Botany, plant science(s), phytology, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Botany covers a wide range of scientific disciplines concerned with the study of plants, algae and fungi, including structure, growth, reproduction, metabolism, development, diseases, chemical properties, and evolutionary relationships between taxonomic groups. Botany began with early human efforts to identify edible, medicinal and poisonous plants, making it one of the oldest sciences. Today botanists study over 550,000 species of living organisms.
As with other life forms in biology, plant life can be studied from different perspectives, from the molecular, genetic and biochemical level through organelles, cells, tissues, organs, individuals, plant populations, and communities of plants. At each of these levels a botanist might be concerned with the classification (taxonomy), structure (anatomy and morphology), or function (physiology) of plant life.
Historically all living things were grouped as animals or plants, and botany covered all organisms not considered animals. Some organisms once included in the field of botany are no longer considered to belong to the plant kingdom – these include fungi (studied in mycology), lichens (lichenology), bacteria (bacteriology), viruses (virology) and single-celled algae, which are now grouped as part of the Protista. However, attention is still given to these groups by botanists, and fungi, lichens, bacteria and photosynthetic protists are usually covered in introductory botany courses.
The study of plants is vital because they are a fundamental part of life on Earth, which generates the oxygen, food, fibres, fuel and medicine that allow humans and other life forms to exist. Through photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that in large amounts can affect global climate. Additionally, they prevent soil erosion and are influential in the water cycle. A good understanding of plants is crucial to the future of human societies as it allows us to:
* Produce food to feed an expanding population
* Understand fundamental life processes
* Produce medicine and materials to treat diseases and other ailments
* Understand environmental changes more clearly
Paleobotanists study ancient plants in the fossil record. It is believed that early in the Earth's history, the evolution of photosynthetic plants altered the global atmosphere of the earth, changing the ancient atmosphere by oxidation.
Human nutrition
Nearly all the food we eat comes (directly and indirectly) from plants like this American long grain rice
Virtually all foods eaten come from plants, either directly from staple foods and other fruit and vegetables, or indirectly through livestock or other animals, which rely on plants for their nutrition. Plants are the fundamental base of nearly all food chains because they use the energy from the sun and nutrients from the soil and atmosphere, converting them into a form that can be consumed and utilized by animals; this is what ecologists call the first trophic level. Botanists also study how plants produce food we can eat and how to increase yields and therefore their work is important in mankind's ability to feed the world and provide food security for future generations, for example, through plant breeding. Botanists also study weeds, plants which are considered to be a nuisance in a particular location. Weeds are a considerable problem in agriculture, and botany provides some of the basic science used to understand how to minimize 'weed' impact in agriculture and native ecosystems. Ethnobotany is the study of the relationships between plants and people.
Fundamental life processes
Plants are convenient organisms in which fundamental life processes (like cell division and protein synthesis) can be studied, without the ethical dilemmas of studying animals or humans. The genetic laws of inheritance were discovered in this way by Gregor Mendel, who was studying the way pea shape is inherited. What Mendel learned from studying plants has had far reaching benefits outside of botany. Additionally, Barbara McClintock discovered 'jumping genes' by studying maize. These are a few examples that demonstrate how botanical research has an ongoing relevance to the understanding of fundamental
biological processes.
Medicine and materials
Many medicinal and recreational drugs, like tetrahydrocannabinol, caffeine, and nicotine come directly from the plant kingdom. Others are simple derivatives of botanical natural products; for example, aspirin is based on the pain killer salicylic acid which originally came from the bark of willow trees. As well, the narcotic analgesics such as morphine are derived from the opium poppy. There may be many novel cures for diseases provided by plants, waiting to be discovered. Popular stimulants like coffee, chocolate, tobacco, and tea also come from plants. Most alcoholic beverages come from fermenting plants such as barley (beer), rice (sake) and grapes (wine).
Plants also provide us with many natural materials, such as hemp, cotton, wood, paper, linen, vegetable oils, some types of rope, and rubber. The production of silk would not be possible without the cultivation of the mulberry plant. Sugarcane, rapeseed, soy and other plants with a highly fermentable sugar or oil content have recently been put to use as sources of biofuels, which are important alternatives to fossil fuels (see biodiesel).
Environmental changes
Plants can also help us understand changes in on our environment in many ways.
* Understanding habitat destruction and species extinction is dependent on an accurate and complete catalog of plant systematics and taxonomy.
* Plant responses to ultraviolet radiation can help us monitor problems like ozone depletion.
* Analyzing pollen deposited by plants thousands or millions of years ago can help scientists to reconstruct past climates and predict future ones, an essential part of climate change research.
* Recording and analyzing the timing of plant life cycles are important parts of phenology used in climate-change research.
* Lichens, which are sensitive to atmospheric conditions, have been extensively used as pollution indicators.
In many different ways, plants can act a little like the 'miners' canary', an early warning system alerting us to important changes in our environment. In addition to these practical and scientific reasons, plants are extremely valuable as recreation for millions of people who enjoy gardening, horticultural and culinary uses of plants every day.
Qualities preferred for people specializing in botany
* You should enjoy working with plants.
* You should not be allergic to plants and chemicals.
* You should possess analytical skills and implement it in problem solving.
* You should possess the skill to handle delicate laboratory equipments.
* You should be willing to spend long hours in the greenhouse and outside.
* You should be ready to travel far and wide to collect plant specimens.
* You should be willing to work in a team. Scope and importance of botany
Specialization areas in the field of botany
Plant biology specialties
Anatomy: Study of microscopic structures of cells and tissues.
Cytology: Study of structure, function, and life history of plant cells.
Genetics: Study of plant heredity and variation, plant geneticists study genes and gene function of plants.
Biochemistry: Study of chemical aspects of plant life processes, the study also covers the chemical products of plants.
Morphology: Study of macroscopic plant forms, study includes evolution and development of roots, leaves and stems.
Molecular biology: Study of structure and function of biological macromolecules including molecular and biochemical aspects of genetics.
Ecology: Study of relationship between plants and the world both as individuals and as communities.
Biophysics: Study of application of physics to plant life process.
System ecology: Study of concepts like nutrient cycling using mathematical models.
Physiology: Study of functions and important processes of plants. E.g. mineral nutrition, photosynthesis
Taxonomy: Study of identifying, classifying and naming plants.
Paleobotany: Study of biology and evolution of fossil plants.
Systematics: Study of evolutionary history and relationships among plants.
Applied plant
Food science and technology: Study of development of food from various plants.
Plant pathology: Study of diseases in plants.
Forestry: Study of conservation of forests and forest management.
Biotechnology: Study of utilizing biological organisms to produce useful products.
Breeding: Study involving production of better types of plants.
Horticulture: Study of production of vegetables, fruits and ornamental plants.
Agronomy: Study of the soil and crops.
Natural resource management: Studying the use of natural resources and its protection.
Economic botany: Study of plants that are economically important.
Career in Botany - Other specialties
Education: Qualifying to teach in schools, colleges, botanical gardens and museum about plant science.
History: Study of development of botany as a scientific discipline.
Exploration: Seeking out new and undiscovered plants.
Job opportunities in the field of botany
Fresh graduates can gain entry level jobs while a little experience in the field can help them secure management or research opportunities. Plant science has various specialties and career opportunities to offer. The diversity of specialties in botany has provided satisfying careers in the field for people from different backgrounds, interest, and skills. Botany offers equal opportunity to both men and women when compared to any other scientific field.
Outdoor jobs
* Ecologist
* Plant explorer
* Park ranger/Forester
* Nursery manager
* Conservationist
* Taxonomist
* Horticulturist
A person with mathematics background
* Systems ecology
* Biophysics
* Genetics
* Developmental botany
A person with chemistry background
* Plant biochemist
* Chemo taxonomist
* Plant physiologist
* Molecular biologist
* Plant pathologist
Other related job options
* Environmental consultant
* Botanist
* High school botany teacher
* Farming consultant
* Researcher
* Teacher/professor
Career opportunities for botanists
The requirement for botanists and people educated in related fields is growing. Botanists can find prospective jobs with:
* Ecological consulting companies
* USDA branches and US Forest Service
* Federal Agencies
* Colleges, Universities and Plant Research Centers
* Pharmaceutical, food, seed and nursery, fruit growers, biological supply houses and biotechnology firms
* Museums
* Marine/freshwater biologist
* Biological photographer
* US Forest Service employee
* State Park naturalist, college campus grounds administrator, environmental impact specialist, Greenhouse technician
* Agricultural Research Service
* Botanical gardens and arboretums, such as the National Arboretum
* Petrochemical, chemical, and lumber and paper industries
* Environmental and biotechnical regulatory agencies
* National Park Service Employee
* National forestry or conservation expert
* Science columnist
* Landscape management and design
* Consultant, botanist, horticulturist, ecologist, plant specialist
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