Tag: plant science
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Chapter 7a Plants and the agricultural imperative
Rice, a vital food staple, supports half of the global population and illustrates the integral role of agriculture in human survival and civilisation. While agriculture fosters artistic development, reliance on a few crops raises concerns about food security. Challenges include disease risks and environmental sustainability, emphasising the need for diverse…
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Chapter 6 The intelligent plant(?)
This chapter explores the controversial concept of plant intelligence, examining how plants utilise other organisms for vital processes like pollination. It discusses debates surrounding definitions of intelligence and the potential for plants to influence human behaviour. ‘Plant neurobiology’ is discussed, in the hope of prompting reevaluation of plant capabilities and…
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Chapter 3 The economical and efficient design of plants
Taxodium, a remarkable gymnosperm, exemplifies nature’s design with its three essential tissue systems—dermal, vascular, and ground. These systems enable plants to achieve tremendous diversity and size while fulfilling human material needs, such as fibres for textiles. Plant structures also inspire innovative solutions in human engineering through biomimetics.
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Chapter 2 Oxygen, the planet’s most precious waste product
Plants, through photosynthesis, produce vital oxygen and organic compounds that support life on Earth and enabled the evolution of complex organisms. This chapter highlights the importance of photosynthesis in ecosystems and discusses potential improvements to increase efficiency for a growing human population, emphasising the need for more plant scientists in…
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Introduction to Mr Plant Cuttings’ book project
This post highlights Mr P Cuttings’ ambition for a book about plants. Highlighting 10 need-to-know facts about our green neighbours, topics include plant diversity, structure, and senses, photosynthesis, agriculture, and cultural and wellbeing impacts of plants. By emphasising plants’ historical – and continuing – impact on human life, it hopes…
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A timely appreciation of plants
Christopher Woods’ book, “In Botanical Time,” explores the astonishing lifespans of the world’s oldest plants, illustrating their biology and ecology across 230 pages. Although well-written and richly illustrated, the book lacks source citations, which detracts from its scientific credibility. Nonetheless, it captivates readers with tales of remarkable plant longevity.
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Lichens and humans cement a friendship
The post discusses a study by Nisha Rokaya et al. exploring a synthetic lichen system to address concrete cracking. This approach combines fungi and algae/cyanobacteria to create a self-healing solution by producing calcium carbonate for repair. The research shows potential for sustainable construction but requires further testing for effectiveness in…
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The essentials of plant biology
Essential Plant Biology by Alison Smith et al. offers a comprehensive overview of modern plant biology, emphasizing molecular genetics and biochemistry, crucial for understanding plant function today. Divided into six parts, the book covers topics from plant evolution to environmental interactions, targeting undergraduates with a foundation in molecular biology.
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Can pollen save coral reefs?
Traditional sunscreens harm marine life, particularly corals. A new eco-friendly sunscreen using sporopollenin from tea pollen – developed by Chungmo Yang et al. – demonstrates effective UV protection without bleaching corals. This presents a potentially sustainable solution to mitigate environmental damage caused by conventional sun-blocking products.
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A super book about fern biology
Ferns: Lessons in Survival From Earth’s Most Adaptable Plants by Fay-Wei Li & Jacob S Suissa, illustrated by Laura Silburn, explores fern biology, diversity, and evolution. The book combines engaging text with extensive illustrations, making it visually appealing and informative. Although technical at times, it serves as an excellent introduction…
Plant Cuttings 