PBOT111: Basic Concepts to Understand Plants - Flashcards

A comprehensive set of Q&A flashcards covering diversity and adaptations of plants, ecological plant groups, habitats, medicinal plants, plant uses, and fields of botany from the lecture notes.

Approximately how many plant species exist today and what does this imply about plant adaptations?

There are over 288,000 species; this implies there are many different ways of being fit, i.e., diverse adaptations across plants.

What is a key takeaway about plant adaptations in different habitats?

There is no single perfect adaptation; plants have evolved multiple strategies to survive diverse environments.

What characterizes adaptations to water in aquatic plants?

Aquatic plants save energy and matter by not developing extensive root systems, vascular tissues, or thick leaf cuticles; example: water lilies with bowl-shaped flowers and broad floating leaves.

What are xerophytes and what strategies do they use?

Plants adapted to extremely dry environments that increase water intake, reduce water loss, or store water; example: saguaro cactus with wide root spread and water-storing stem.

What are epiphytes and where do they commonly grow?

Epiphytes grow on other plants and obtain moisture from the air; common in tropical or temperate rainforests (ferns and orchids).

List the five major ecological plant groups.

Hydrophytes, Mesophytes, Xerophytes, Hygrophytes, Halophytes.

What are hydrophytes?

Plants adapted to live submerged or partly submerged in water; often with poorly developed roots and gas exchange primarily by diffusion in water; some have aerenchyma.

Give examples of hydrophytes.

Eichhornia (water hyacinth), Lemna (duckweed), Pistia (water lettuce); submerged/floaters like Hydrilla, Vallisneria, Ceratophyllum; Nelumbo nucifera (sacred lotus); Nymphaea pygmaea (water lilies).

What are mesophytes?

Land plants that grow in moderate moisture (not very wet or very dry); typically have well-developed roots, stems, broad leaves, and cuticle; examples include Narcissus, Rosa, Zea mays, Cocos nucifera, Mangifera indica, Saccharum officinarum, Trifolium repens.

What are xerophytes?

Plants in dry habitats with adaptations to absorb/store water, reduce transpiration, and minimize water use; examples include Calotropis, Opuntia, Aloe vera, Acacia.

What are hygrophytes?

Moist/shade-loving plants with poorly developed root systems; stems soft and spongy; often underground rhizomes; leaves with stomata; low transpiration and water loss via hydathodes.

What are halophytes?

Plants that inhabit saline soils or saline water; adaptations include thick cuticle, sunken stomata, succulent leaves, salt glands, woody stems, specialized roots, and sometimes viviparous seeds.

Which plant type is associated with high temperature and low fresh water availability?

Xerophyte.

What are the DOH-approved medicinal plants mentioned?

Akapulko, Ampalaya, Bawang, Bayabas, Lagundi, Niyog-niyogan, Sambong, Tsaang Gubat, Ulasimang bato, Yerba buena.

What is Akapulko used for?

Cassia alata; used to treat ringworms and skin fungal infections.

What is Ampalaya used for?

Momordica charantia; used to treat diabetes (non-insulin dependent).

What is Bawang used for?

Allium sativum (garlic); reduces cholesterol and helps control blood pressure.

What is Bayabas used for?

Psidium guajava; antiseptic, disinfect wounds; mouthwash to treat tooth decay and gum infection.

What is Lagundi used for?

Vitex negundo; relief of coughs and asthma.

What is Niyog-niyogan used for?

Combretum indicum; elimination of intestinal worms (Ascaris and Trichina).

What is Sambong used for?

Blumea camphora; diuretic; helps excretion of urinary stones.

What is Tsaang gubat used for?

Carmona retusa; prepared like tea; effective in treating intestinal motility and used as mouthwash due to fluoride content.

What is Ulasimang bato (Pepperomia pellucida) used for?

Effective in fighting arthritis and gout; leaves can be eaten fresh or used as tea.

What is Yerba buena used for?

Clinopodium douglasii (peppermint); used as analgesic to relieve body aches and pain.

What are the eight categories of the Importance of Plants to Humans?

Food, Lumber, Fiber, Beverages, Condiments/Spices, Industrial Energy, Masticatories, Treatment for human ailments.

Give examples of grains as a staple food.

Rice (Oryza sativa), Corn (Zea mays), Wheat (Triticum aestivum).

Name some legumes and their common names.

Soybeans (Glycine max); Peas (Pisum sativum); Kidney/Haricot beans (Phaseolus vulgaris); Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan); Peanut (Arachis hypogaea); Winged Bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus); Green Gram (Phaseolus radiatus); Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus); Winged Bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus); Garden Pea (Pisum sativum).

Name some root crops and their scientific names.

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas); Cassava (Manihot esculenta); Radish (Raphanus sativus); Yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus); Purple yam (Dioscorea alata).

Name some stem crops and their scientific name.

Asparagus officinalis; Sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum).

Name some leafy vegetables and their scientific names.

Kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica); Lettuce (Lactuca sativa); Malunggay (Moringa oleifera); Mustasa (Brassica juncea); Petsay (Brassica rapa); Repolyo (Brassica oleracea); Saluyot (Corchorus olitorius).

List examples of lumber plants.

Apitong (Dipterocarpus grandiflorus); Buko (Cocos nucifera); Buri (Corypha utan); Kawayan (Bambusa blumeana); Lauan (Shorea negrosensis); Molave (Vitex parviflora); Narra (Pterocarpus indicus); Nipa (Nypa frusticans); Rattan (Calamus rotang); Yakal (Hopea cuminata).

Name fiber plants listed.

Abaca (Musa textilis); Bulak (Gossypium hirsutum); Maguey/Century Plant (Agave spp.); Ramie (Boehmeria nivea).

Name condiments listed.

Atsuete (Bixa orellana); Bawang (Allium sativum); Luya (Zingiber officinale); Paminta (Piper nigrum); Sibuyas (Allium cepa).

What are the fields of Botany included in 1.6?

Plant Pathology, Plant Ecology, Palaeobotany, Archaeobotany, Forensic Botany.

What is Plant Pathology?

The study of organisms and environmental conditions that cause disease in plants, the mechanisms, interactions, and methods of managing or controlling plant disease.

What is Plant Ecology?

The study of how plants interact with their environment, soils, other species, and ecological changes at landscape scales.

What is Paleobotany?

The study of extinct or fossilized plants recovered from geological strata.

What is Archaeobotany?

The study of remains of plants cultivated or used by people in ancient times, found in archaeological contexts.

What is Forensic Botany?

Use of plants or plant parts (pollen, seeds, leaves, flowers, wood) to investigate criminal cases or determine cause of death or location.

What reference book is cited for this course material?

Botany: An Introduction to Plant Biology, 5th Edition by James F. Mauseth.