inside out (rather than the outside in) during mitosis and cytokinesis. Plants also have a variety of unique reproductive and dispersal mechanisms that allow them to quickly adapt to, occupy, and invade far-flung areas, despite their general immobility.
In this course, you will learn the basics of plant biology. We will begin with plant anatomy, learning the names and functions of all of the parts of a plant. We will then move on to plant physiology, where you will learn about photosynthesis, growth, and reproduction. Next, we will study plant evolution according to the fossil record and will take a general look at the diversity of plant life in existence today. Finally, we will discuss the ways in which plants fit into the global ecology, highlighting their importance in any habitat. This course will prepare you for further study in the fields of botany and horticulture. It will also be useful to students of ecology, evolution, and resource management.
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Identify and describe the functions of the different cells, tissues, and organs that make up a plant.
- Describe the major life processes in plants (photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, growth and development, and reproduction) at the tissue, organ, cellular, and molecular level.
- Explain the history and evolution of plants on earth.
- Discuss plant diversity and identify the major characteristics of plant phylogenetic divisions.
- Explain how plants fit into the global ecological system and why they are essential for life on earth.