Chapter 35 Overview




In studying the plant kingdom it is appropriate to view the diversity as you have done. The evolution and function of the flower is impressive. But to really appreciate the word ``plant,'' this chapter is essential. In this chapter, you will learn of the diversity of the plant cell types and their arrangement in various parts of different plants. The structure of a plant body is something akin to the structure of a building. The details that must go into the planning of a house are not apparent until one examines a detailed set of house plans. The depth of such planning becomes even more apparent when one tries to create their own set of detailed house plans. Such a view of the plant body is given in this chapter. First, the structural members are defined. Then the specific arrangement of those components in each part of the plant that is necessary to provide support, to convey water and nutrients, and to protect the plant from the elements is described. Once that complexity is understood, you will be confronted by the characteristic that makes plants so different from animals. The growth of an animal zygote to an adult is awesome. Once done, however, the job is pretty-well finished, except to repair damage. The growth of a plant from a zygote is also impressive, but unlike an animal, the job is never done. The plant is so organized that perpetually embryonic tissue is positioned to elongate and thicken the plant and to provide for continual branching, leafing, and flowering. In the light of this chapter, a tree, or for that matter, a weed, takes on new majesty.

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