Structure And Function Of Plants

Plant anatomy and physiology and a broad understanding of basic plant processes are of primary importance to a basic understanding of plant science. These areas serve as the first important building blocks in a variety of fields of study, including botany, plant biology, and horticulture. Structure and Function of Plants will serve as a text aimed at undergraduates in the plant sciences that will provide an accurate overview of complex plant processes as well as details essential to a basic understanding of plant anatomy and physiology. Presented in an engaging style with full-color illustrations, Structure and Function of Plants will appeal to undergraduates, faculty, extension faculty, and members of Master Gardener programs.

For centuries biologists have been extremely interested in the structure of desert plants as examples of natural selection to harsh environmental conditions. Indeed, desert plants are frequently used as examples in many biology classes and textbooks to illustrate natural selection, but this has led to an unfortunate litany of errors and misconceptions about desert plant adaptations. This new synthesis focuses on plants of lowland tropical and subtropical arid deserts. Readers will be surprised to discover that many features commonly ascribed to desert plants are rareley observed in the most common species. Instead, the typical structural adaptations of nonsucculent warm desert plants are now viewed as ways to maximize photosynthetic rate.

Originally published in 1993, and long out-of-print, this book has become a classic. The book covers the developmental anatomy of large, complex plants, particularly of perennial shrubs and trees that grow and survive for decades and centuries. The book is focused on the meaning of that anatomy, the integrated structure, as a determinant of effective function. A pervading theme is that the plant structures that have "survived" evolution within the larger context of geologic and climatic evolution are well attuned to biochemical and biophysical principles that determine and define efficient function. This book is intended for those who have already studied the anatomy and development of plants. It is addressed to advanced students, teachers and researchers in the broad, interrelated fields of botany, forestry, horticulture and agronomy, and to others having professional interests in the culture of woody plants and the stewardship of ecosystems. It is especially addressed to those who, by study and research, seek to narrow the wide gap between the cellular and molecular biology approaches to understanding the format and content of inherited information, and the actual morphogenesis and integrated functioning of higher plant organisms. The book is focused on vegetative growth and development. Limitations of space precluded a treatment of reproductive development and of morphogenesis in fruits and seeds. The authors, however, have included a chapter on embryogeny as the beginning of development of the individual higher plant organism. "Plant Structure: Function and Development, first published in 1993, remained in print for such a short time that many of us missed the opportunity to purchase a copy (I have been working with a tattered photocopy for the past 7 years). The authors note in the preface that "complex plants, particularly woody plants . . . have survived eons of organismal evolution" and as such "are well attuned to biochemical and biophysical principles that determine and define efficient function." Too often plant anatomy has been treated in isolation from its' all-important functional significance. The authors of this book provide a welcome and well-developed bridge between structure and physiology, as well as providing the developmental aspects critical to a complete understanding. Not only does the book provide valuable insights for biologists studying extant plants (including applied areas of horticulture, agronomy and forest biology), but it is also, in my view, a valuable resource for paleobotanists, particularly those interested the rapidly growing area of paleo-ecophysiology. Often woody plants are given only cursory attention in plant structure texts, but not so here. Both Romberger and Hejnowicz spent their professional careers studying woody plants, and their insights are critical to the success of this treatise. Although the book is primarily a very turgid reference source, it could also serve as a text for advanced undergraduate or graduate courses - and then would become a valuable library addition for those students." Richard Jagels Professor of Forest Biology University of Maine

Plant anatomy is the study of the internal structure of plants. It often involves sectioning of tissues and microscopy, to study plants at the cellular level. Plant anatomy is divided into structural categories such as root anatomy, stem anatomy, wood anatomy, leaf anatomy, fruit/seed anatomy and flower anatomy. The study of the external structure and physical form of plants is known as plant morphology. It is useful in the visual identification of plants. Plant morphology studies the reproductive and vegetative structures of plants. It examines the pattern of development along with the process by which structures originate and mature when a plant grows. This book includes some of the vital pieces of work being conducted across the world, on various topics related to plant anatomy and morphology. It strives to provide a fair idea about these disciplines and to help develop a better understanding of the latest advances within these fields. The extensive content of this book provides the readers with a thorough understanding of the subject.

Each volume contains chapters from the 1-volume version of the 10th ed. plus the appendices.