Basic Concepts to Understand Plants Part 2 - Adaptations, Importance, and Fields of Botany

Flashcards reviewing plant adaptations, ecological categories, DOH-approved medicinal plants, agricultural classifications, and fields of botany from PBOT111.

How many plant species exist today, and through what evolutionary process did this diversity arise?

More than 288,000 plant species exist today, having arisen through evolution by natural selection ("survival of the fittest").

How do aquatic plants save energy and matter in water environments?

They save energy and matter by not growing extensive root systems, vascular tissues, or thick cuticles on leaves.

What key adaptation allows a young saguaro cactus to maximize water intake during rare rainfalls?

Even when only a few inches high, its shallow root system reaches out as much as 2 meters (7 feet) from the base of the stem to gather moisture.

What structural features help the saguaro cactus store water and protect itself?

It has a large, barrel-shaped stem for water storage, lacks leaves to avoid water loss by transpiration, and has thorns to protect its stored water from animals.

What are epiphytes, and how do they obtain water and nutrients?

Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants rather than in soil. They obtain moisture from the air and produce food through photosynthesis.

How are bromeliad leaves modified for water collection?

Bromeliad leaves are rolled into funnel shapes to collect rainwater, forming a tank at the base that can hold more than 8 liters (2 gallons) of water.

Based on the provided diagram of hydrophyte adaptations, what key structural features are highlighted?

Stomata concentrated on the upper epidermis, large air spaces in leaves, flat leaves, and small roots.

How do root systems compare between the hydrophytes Hydrilla and Wolffia?

In Hydrilla, the roots are poorly developed; in Wolffia, the roots are absent.

What adaptations provide buoyancy and support to the water hyacinth (Eichhornia)?

It possesses aerenchyma tissue with air chambers and a swollen, spongy petiole.

What are mesophytes?

Land plants that grow in environments with a moderate supply of water that is neither extremely dry nor extremely wet.

What leaf features help mesophytes control water loss?

A waxy cuticle that traps water and reduces transpiration, and stomata that close during extreme heat and wind.

What are xerophytes and what four adaptive objectives do they fulfill?

Xerophytes are plants adapted to dry habitats (xeric conditions). Their adaptations aim to: 1. Maximize water absorption, 2. Retain water, 3. Minimize transpiration, and 4. Reduce water consumption.

What specialized tissue allows Opuntia and Aloe barbadensis miller (Aloe vera) to store water?

Parenchymatous tissues within their succulent stems and leaves, making them swollen and fleshy.

How do hygrophytes expel excess water when transpiration rate is low?

They expel excess water through special openings called water stomata or hydathodes.

What are halophytes?

Plants that inhabit saline soil containing high concentrations of salts like NaCl, MgCl2, and MgSO4, or saline water.

What specialized root structures enable halophytes to anchor in muddy soil and carry out gas exchange?

Well-developed root systems featuring prop roots, cable roots, buttress roots, or pneumatophores.

What is vivipary in halophytes, and why is it advantageous?

Vivipary refers to viviparous seeds that germinate while still attached to the parent plant, enabling seedlings to survive in harsh saline environments.

What is the scientific name, family, common name, and medicinal use of Akapulko?

Scientific name: Cassia alata; Family: Fabaceae; Common names: "bayabasbayabasan" and "ringworm bush"; Medicinal use: Treatment of ringworms and skin fungal infections.

What is the scientific name, family, English names, and medicinal use of Ampalaya?

Scientific name: Momordica charantia; Family: Cucurbitaceae; English names: "bitter gourd" or "bitter melon"; Medicinal use: Treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

What is the scientific name, family, common name, and medicinal use of Bawang?

Scientific name: Allium sativum; Family: Amaryllidaceae; Common name: "garlic"; Medicinal use: Reduces blood cholesterol and helps control blood pressure.

What is the scientific name, family, and medicinal uses of Bayabas?

Scientific name: Psidium guajava; Family: Myrtaceae; Medicinal uses: Antiseptic to disinfect wounds, and a mouthwash to treat tooth decay and gum infection.

What is the scientific name, family, English name, and medicinal use of Lagundi?

Scientific name: Vitex negundo; Family: Lamiaceae; English name: "Five-leaved chaste tree"; Medicinal use: Relief of coughs and asthma.

What is the scientific name, family, English name, and medicinal use of Niyog-niyogan?

Scientific name: Combretum indicum; Family: Combretaceae; English name: "Chinese honeysuckle"; Medicinal use: Elimination of intestinal worms, particularly Ascaris and Trichina.

What is the scientific name, family, and medicinal use of Sambong?

Scientific name: Blumea camphora; Family: Asteraceae; Medicinal use: Diuretic that helps in the excretion of urinary stones.

What is the scientific name, family, and medicinal uses of Tsaang gubat?

Scientific name: Carmona retusa; Family: Boraginaceae; Medicinal uses: Treats intestinal motility when prepared as tea, and acts as a mouthwash due to high fluoride content.

What is the scientific name, preparation, and medicinal use of Ulasimang bato?

Scientific name: Pepperomia pellucida; Preparation: Eaten fresh as salad or prepared as tea; Medicinal use: Fights arthritis and gout.

What is the scientific name, family, English name, and medicinal use of Yerba buena?

Scientific name: Clinopodium douglasii; Family: Lamiaceae; Common name: Peppermint; Medicinal use: Analgesic to relieve body aches and pain.

How do grains and legumes differ in nutritional characteristics?

Grains (e.g., Oryza sativa, Zea mays) are staple foods rich in energy but low in protein, while legumes (e.g., Glycine max, Pisum sativum) are rich sources of protein.

What are the scientific names for the Philippine legumes Bataw, Kadios, Sigarilyas, and Sitaw?

Bataw: Lablab purpureus; Kadios: Cajanus cajan; Sigarilyas: Psophocarpus tetragonolobus; Sitaw: Vigna unguiculata.

What are the scientific names for the Philippine root crops Singkamas, Ube, and Labanos?

Singkamas: Pachyrhizus erosus; Ube: Dioscorea alata; Labanos: Raphanus sativus.

What are the scientific names for the Philippine fiber plants Abaca, Bulak, and Rami?

Abaca: Musa textilis; Bulak: Gossypium hirsutum; Rami: Boehmeria nivea.

What is Plant Pathology?

The study of organisms and environmental conditions that cause disease in plants, the mechanisms involved, plant-pathogen interactions, and methods of plant disease management.

How does Plant Ecology differ from general Botany?

Plant Ecology focuses specifically on how plants interact with their environment (soils, animal species, landscape) and respond to ecological changes like climate change.

What is the difference between Paleobotany and Archaeobotany?

Paleobotany is the study of extinct or fossilized plants from geological strata, whereas Archaeobotany is the study of plant remains cultivated or used by ancient human societies recovered in archaeological contexts.

What is Forensic Botany?

The application of plant material (such as pollen, seeds, leaves, flowers, fruits, and wood) in legal investigations, criminal cases, disputes, or to ascertain cause of death and location.