Botany

 

Botany

Define:

Botany is the scientific study of photosynthesis-producing plants or multicellular organisms.

Explanation:

 Botany is often known as plant science or plant biology as a discipline of biology. Botany is a broad field of science that investigates the structure, growth, reproduction, metabolism, development, diseases, ecology, and evolution of plants. Plants are important to study because they are an essential aspect of life on Earth, providing food, oxygen, fuel, medicine, and fibers that enable other living forms to exist. They absorb carbon dioxide, a waste product produced by most organisms, and greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming, through photosynthesis. Plants, like other forms of life, can be examined on a variety of levels. The first is the molecular level, which is concerned with plant biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. The morphology and physiology of plants are studied at the cellular, tissue, and organelle (a discrete structure of a cell with a specialized function) level; while interactions within a species, with other species, and with the environment are studied at the community and population level.

 

Botanists used to study any living thing that wasn't an animal. Fungi, algae, and bacteria are now classified as members of other kingdoms, but they are still studied in introductory botany schools, according to the current categorization scheme. The ancient Greeks were among the first to write scientifically about plants. Empedocles, who lived in the fifth century B.C.E., believed that plants, like animals, had a soul, as well as reason and common sense. Plants, according to Aristotle, were in the same category as animals and inanimate objects. Theophrastus, Aristotle's pupil, published two works about plants that were still in use in the 15th century. Carl Linné, a Swedish physician-turned-botanist, is credited with inventing the systematic naming method (nomenclature), which is still used to provide scientific names to all species, plant and otherwise, today. Plants have always been a convenient organism to study scientifically since they do not present the same ethical concerns as an animal or human research. After crossing pea plants in his garden in the 1850s, Austrian monk Gregor Mendel wrote the first rules of inheritance, a set of core ideas relating to the transmission of hereditary features from parent organisms to their children. Barbara McClintock uncovered "jumping genes" and other information regarding inheritance by examining maize plants nearly a century later.

BOTANY SUBDISCIPLINES

Agronomy and Crop Science

Agronomy and Crop Science is an agricultural science that deals with the production of field crops and soil management.

Phycology and Algology

Algae research is the study of algae.

Bacteriology

Bacterial science is the study of bacteria (also considered part of microbiology).

Bryology

Mosses and liverworts are studied in this field.

Mycology

The study of fungi is known as mycology.

Paleobotany

The study of plant fossils is known as phytoarcheology.

Anatomy and Physiology of Plants

The study of the structure and function of plants is known as botany.

Biology of Plant Cells

The study of the structure and function of cells is known as cell biology.

Genetics of Plants

This is the study of plant genetic inheritance.

Pathology of Plants

This is the study of plant diseases.

Pteridology

The study of ferns and their relatives is known as pteridology.

 

Botany as a bachelor's degree prepares students for professional work or graduate school. Plant pathology, forestry, agricultural production, horticulture, genetics and plant breeding, plant biotechnology, and environmental monitoring and control are all areas where a botany degree can help you advance your career. Positions as an ecologist, taxonomist, environmentalist, forester, and plant explorer are among the occupations open to someone who appreciates the outdoors. Biophysics, developmental botany, genetics, modeling, and systems ecology can appeal to someone with a mathematical background. A chemistry enthusiast could work as a plant physiologist, plant biochemist, or molecular biologist. Microbiology, phycology, and mycology are popular choices for people who are captivated by microscopic organisms. Ornamental horticulture and landscape design on a bigger scale necessitates the aesthetic use of plant shape and color. Plant pathology (diseases) or plant breeding can be of interest to someone concerned about the world's food supply.