Introduction to Botany

Introduction to Botany
The scientific study of plants, their structure, function, growth, evolution, and uses.

1. What Is Botany?

• Definition: Branch of biology that focuses on all aspects of plant life.
• Scope: Includes algae, mosses, ferns, conifers, flowering plants, and plant‑like organisms.
• Goal: Understand how plants work, how they interact with the environment, and how they can be applied in agriculture, medicine, industry, and conservation.

2. Major Sub‑disciplines

3. Basic Plant Organization

1. Cell – Plant cells have a rigid cell wall, chloroplasts, central vacuole, and plasmodesmata.
2. Tissue – Groups of similar cells performing a common function (e.g., epidermis, ground tissue, vascular tissue).
3. Organ – Collections of tissues forming roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds.
4. Organ System – Whole plant body; includes underground (root system) and above‑ground (shoot system) components.

4. Life Cycle Overview

5. Photosynthesis – The Core Energy Process

1. Light‑dependent reactions (thylakoid membranes)
   • Capture photons → split water → produce ATP & NADPH.
2. Calvin Cycle (stroma)
   • Use ATP & NADPH to fix CO₂ into triose phosphates → glucose.

Key Equation
[ 6 \text{CO}_2 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{light energy} \rightarrow \text{C}6\text{H}{12}\text{O}_6 + 6 \text{O}_2 ]

6. Plant Hormones (Phytohormones)

| Hormone |