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Stern’s Introductory
Biology
Published by McGraw-Hill, a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, NY 10020. Copyright © 2018 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America. Previous editions © 2014, 2011, and 2008. No part of this publication
may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system,
without the prior written consent of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., including, but not limited to,
in any network or other electronic storage or transmission, or broadcast for distance learning.
Some ancillaries, including electronic and print components, may not be available to customers outside
the United States.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 LWI 21 20 19 18 17
ISBN 978-1-259-68274-2
MHID 1-259-68274-9
All credits appearing on page or at the end of the book are considered to be an extension of the
copyright page.
www.mhhe.com
Contents in Brief
Glossary G1
Index I1
iii
Contents
3 Cells 29
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 83
ADDITIONAL READING 84
LEARNING ONLINE 84
Overview 30
Learning Outcomes 30
Cells 30 6 Stems 85
Eukaryotic versus Prokaryotic Cells 33 Overview 86
Cell Structure and Communication 33 Learning Outcomes 86
Cellular Components 36 External Form of a Woody Twig 86
Cellular Reproduction 44 Origin and Development of Stems 87
Microscapes 48 KEY THEME: ecology Standing in Fields of
Higher Plant Cells versus Animal Cells 50 Stone 88
SUMMARY 51
Tissue Patterns in Stems 90
REVIEW QUESTIONS 52
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 52
KEY THEME: ecology Dendroclimatology 92
ADDITIONAL READING 52 Specialized Stems 97
LEARNING ONLINE 52 Wood and Its Uses 99
iv
Contents v
7 Leaves 104
ADDITIONAL READING 163
LEARNING ONLINE 163
Overview 105
Learning Outcomes 105
Leaf Arrangements and Types 106 10 Plant Metabolism 164
Internal Structure of Leaves 107 Overview 165
Stomata 108 Learning Outcomes 165
Mesophyll and Veins 110 Enzymes and Energy Transfer 166
Specialized Leaves 111 Photosynthesis 166
KEY THEME: ecology More on Leaf Structure 112 Photosynthesis and Pizza 176
Autumnal Changes in Leaf Color 119 Respiration 180
Abscission 120 Additional Metabolic Pathways 185
Human and Ecological Relevance of Assimilation and Digestion 186
Leaves 121 SUMMARY 187
Glass Cuts from Grass? 122 KEY THEME: ecology Photosynthesis, Global
SUMMARY 122 Warming, and Tropical Rain Forests 188
REVIEW QUESTIONS 123 REVIEW QUESTIONS 190
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 123 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 190
ADDITIONAL READING 123 ADDITIONAL READING 190
LEARNING ONLINE 123 LEARNING ONLINE 190
Overview 148
Learning Outcomes 148
Molecular Movement 149
12 Meiosis and Alternation
Measuring Water Potential and
of Generations 216
Psychrometry 151 Overview 217
Water and Its Movement through the Plant 153 Learning Outcomes 217
Regulation of Transpiration 156 The Phases of Meiosis 218
vi Contents
KEY THEME: evolution Why Plants Have Sex Charles Darwin 273
Lives 219 Evidence for Evolution 274
Alternation of Generations 221 Microevolution—Evolution within
KEY THEME: molecular FISH and GISH Molecular Species 275
Techniques 223 Rates of Evolution 276
SUMMARY 223 Macroevolution—How Species Evolve 276
REVIEW QUESTIONS 224
The Role of Polyploidy in Evolution 278
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 224
ADDITIONAL READING 224
Discussion 279
LEARNING ONLINE 224 KEY THEME: evolution Our Daily Bread 280
SUMMARY 280
15 Evolution 268
Prokaryotes 305
Class Cyanobacteriae—the Cyanobacteria
Overview 269 (Blue-Green Bacteria) 311
Learning Outcomes 269 KEY THEME: ecology Cyanobacteria and Algae
An Introduction to Evolution 269 Blooms 314
A Brief Overview of the Early Development Class Prochlorobacteriae—the
of Evolutionary Concepts 271 Prochlorobacteria 315
Contents vii
Plants and algae are essential for life on earth as it exists today. aspects and other information of general interest pertaining to
They provide our world with oxygen and food, contribute an 16 major plant families or groups of families. Chapters 25 and
essential part of water and nutrient cycling in ecosystems, pro- 26 present an overview of the vast topic of ecology, although
vide clothing and shelter, and add beauty to our environment. ecological topics and applied botany are included in the pre-
Some scientists believe that if photosynthetic organisms exist ceding chapters as well. Some of these topics are broached in
on planets beyond our solar system, it would be possible to anecdotes that introduce the chapters, while others are men-
sustain other forms of life that depend upon them to survive. tioned in text boxes as well as the appendices.
Botany today plays a special role in many interests of
both major and nonmajor students. For example, in this
text, topics such as global warming, ozone layer depletion,
Learning Aids
acid rain, genetic engineering, organic gardening, Native A chapter outline, review questions, discussion questions,
American and pioneer uses of plants, pollution and recy- and additional reading lists are provided for each chapter.
cling, house plants, backyard vegetable gardening, natural New terms are defined as they are introduced, and those that
dye plants, poisonous and hallucinogenic plants, nutritional are boldfaced are included, with their pronunciation, in a
values of edible plants, and many other topics are discussed. glossary. A list of the scientific names of all organisms men-
To intelligently pursue such topics, one needs to understand tioned throughout the text is given in Appendix 1. Appendix
how plants are constructed, and how they function. To this 2 deals with biological controls and companion planting.
end, the text assumes little prior knowledge of the sciences Appendix 3 includes wild edible plants, poisonous plants,
on the part of the student, but covers basic botany, without medicinal plants, hallucinogenic plants, spices, tropical
excessively resorting to technical terms. The coverage, how- fruits, and natural dye plants. Appendix 4 gives horticultural
ever, includes sufficient depth to prepare students to go fur- information on house plants, along with brief discussions on
ther in the field, should they choose to do so. how to cultivate vegetables. Nutritional values of the veg-
The text is arranged so that certain sections can be etables are included. Appendix 5 covers metric equivalents
omitted in shorter courses. Such sections may include top- and conversion tables.
ics such as soils, molecular genetics, and phylum Bryophyta.
Because botany instructors vary greatly in their opinions
about the depth of coverage needed for photosynthesis and
respiration in an introductory botany course open to both
New to this Edition
majors and nonmajors, these topics are presented at three The fourteenth edition is an exciting one, with dozens of new/
different levels. Some instructors will find one or two levels replacement photographs and updates in the text to make it
sufficient, whereas others will want to include all three. a modern textbook with great new topics. Most of the major
Both majors in botany and nonmajors who may initially changes in the book have been made as a result of new dis-
be disinterested in the subject matter of a required course fre- coveries and technologies in plant biology. This edition still
quently become engrossed if the material is related repeatedly retains the hallmark style and pedagogy that make it one of
to their popular interests. This is reflected, as intimated above, the most enduring and popular introductory plant biology
in the considerable amount of ecology and ethnobotany books on the market, and it now has a more contemporary
included with traditional botany throughout the book. look and presentation style. All chapters incorporate mea-
surable learning outcomes and updated additional readings.
Organization of the Text For instructors using Internet resources such as Connect and
the textbook website offered by McGraw-Hill, all learning
A relatively conventional sequence of botanical subjects is outcomes are directly tied to assessment within the ques-
followed. Chapters 1 and 2 cover introductory and background tion and test banks. With encouragement from reviewers,
information; Chapters 3 through 11 deal with structure and the new material has been eloquently incorporated directly
function; Chapters 12 and 13 introduce meiosis, genetics, and into the textbook narrative and as text boxes, to provide a
molecular biology. Chapter 14 discusses plant propagation blend of historically important principles as well as modern
and biotechnology; Chapter 15 introduces evolution; Chapter developments in plant biology. Some of the more interesting
16 deals with classification; Chapters 17 through 23 stress, in components that make this fourteenth edition more accurate
phylogenetic sequence, the diversity of organisms traditionally and up-to-date with our current understanding of plant biol-
regarded as plants; and Chapter 24 deals with ethnobotanical ogy include:
x
Preface xi
Chapter 1 (What Is Plant Biology?): The scientific Chapter 17 (Domain (Kingdom) Bacteria, Domain
method section has been extensively revised. The Plant (Kingdom) Archaea, and Viruses): Some of the information
Biology and the Internet text box has been updated with on human diseases (such as AIDS and tuberculosis), as well
information about how the Internet has affected the scien- as human uses of archaebacteria (such as methane produc-
tific community. tion) has been updated. Additionally, a text box on cyano-
Chapter 2 (The Nature of Life): New examples have bacteria and algae blooms has been added to the chapter to
been added and text has been updated and revised for clarity. show the huge impact algae can have on ecosystems.
Chapter 3 (Cells): Several photographs have been Chapter 18 (Kingdom Protista): Two important and
replaced with higher-quality images. innovative text boxes have been added to this chapter—one
Chapter 4 (Tissues): The introduction has been rewrit- on green plant phylogeny and another on biofuels made
ten in language relevant to today’s college students. A flow- from algae. The text box on green plant phylogeny, in partic-
chart has been added to show how meristems give rise to ular, is an exciting new topic presented to introduce readers
tissues. Trichomes have been defined and added to the index. to the new approaches being used in taxonomy using DNA
Chapter 5 (Roots and Soils): The soil profile caption technology. Other modifications have also been made to this
has been enhanced. chapter to focus on the basic differences among life cycles
Chapter 6 (Stems): The caption for the cover image has and how these can be used to describe and distinguish
been expanded. among the algae phyla.
Chapter 7 (Leaves): Some discussion on incorporation Chapter 19 (Kingdom Fungi): More direct language
of plant pigments in photovoltaic cells has been added to the was incorporated into this chapter to make concepts easier
introduction. to understand. A great new picture of a puffball was also
Chapter 8 (Flowers, Fruits, and Seeds): The role of res- added to the chapter.
piration in seed germination is described in more detail. Chapter 20 (Introduction to the Plant Kingdom:
Chapter 9 (Water in Plants): The description of active Bryophytes): Antheridiophores and archegoniophores have
transport has been revised. been more accurately described and pointed out in one of
Chapter 10 (Plant Metabolism): A more straightforward the figures. Additionally, the important feature of hornworts
introduction is provided at the beginning of the chapter. having stomata has been added to the section on Phylum
Chapter 11 (Growth and Development): The distinction Anthocerophyta.
between determinate and indeterminate growth has been Chapter 21 (The Seedless Vascular Plants: Ferns and
clarified. The caption for the photograph on photoperiodism Their Relatives): The concept that seedless vascular plants
has been expanded. are sporophyte dominant, and the spores produced germi-
Chapter 12 (Meiosis and Alternation of Generations): nate into a free-living gametophye generation, is empha-
The introduction has been re-written to describe the conse- sized at the beginning of the chapter. More direct language
quences of meiosis and how it results in variability when farm- was also incorporated into this chapter to make it more
ers save seeds from hybrid crops. The distinction between x straightforward.
(ploidy) and n (gametophyte versus sporophyte generation) Chapter 22 (Introduction to Seed Plants: Gymnosperms):
has been clarified. The idea that the sporophyte becomes The phrase “common ancestor” is introduced in this chapter
more dominant in advanced plant lineages is introduced. to convey the more modern approach to plant classification
Chapter 13 (Genetics and Molecular Biology): The using DNA technology. New information is also presented
description of a DNA molecule has been enhanced. The on the production of paclitaxel (also known by its trade
description of 2n gametes has been expanded. The role of name Taxol) from new lines (derived from tissue culture) of
the monohybrid cross in illustrating the law of segregation yew trees.
is discussed. A section has been added to describe genetic Chapter 23 (Seed Plants: Angiosperms): More direct
engineering technologies to develop herbicide-resistant language was incorporated into this chapter to make it more
plants. straightforward and easier to understand.
Chapter 14 (Plant Breeding, Propagation, and Chapter 26 (Biomes): Some of the climatological data
Biotechnology): A new text box on “genome editing,” as a and specific information about biomes have been updated.
clever method for recombinant DNA technology with end- Appendix 2 (Biological Controls): The introduction has
less possibilities, has been added to the chapter. Additional been rewritten to discuss the consequences of improper use
updates on transgenic plants and rewording of the text has of pesticides. The section on the use of resistant plant variet-
also been completed to make the content more current. ies has been updated. The section on the control of weeds
Chapter 15 (Evolution): Some strategic rewording of has also been updated.
the text was done to provide a more straightforward presen- Appendix 4 (House Plants and Home Gardening): This
tation of evolutionary concepts. appendix has been extensively updated. New information is
Chapter 16 (Plant Names and Classification): More pre- presented on LED lights, transplanting of seedlings, direct
cise information is presented to show the global estimate of seeding, temperature and seed germination, the effect of
existing species to be about 8.7 million, and some other tact- overwatering on root growth, fertilizer application, pest con-
ful changes were made in the text to bring it up to date. trol, and inoculation of soil with Rhizobia.
Required=Results
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McGraw-Hill Connect®
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study more efficiently, SmartBook contains the
same content within the print book, but actively
tailors that content to the needs of the individual.
SmartBook’s adaptive technology provides precise,
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should do next, guiding the student to master
and remember key concepts, targeting gaps in
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xiv Preface
Dennis F. Ringling, Pennsylvania College of Technology Rani Vajravelu, University of Central Florida
Daryl Ritter, Okaloosa-Walton Community College John Vanderploeg, Ferris State University
Suzanne M. D. Rogers, Salem International University Staria Vanderpool, Arkansas State University
Wayne C. Rosing, Middle Tennessee State University Delmar Vander Zee, Dordt College
Robert G. Ross, University of Puerto Rico C. Gerald Van Dyke, North Carolina State University
Jimmy Rozell, Tyler Junior College Leon Walker, University of Findlay
Manfred Ruddat, University of Chicago Ami Lea Wangeline, Colorado State University
Patricia Rugaber, Coastal Georgia Community Betty J. Washington, Albany State University
College Edgar E. Webber, Keuka College
Frances Rundlett, Georgia State University Christopher R. Wenzel, Eastern Wyoming College
Thomas H. Russ, Charles County Community College Cherie Wetzel, City College of San Francisco
Dennis J. Russell, University of Alaska Southeast Ingelia White, Windward Community College
C. L. Sagers, University of Arkansas Donald L. Williams, Sterling College
A. Edwards Salgado, Christian Brothers University Justin K. Williams, Sam Houston State University
Thomas Sasek, Northeast Louisiana University Marvin Williams, University of Nebraska–Kearney
Michael A. Savka, University of West Florida Dwina W. Willis, Freed-Hardeman University
Neil W. Sawyer, University of Wisconsin–Whitewater James A. Winsor, The Pennsylvania State University
Neil Schanker, College of the Siskiyous Chris Wolverton, Ohio Wesleyan University
Renee M. Schloupt, Delaware Valley College Kathleen Wood, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Bruce S. Serlin, DePauw University Richard J. Wright, Valencia Community College
Barbara Greene Shipes, Hampton University Todd Christian Yetter, Cumberland College
Richard H. Shippee, Vincennes University Brenda Young, Daemen College
Brian R. Shmaefsky, Kingwood College Rebecca Zamora, South Plains College
Shaukat M. Siddiqi, Virginia State University
Dilbagh Singh, Blackburn College
Del William Smith, Modesto Junior College Teaching and Learning
Supplements
James Smith, Boise State University
Joanna M. K. Smith
Steven Smith, University of Arizona
Nancy Smith-Huerta, Miami University Stern’s Introductory Plant Biology
F. Lee St. John, Ohio State University–Newark Lab Manual, 14th Edition by James
Spencer S. Stober, Alvernia College
Marshall D. Sundberg, Emporia State University Bidlack
Eric Sundell, University of Arkansas–Monticello
(ISBN: 9781260030143
Stan R. Szarek, Arizona State University
MHID: 1260030148)
Mesfin Tadesse, Ohio State University
Max R. Terman, Tabor College The laboratory manual that accompanies Stern’s Introductory
R. Dale Thomas, Northeast Louisiana University Plant Biology has been revised and updated. It is written for
Stephen L. Timme, Pittsburgh State University the student who is entering the study of botany. The exer-
Richard E. Trout, Oklahoma City Community College cises utilize plants to introduce biological principles and the
Jun Tsuji, Sienna Heights College scientific method. They are written to allow for maximum
Gordon E. Uno, University of Oklahoma flexibility in sequencing.
C H A P T E R
Overview
Learning Outcomes
The Relationship of Humans to Their
Environment
ECOLOGY: Who Needs Plants?
Human and Animal Dependence on Plants
Botany as a Science
Hypotheses
Diversification of Plant Study
GENERAL: Plant Biology on the Internet
SUMMARY
REVIEW QUESTIONS
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
ADDITIONAL READING
LEARNING ONLINE
This chapter introduces you to botany: what it is, how it developed, how it relates to our everyday lives, and its potential for the future. The
discussion includes a brief introduction to some common questions about plants and their functions, an examination of the scientific method,
and a brief look at botany after the invention of the microscope. It concludes with a brief survey of the major disciplines within the field of
botany.
Learning Outcomes
1. Explain how humans have impacted their environment, 3. Explain how and why all life is dependent on green
particularly during the past century. organisms.
2. Describe how hypotheses are formulated and used in the 4. List the aspects of botany with which each of the major
scientific method. botanical disciplines is concerned.
W
hile in high school in southern Africa, the famous
botanist, Kingsley Stern, was invited to a friend’s
farm during spring break. One particular day,
Kingsley was returning to the farmhouse from a walk around
the farm, and heard groaning coming from inside. He
learned that his friend’s father had been clearing cactus-
like Euphorbia plants from some land. The plants produce
a poisonous, milky latex, which the father had taken great
care to wash thoroughly from his hands. Absentmindedly,
however, the man had splashed some of the water in his
face, and traces of the poison had gotten into his eyes, caus-
ing great pain. Another family member immediately ran to
the nearby barn and obtained some colostrum milk from a
cow that had just given birth. The man’s eyes were bathed
in the milk, which contains an antidote for that poison, and
the pain subsided. Kingsley was told that if the milk had
not been quickly available, the man would have been blind
within half an hour. In Venezuela and Brazil, however, cow
trees (e.g., Brosimum utile; Mimusops huberi) produce a
sweet, nutritive latex that is relished by the natives of the
region. Still other plants such as opium poppies produce
latex that contains narcotic and medicinal drugs (Fig. 1.1).
Why do plants such as Euphorbia species produce poisons,
while parts of so many other plants are perfectly edible, and
some produce spices, medicines, and a myriad of products
useful to humans?
In the popular story “Little Shop of Horrors,” Audrey II
is a plant that thrives on human blood. While this scenario
makes for an interesting piece of dark comedy, there are
plants that feed on insects and occasionally frogs, rodents,
and birds (Fig. 1.2). What do these plants gain from their car-
nivorous diet? Figure 1.1 Immature opium poppy capsules that were gashed with
Occasionally we hear or read of experiments—often a razor blade. Note the opium-containing latex oozing from the gashes.
© mafoto/Getty Images RF
associated with school science fairs—that suggest plants
respond in some positive way to music or soothing talk; con-
versely, some plants are said to grow poorly when they are more feet). When these giant trees are cut down, there is no
harshly yelled at. Do plants really respond to their surround- evidence of pumps of any kind within them. How, then, does
ings, and, if so, how and to what extent? water get from the roots below ground to the tops of these and
California’s huge coastal redwoods and Tasmania’s giant other trees? Do they have to expend large amounts of energy
gum trees can grow to heights of 90 or more meters (300 or to carry water such long distances (Fig. 1.3)?
2
What Is Plant Biology? 3
Figure 1.2 Pitcher plants. Pitcher plants are carnivorous plants Figure 1.3 California coastal redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens).
that grow in nutrient-poor environments. Small insects trapped in Coastal redwoods may grow for thousands of years and some reach
their pitchers are digested and used as a source of minerals. © 2009 heights of nearly 100 meters (330 feet). © Kingsley Stern
Pia Liikala/Getty Images
Our tropical rain forests, which once covered 14% of green organisms have the exclusive capacity to produce oxy-
the earth’s land surface, now occupy only 6% of land area. gen while converting the sun’s energy into forms vital to the
They are disappearing at the rate of several acres a minute existence of both plant and animal life. At the same time,
as the plant life is cleared for agriculture, wood supplies plants remove the large amounts of carbon dioxide given
(primarily for fuel), cattle ranching, and other human off by all living organisms as they respire. In other words,
activities such as mining for gold. Experts estimate that virtually all living organisms are totally dependent on green
all rain forests may be destroyed within 40 years. Rain organisms for their existence. If some major disease were to
forests are home to 50% of all the species of living kill off all or most of the green organisms on land and in the
organisms; it is estimated that 137 species are destroyed oceans and lakes, all the animals on land, in the sea, and in
every day due to rain-forest deforestation. What will be the air would soon starve. Even if some alternative source
the long-term impacts of these activities, and can they be of energy were available, animal life would suffocate within
reversed? 11 years—the time estimated for all the earth’s oxygen to
There is no doubt that our climate is changing. There is be completely used up if it were not replaced. Just how do
much debate, though, about the effects that global warming green plants capture the sun’s energy, use carbon dioxide,
will have on life as we know it. Are those who proclaim that and give off oxygen?
global warming will eventually have disastrous effects on This book tries to answer these and other questions about
modern civilization and living organisms simply exaggerat- living organisms—particularly those pertaining to plants, algae,
ing, or is there a scientific basis for the claims? Plant life fungi, and bacteria. Moreover, additional information about
constitutes more than 98% of the total biomass (collective plant biology related to future societies, conservation, and
dry weight of living organisms) of the earth. Plants and other human benefits is discussed.
4 Chapter 1
KEY THEME : ecology to the soil after each harvest, instead of adding only inorganic
fertilizers. Harvesting of timber and other crops will have to
be done in a manner that prevents topsoil erosion, and the
practice of clearing brush with chemicals will have to be abol-
Who Needs Plants? ished. Industrial pollutants will have to be rendered harmless
and recycled whenever possible.
Many products that now are still largely discarded
(e.g., garbage, paper products, glass, metal cans) will also
have to be recycled on a much larger scale. Biological pest
controls (discussed in Appendix 2) will have to replace
the use of poisonous controls whenever possible. Water
and energy conservation will have to be universally prac-
ticed, and rare plant species, with their largely unknown
gene potential for future crop plants, will need to be saved
from extinction by preservation of their habitats and by
other means. The general public will have to be made even
more aware of the urgency for wise land management and
conservation—which will be especially needed when pres-
sures are exerted by influential forces promoting unwise
measures in the name of “progress”—before additional
large segments of our natural resources are irreparably
damaged or lost forever. Alternatives appear to be nothing
less than death from starvation, respiratory diseases, poi-
soning of our food and drink, and other catastrophic events
that could ensure the premature demise of large segments
of the world’s population.
The Relationship of Humans Scientists and, increasingly, the general public have
become alarmed about the effects of human carelessness
to Their Environment on our environment. Damage to forests and lakes caused
by acid rain, contamination of ground water by nitrates and
It has been estimated that the total human population of the
pesticides, reduction of the ozone shield, major global cli-
world was less than 20 million in 6000 B.C. During the next
matic changes, depletion of aquifers, and loss of biodiversity
7,750 years, it rose to 500 million; by 1850, it had doubled
have gained widespread publicity.
to 1 billion; and 70 years later, it had doubled again to 2 bil-
lion. The 4.48-billion mark was reached in 1980, and within
5 years it had grown to 4.89 billion. In 2011, the human pop- Human and Animal Dependence
ulation size reached a milestone, exceeding 7 billion people.
The earth remains constant in size, but the human popula-
on Plants
tion continues to grow. Our dependence on green organisms to produce the oxy-
In feeding, clothing, and housing ourselves, we have gen in the air we breathe and to remove the carbon dioxide
had a major impact on our environment. We have drained we give off doesn’t stop there. Plants are also the sources
wetlands and cleared natural vegetation from vast areas of of products that are so much a part of human society that
land. California, for example, now has less than 5% of the we largely take them for granted. We know, of course, that
wetland it had 100 years ago. We have dumped wastes and our major crops, wheat, rice, corn, and potatoes, are plants
other pollutants into our waters and added pollutants to the (Fig. 1.4); but all foods, including meat, fish, poultry, eggs,
atmosphere. We have killed pests and plant disease organ- cheese, and milk, to mention just a few, owe their existence
isms with poisons. These poisons have also killed natural to plants. Condiments, such as spices (Fig. 1.5), and luxu-
predators and other useful organisms and, in general, have ries, such as perfumes, are produced by plants, as are some
disrupted the delicate balance of nature that existed before dyes, adhesives, digestible surgical stitching fiber, food sta-
humans began degrading their natural surroundings. bilizers, beverages (Fig. 1.6), and emulsifiers.
If we are to survive on this planet beyond the 21st century, Our houses are constructed with lumber from trees, which
there is little question that humans have to stop increasing in also furnish the cellulose for paper, cardboard, and synthetic
numbers, and the many unwise agricultural and industrial fibers. Some of our clothing, camping equipment, bedding,
practices that have accompanied the mushrooming of human curtains, and other textile goods are made from fibers of many
populations must be replaced with practices more in tune with different plant families (Fig. 1.7). Coal is fossilized plant mate-
restoring some ecological balance. Agricultural practices of rial, and oil came from microscopic green organisms or animals
What Is Plant Biology? 5
(a) Figure 1.7 Cotton plants. The white fibers, in which seeds are
embedded, are the source of textiles and fabrics. The seeds are the
source of vegetable oils used in margarine and shortening. After the oils
have been extracted, the remaining “cotton cake” is used for cattle feed.
Courtesy of Derrick Oosterhuis
(b)
At present the idea that humanity may not be able to or incorrect. To be accepted by scientists, the results of any
save itself may seem radical, but there are a few who have experiments designed to test the hypothesis must be repeat-
suggested that it might become necessary in the future to able and capable of being duplicated by others.
emigrate to other planets. Regardless of humanity’s future, A scientific experiment is typically carried out with
it is essential that our understanding of plants be used to sus- a test group of plants and a control group. The test group
tain life on this and maybe even other planets. Experiments receives the experimental treatment, while the control group
with portable oxygen generators have been in progress for is treated the same in all ways except that it does not receive
many years. Tanks of water teeming with tiny green algae the treatment. For example, if you would like to test the
are taken aboard a spacecraft and installed so that they are effect of light on seed germination, you would divide your
exposed to light for at least part of the time. The algae not seed lot and place some in the light and some in the dark.
only produce oxygen, which the spacecraft inhabitants can All other environmental conditions, such as temperature and
breathe, but also utilize the waste carbon dioxide produced humidity, would be the same for both sets of seeds. If you
by respiration. As the algae multiply, they can be fed to a observe a germination difference between the two sets of
special kind of shrimp, which in turn multiply and become seeds, then it may be due to light.
food for the space travelers. Other wastes are recycled by When a hypothesis is tested, data (bits of information)
different microscopic organisms. When this self-supporting are accumulated and may lead to the formulation of a useful
arrangement, called a closed system, is perfected, the range generalization called a principle. Several related principles
of spacecraft should greatly increase because heavy oxygen may lend themselves to grouping into a theory, which is
tanks will not be necessary, and the amount of food reserves not simply a guess. A theory is a group of generalizations
will be reduced. (principles) that help us understand something. We reject
Today, teams of botanists, anthropologists, and medi- or modify theories only when new principles increase our
cal doctors are interviewing medical practitioners and understanding of a phenomenon. An example of a theory
herbal healers in remote tropical regions and taking notes is the concept of natural selection and evolution. This the-
on various uses of plants by the local inhabitants. These ory describes how the diversity of life on earth came about
scientists are doing so in the hope of preserving at least and provides the foundation for many principles you will
some plants with potential for contributions to modern civi- encounter in this textbook.
lization before disruption of their habitats results in their While the testing of hypotheses is a rigorous, well-
extinction. defined process, the development of hypotheses is not. This
aspect of science is creative because it involves finding new
ways to look at our natural world. Often, the most successful
Botany as a Science scientists are those who can think “outside the box,” inte-
grating observations across fields or organisms to create a
The study of plants, called botany—from three Greek words, hypothesis that explains a complex phenomenon. While sci-
botanikos (botanical), botane (plant or herb), and boskein entific advances are often attributed to luck, there is a grow-
(to feed), and the French word botanique (botanical)— ing body of evidence that the methods used by scientists
appears to have had its origins with Stone Age peoples who actually harness the unexpected to the benefit of science.
tried to modify their surroundings and feed themselves. At When the results of an experiment do not follow predictions,
first, their interest in plants was mostly practical and cen- that experiment will be repeated with extra care and from a
tered around how plants might provide food, fibers, fuel, and new perspective. If the unexpected observation is observed
medicine. Eventually, however, an intellectual interest arose. again, then the scientist must develop a new hypothesis.
Individuals became curious about how plants reproduced
and how they were put together. This inquisitiveness led to
plant study becoming a science, which, broadly defined,
is simply “a search for knowledge of the natural world.”
Diversification of Plant Study
Botanists are scientists who study plants. Plant anatomy, which is concerned chiefly with the inter-
A science is distinguished from other fields of study by nal structure of plants, was established through the efforts
its basis in measurable observations. The scientific method is of several scientific pioneers. Early plant anatomists of note
a series of steps that involves first asking a question, then for- included Marcello Malpighi (1628–1694) of Italy, who dis-
mulating a hypothesis, followed by conducting experiments, covered various tissues in stems and roots, and Nehemiah
and finally developing a theory. Grew (1628–1711) of England, who described the structure of
wood more precisely than any of his predecessors (Fig. 1.10).
Hypotheses Today, knowledge of plant anatomy is used to help us
find clues to the past, as well as for many practical purposes.
A hypothesis is simply a tentative, unproven explanation for For example, the related discipline of dendrochronology
something that has been observed. It may not be the correct deals with determining past climates by examining the width
explanation—testing will determine whether it is correct and other features of tree rings. We can also learn much from
8 Chapter 1
Figure 1.11 Plant ecologists, plant geographers, and other biologists recognize large communities of plants and animals that occur in
areas with distinctive combinations of environmental features. These areas, called biomes, are represented here by the tropical rain forest,
which, although occupying less than 5% of the earth’s surface, is home to more than half of the world’s species of organisms. © Nadezda Zavitaeva/
Shutterstock.com
during the 20th century much of our basic knowledge about components perform and integrate a variety of functions,
the form and life cycles of plants was incorporated into the including that of sexual reproduction. The mid-20th-century
plant sciences as we know them today. During this time, the development of electron microscopes (see Chapter 3) further
number of scientists engaged in investigating plants also spurred cell research and led to vast new insights into cells
greatly increased. and new forms of cell research that continues to the present.
Genetics, the science of heredity, was founded by the Economic botany and ethnobotany, which focus on
Austrian monk Gregor Mendel (1822–1884), who per- practical uses of plants and plant products, had their origin
formed classic experiments with pea plants. Today, vari- in antiquity as humans discovered, used, and eventually cul-
ous branches of genetics include plant breeding, which tivated plants for food, fiber, medicines, and other purposes.
has greatly improved the yields and quality of crop plants, Today there is increased interest in herbal medicines (see
and genetic engineering. Genetic engineering involves the Appendix 3) and many other uses of plants by the general
transfer of genes from one organism to another and has public. Research is being conducted in collaboration with
already improved the pest, frost, and disease resistance indigenous peoples with an eye to discovering new medi-
of some crop plants. Genetic engineering is being used cines and other useful plant products previously unknown in
to develop better agricultural, medicinal, and other use- developed countries.
ful plants. It is also being used to control human, animal, There is still a vast amount of botanical information to
and plant diseases. In recent years, the field of genomics, be discovered. Dozens of research journals publish thou-
which focuses on genes and their function, has burst onto sands of botanical scientific papers every year. In recent
the genetics scene and now impacts nearly all genetics years, open source journals have allowed free online access
research. to research findings for scientists all over the world. While
Cell biology (previously called cytology), the sci- scientists have identified about 2 million species of organ-
ence of cell structure and function, received a boost from isms, the earth likely contains between 5 and 100 million
the discovery of how cells multiply and how their various species.
10 Chapter 1
12 Chapter 1
Johnson, T. 1998. CRC ethnobotany desk reference. Boca Raton, van Wyk, B. 2005. Food plants of the world: An illustrated guide.
FL: CRC Press. Portland, OR: Timber Press.
Minnus, P. E. 2000. Ethnobotany. Norman: University of
Oklahoma Press. LEARNING ONLINE
Pollan, M. 2002. The botany of desire. New York: Random House.
Pollan, M. 2007. The omnivore’s dilemma: A natural history of
four meals. New York: Penguin Group.
Sumner, J. 2004. American household botany: A history of useful Visit our website at http://connect.mheducation.com for additional
plants, 1620–1900. Portland, OR: Timber Press. information and learning tools.
JOS. ALLEINE.
[To his wife.]
My dear heart,
M Y heart
* is now a little at rest to write to thee. I have been these
three days much disturbed. Strong sollicitations I have had
from several hands, to accept very honourable preferment;
but I have not found the invitations to suit with the inclinations of my
own heart, as I was confident they would not with thine. I have sent
away my friends satisfied with the reasons of my refusal, and now
can say, Soul, return unto thy rest. But alas, that such things should
disturb me! I would live above this lower region, that no passages
whatsoever might put me out of frame, or unsettle me from my
desired rest. I would have my heart fixed upon God, so as no
occurrences might disturb my tranquility, but I might be still in the
same quiet and even frame. Well, though I am apt to be unsettled,
yet I am like a bird out of the nest, I am never at quiet till I am in my
old way of communion with God; like the needle in the compass, that
is restless, till it be turned towards the pole.
I can say through grace, with my soul have I desired thee in the
night, and with my spirit within me have I sought thee early; my heart
is early and late with God, ’tis the business and delight of my life to
seek him. But alas, how long shall I spend my days in wishing, when
my glorified brethren spend theirs in enjoying? As the poor
imprisoned captive sighs under his irons, and can only look through
the grate, and long for the liberty which others enjoy: such is my
condition. I can only look through the grate of this prison, my flesh; I
see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, sitting down in the kingdom of
God. But alas, I myself must stand without, longing, praying, waiting,
for what they are enjoying. Happy souls! When shall these fetters of
mine be knocked off? When shall I be set at liberty from this prison
of my body? You are cloathed with glory, when I am cloathed with
dust. I dwell in flesh, in a house of clay, when you dwell with God in a
house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
I must be continually clogged with this cumbersome body, when
you have put on incorruption and immortality. What continual
molestation am I subject to by reason of this flesh? What pains doth
it cost me to keep this earthen vessel from breaking! It must be
exercised; and which is worst of all, cherished with time-devouring
sleep; so that I live but little of the short time I have allotted me here.
But oh blessed souls, you are swallowed up of immortality and life,
your race is run, and you have received your crown. How cautious
must I be to keep me from dangers! How apt am I to be troubled with
the cares and fears of this life, when your souls are taken up with
God and Christ, and ’tis your work to be still contemplating, and
admiring that love that redeemed you from all this. What pains must I
be at to repair the ruinous building of this earthly tabernacle, which
when I have done, I am sure will shortly fall about my ears; when you
are got far above mortality, and are made equal with the angels. Oh!
I groan earnestly to be cloathed upon with my house which is from
heaven, being willing rather to be absent from the body and present
with the Lord! Oh, when shall I come and appear before him? When
shall I receive the purchase of my Saviour, the fruit of my prayers,
the harvest of my labours, the end of my faith, the salvation of my
soul? Alas, what do I here? This is not my resting place, my treasure
is in heaven. Oh when shall I be where my heart is? Wo is me that
dwell in the tents of Kedar! Oh that I had wings like a dove, that I
might fly away and be at rest! Then would I hasten my escape from
the storm and tempest, and be out of the reach of fears,
disturbances, and distractions. How long shall I live at such a
distance from my God, at such a distance from my country? Alas,
how can I sing the Lord’s song in a strange land? No, I will hang my
harp upon the willows, and sit down and weep when I remember
Sion. But yet my flesh shall rest in hope, and I will daily bathe my
soul in the sweet thoughts of my blessed home. I will rejoice in
hopes of what I do not yet enjoy, and content myself with the taste of
what I shall shortly have my fill of.
The Lord grant the request I daily pour out before him, and make
us furtherances to each other’s soul, that we may quicken and
promote and forward one another in his ways! Help me by thy
prayers, as thou dost always. The God of all peace and comfort be
with thee my sweet love! Farewell!
JOS. ALLEINE.
L E T T E R XXVI.
[God is a satisfying Portion.]
H AD not my right hand long since forgot her cunning, and the
Almighty shook the pen out of my hand, I should long e’er this
have written to thee; but it is a wonder of divine power and goodness
that my soul had not before this time dwelt in silence, and that death
had not put the long period to all my writing and converse.
Long is the song of love that I have to tell thee. I rejoice in the
constancy of thy love, that the waters of so long a silence, and so
great a distance have not yet quenched it. But thy desires are
towards me, and thy heart is with me, though providence hath
hindered me from thy much-desired company. I will assure thee it
hath been a pleasure to my heart a good part of this summer, to
hope that I should come one half of the way to give thee a meeting.
But such is my weakness hitherto, that I am forced to put off those
hopes till the spring, when, if God gives me strength to ride, I intend
to see thee before mine own home. I thank thee for all the dear
expressions of thy fervent love: my expences have been vast; but
surely goodness and mercy hath followed me, and do follow me in
every place, and in every change of my condition; so that as to
temporals, I have lack of nothing, and as for spirituals I abound and
superabound, and the streams of my comforts have been full and
running over. The joy of the Lord hath been my strength at the
weakest, and in the multitude of my thoughts within me, his comforts
have refreshed my soul. I have found God a satisfying portion to me,
and have sat under his shadow with full delights, and his fruit is most
sweet to my taste: he is my strength ♦and my song, for I will talk of
him, and write of him with perpetual pleasure. Through grace I can
say, methinks I am now in my element, since I have begun to make
mention of him, I am rich in him and happy in him, and my soul saith
unto him with David, Thou hast made me most blessed for ever
more. Happy is the hour that ever I was born, to be made partaker of
so blissful a treasure, so endless a felicity, such angelical a
prerogative, as I have in him: O how sweet are his converses, how
delightful it is to triumph in his love.
F R I E N D.
L E T T E R XXVII.
Dear Cousin,
These things do, and you shall be sure of a friend in heaven; and,
if I may be any comfort to you, you shall not fail, while I live, to have
one friend on earth to care for you. You are gone far from me, even
to the uttermost parts of the earth: but I have sent these letters to call
after you; yea, not only to call, but to cry in your ears. O what is like
to become of your soul! Where is that immortal soul of yours like to
be lodged for ever? Amongst devils or angels? Upon a bed of
flames, or in the joys of paradise?
Go aside; retire from the noise of the world, and say to yourself,
Oh my soul! Whither art thou going? Do not I know, that I must be
converted or condemned? That I must be sanctified, or I can never
be saved? Oh my soul! What seekest thou? What is my chief care?
Is it for this world, or the world to come? Do I first seek the kingdom
of heaven, and the righteousness thereof? Do I think heaven will
drop into my mouth? That glory and immortality will be got with a wet
finger, with cold prayers, and heartless wishes, while the world has
my heart? Do I think to be crowned, and yet never fight? To gain the
race and never run? To enter at the strait gate, and never strive? To
overcome principalities and powers, and never wrestle? No, no; Oh
my soul, either lay by the hopes of heaven for ever, or rouse up
thyself, put forth thy strength after God and glory. Either lay by thy
worldly hopes, or thy hopes of immortality; away with thy sins, or let
Christ go for ever. Think not to have Christ and the world too, to
serve God and mammon: if thou follow the world, thou must die: the
Lord hath spoken it, and all the world can never reverse it. Thus
reason the case with your own soul, and give not rest to thyself night
nor day, till you are gotten off from the world, broken off from every
known sin, and got safe into Christ.
Dear cousin, I charge you by the Lord, to observe these things.
Pray over them, weep over them, read them again and again; do not
pass them over as slight and ordinary things. Your soul is at stake; it
is your salvation which is concerned in them; think not that I am in
jest with you. I travel in birth with you, till Christ be formed in you.
Why should you die? Oh repent and live, lay hold on eternal life, win
Christ, and you win all. Oh be thankful to the Lord, that now you are
fatherless and friendless, yet you have one remembrancer to warn
you to flee from the wrath to come. God forbid that I should find you
at last in the place of torments, for your not embracing these
counsels. To conclude, I charge you as a minister, as a father, take
heed of these three things:
1. Lest the gain of the world prove the loss of your soul:
JOS. ALLEINE.
L E T T E R XXVIII.
Dear friend,
You see how free I am with you: but I know your candour. I
rejoice in your happy yoke-fellow: salute her from your old friend,
and accept of the unfeigned respects of him who is, Sir,
Worthy Sir,
I can tell you little good of myself: but this I can tell you, that the
promises of God were never so sweet to me, as since my
imprisoned state. It shames me that I have let such a treasure lie by
so long, and have made so little use of it. Never did my soul know
the heaven of a believer’s life, till I learnt to live a life of praise, and
to set home the unspeakable riches of the divine promises, to which,
through grace, I am made an heir. I verily perceive that all our work
were done, if we could but prevail with ourselves and others to live
like believers; to tell all the world by our carriage, that there is such
pleasantness in Christ’s ways, such beauty in holiness, such reward
to obedience, as we profess to believe!
It is but a little while that prisons shall hold us, or that we shall
dwell in dirty flesh. Porphyry tells us of Plotinus, that he was
ashamed to see himself in the body; to see a divine and immortal
soul in a prison of flesh (for so they held the body to be;) but the
worst shackles are those of sin. Well, they must shortly fall off; our
Lord doth not long intend us for this lower region: surely he is gone
to prepare a place for us: yea, and he will come again, and receive
us to himself, that where he is, we may be also. And what have we
to do, but to believe, and wait, and love, and long, and look out for
his coming, in which is all our hope? ’Twill be time enough for us to
be preferred then. We know before hand who shall then be
uppermost. Our Lord hath shewed us where our places shall be,
even at his own right hand; and what he will say to us, Come ye
blessed. Surely we shall stand in his judgment: he hath promised to
stand our friend: let us look for the joyful day: and sure as there is a
God, this day will come, and then it shall go well with us. What if
bonds and banishment abide us for a season? This is nothing but
what our Lord hath told us, The world shall rejoice, but ye shall
lament: ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into
joy. Oh how reviving are his words! I will see you again, and your
heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
Let your true yoke-fellow, and my Christian friends with you, have
my hearty commendation: and these counsels I pray you give them
from me.
1. To habituate themselves, both as to their thoughts and
discourses, more throughly than ever to holiness. Brethren, I would
teach you the lesson that I resolve to learn, that your minds and
tongues may as naturally run upon the things of heaven, as others
on the things of this world. Why should it not be thus? I am sure God
and heaven as well deserve to be thought on, and talked of as froth
and vanity. There are many that have in a great measure learnt this
lesson, and why should not we? What if it be hard at first? Every
thing is so to a beginner. And is not ours a religion of self-denial? If
we do but force ourselves awhile to holy thoughts, and heavenly
discourse, it will grow habitual to us, and then it will be most natural,
familiar, and sweet. O what gainers will you be, if you learn this
lesson?
’Tis the shame of religion, that Christians are so unlike
themselves, unless upon their knees. Our lives and language should
tell the world what we are, and whither we are going. Christians, let
little things content you in the world, but aspire after great things in
the grace of God. Many little think what high degrees of holiness
they may grow up to even in this life with pains and diligence. Sirs,
be you men of great designs: think it not enough if you have
wherewith to bear your charges to heaven; but aspire to be great in
the court of heaven, favourites of the Most High, of tall growth,
singular communion, that you may burn and shine in your place, that
you may savour of heaven wherever you come, and that there may
be an even-spun thread of holiness running through your whole
course. ’Tis our disgrace, that there is so little difference to be seen
in the ordinary conversation of believers and other men. Is it not a
shame, that when we are in company with others, this should be all
the difference that is to be seen, that we will not curse and swear? If
you will honour the gospel, bring forth your religion out of your
closets into your shops, trades, visits, and exemplify the rules of
religion in the management of all your relations, and in your ordinary
converse. Let there be no place or company that you come into, in
which you do not drop something of God; this will be the glory of
religion, and we shall never convince the world ’till we come to this.
May you come, my brethren, out of your prisons with your faces
shining, having your minds seasoned, and your tongues tipt with
holiness! May your mouths be as a well of life, from whence may
flow the holy streams of edifying discourse! May you ever remember,
as you are sitting in your houses, going by the way, lying down,
rising up, what the Lord doth then require of you.
2. To improve their present retirements from the world, for the
settling their spiritual estates. ’Tis a common complaint amongst
Christians, that they want assurance. Oh, if any of you that wanted
assurance when you came to prison, may carry that blessing out,
what happy gainers would you be? Now you are called more than
ever to self-searching. Now bring your graces to the touchstone. Be
much in self observation. Rest not in probable hopes. Think not that
it is enough that you can say, you hope ’tis well. Be restless till you
can say, that you know ’tis well; that you know you are passed from
death to life.
*Think not that this is a privilege that only a few may expect.
Observe but these three things:
JOS. ALLEINE.
M Y heart’s desire and prayer for you is, that you may be saved.
This is that which I have been praying and studying, and
preaching for these many years: and this is the end of my suffering,
and writing at this present time. I seek not other gifts, give me your
hearts, let me but part between your sins and you: suffer me but to
save you; give me leave to carry you over to Jesus Christ, and I will
not ask you any more. I will serve you gladly, I will suffer for you
thankfully, so I may but save you. Do not wonder why I follow you so
pressingly, why I call upon you so frequently; let not my importunity
be grievous to you, all this is but to save you. Christ did not think his
blood, and shall I think my breath too dear in order to your salvation;
what pity is it, that any of you should miscarry at last, under the
power of ignorance, or by a profane negligence, or a formal and
lifeless profession of strict godliness?
Beloved, I am afraid of you, lest (as to many of you) I have run in
vain. I cannot but thankfully acknowledge, that there are not a few of
you who are the joy of your ministers, and the glory of Christ. But it
cannot be dissembled, that far the greater number give little ground
to hope, they are in the state of salvation. And must not this be a
pinching thought to a compassionate teacher, that he cannot
persuade men, but that the most of them will wilfully throw away
themselves? Is it not a woeful sight, to behold the devils driving a
great part of our miserable flocks, (as they did once the herd of
swine) violently down the hill, till they be choaked in the water,
drowned in the gulph of endless perdition? Ah miserable spectacle!
What through the wilful blindness of some, the looseness and
sensuality of others, the halving, and cold, and customary religion of
others, how great a number of our poor flocks, is Satan like to carry
utterly away from us, after all that hath been done to save him?