Physiology and Behaviour of Plants

Introduction

The beginning: the evolution of plants and the major divisions

Conquering the land

The evolution of lignin

Plants and mass extinction

Floristic kingdoms, Biogeography and Biomes

What makes a plant?

Structure of the whole plant

Structure of the plant cell

The chloroplast

The vacuole

Microbodies

The cell wall

Plasmodesmata

References

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Chapter 2 Photosynthesis the ultimate in autotrophy

Introduction

Light harvesting

Leaf form

Chlorophyll and the chloroplast

Converting light energy into chemical energy

The Calvin cycle

Photorespiration

Carbohydrate synthesis and storage

The fate of carbon fixed during photosynthesis

The efficiency of photosynthesis

References

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Chapter 3 Nonphotosynthetic metabolism

Introduction

Phloem transport

Structure of the phloem

Coping with damage to the phloem

The sink tissues

Sink regulation of photosynthesis

References

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Chapter 4 Roots and the uptake of water

Introduction

Types of root

Functions of roots

Structure of roots

Osmosis

Loading and movement in the xylem

Stomata

References

Figure legends

Chapter 5 Mineral nutrition of plants

Introduction

Soil structure and mineral ions

General ion uptake

Phosphorus uptake and assimilation

Nitrogen uptake and assimilation

Iron uptake and assimilation

Sulphur uptake and assimilation

Function and effects of deficiencies of mineral ions on plants

Major elements

Minor elements

References

Figure legends

Chapter 6 Mycorrhizal Associations and Saprophytic Nutrition

Introduction

Mycorrhizal associations

Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal associations

Orchidaceous mycorrhizal associations

Ectomycorrhiza

Ericaceous mycorrhiza

Ectendomycorrhiza

Development of the mycorrhizal association

The role of the mycorrhizal association

Saprophytic nutrition

References

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Chapter 7 Parasitic plants

Introduction

Establishing a parasitic relationship

Facultative parasitic plants

Obligate parasitic plants, hemi-parasites

Obligate parasitic plants, holo-parasites

Parasitic species other than the dicotyledons

References

Tables

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Chapter 8 Carnivorous Plants

Introduction

Carnivory: the search for a definition

Why have some plants turned to carnivory?

Bladderworts (genus Utricularia)

Sundews (genus Drosera)

References

Background general reading

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Chapter 9 Asexual and Sexual Reproduction

Introduction

Asexual Reproduction

Roots

Stems

Leaves

Apomixis

Sexual Reproduction

Wind based pollination

Insect based pollination

Pollination

Mechanisms for improving cross fertilisation

Self incompatibility mechanisms

Trifolium repens

Apple (Malus)

Papaver rhoeas

Petunia hybrida

Petunia inflata

Seed development

References

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Chapter 10 Plant growth

Introduction

Types of growth

Cell division and the cell cycle

Polyploidy in plants

Seed formation and germination

The dividing meristem

Flower development

Vascular cambium and secondary growth

Intercalary meristem

Cell death

Plant growth regulators and cell growth

References

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Chapter 11 Plant Movement

Introduction

Tropism and nastic movements

Tropic movements

Nastic movements

Circumnutation

References

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Chapter 12 Plants and stress

Introduction

Adaptations to drought stress

Crassulacean acid metabolism

C4 photosynthesis

Resurrection plants

Salt stress

Flooding stress and anoxia

Cold stress

Adaptations to heat stress

References

Chapter 13 Plant senses and perceiving the world

Introduction

Sensing light (sight)

Protochlorophyllide

Phytochromes

Cryptochrome

Sensing time

Circadian clock

Photoperiodism

Sensing touch (feeling)

Sensing chemicals (taste)

Communicating (smell)

Sensing sounds (hearing)

References

Table 1. Ratios of red to far-red light in different environments. The data is based on that reported by Hopkins (1999)

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Chapter 14 Seed dispersal, dormancy and germination

Introduction

Seed dispersal

Gravity-mediated dispersal

Wind-mediated dispersal

Water-mediated dispersal

Animal-mediated dispersal

Importance of post-dispersal mechanisms

Dormancy and germination

Recalcitrant seeds

Dormant seeds

Factors governing dormancy and germination

Presence of germination inhibitors

Presence of inhibitory tissues

Presence of germination promoters

References

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Chapter 15 Interactions with the Animal Kingdom

Introduction

Animal mediated pollination

Mimicry in plants

Batesian mimicry

Müllerian mimicry

Aggressive mimicry

Seed dispersal and food reserves: the role of humans

References

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Chapter 16 Plant defences

Introduction

Physical defence structures

The cuticle

The cell wall

The cell wall as a passive barrier

The cell wall as an active barrier

Poisons by injection or touch

Chemical defences

Terpenes

Nitrogen-containing organic compounds

Cyanogenic glycosides

Glycosinolates

Lectins

Alkaloids

Defence reactions and signal pathways

Jasmonic acid

Salicylic acid

Systemin.

Phytoalexins

Allelopathy

Recognising self

Mimicry and the enrolment of other organisms for protection

References

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Chapter 17 Plants and Medicines

Introduction

Doctrine of signatures

Viper's bugloss (Echium vulgare)

Ethnobotany

The origins of aspirin

The origins of antimalarial drugs

St John's Wort (Hypericum spp.)

Natural alternatives to Viagra

Natural treatments for AIDS

A cure for certain cancers

Sustainable development of medicines from plants

References

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Chapter 18 Plant Tissue Culture and the Rise of Plant Biotechnology

Introduction

The development of plant tissue culture media

Components of the medium

Major elements

Minor elements

Carbohydrates

Vitamins

Plant growth regulators

Tissue culture sterility

Types of plant tissue culture

Applications of plant tissue culture

References

Figure legends.

Chapter 19 Remarkable Plants

Introduction

Insect mimicry in the Orchidaceae

The Venus Flytrap

The oldest and biggest plants in the world

Tallest plants

Cycads

Welwitschia mirabilis and Ephedra viridis

The Castor bean plant

Garlic

Theobroma cacao

Wheat and agriculture

References

Figure legends.

Indexp