Plant Biology, Fruits, and Fungi Flashcards

Flashcards about plant biology, fruit types, and the roles of fungi, based on lecture notes from June 12, 2025.

Burning of Fossil Fuels and Seedless Vascular Plants

Extensive Devonian and Carboniferous forests of lycophytes and pterophytes removed atmospheric CO2 and may have contributed to global cooling.

Animal Dispersal of Seeds and Fruits

Animal-dispersed fruits and seeds can be dispersed externally (e.g., by burrs) or internally (after being eaten).

Ovules and Ovaries

Ovules become seeds, and ovaries become fruits.

Simple Fruit

Derived from one carpel or several fused carpels in one flower.

Berry

All layers of the fruit are fleshy (e.g., tomato, grape).

Drupe

Exocarp and mesocarp are fleshy, but the inner layer (endocarp) is hard (e.g., peach, apricot).

Dehiscent Fruit

Fruit splits open to release seeds (e.g., peas, peanuts, beans).

Indehiscent Fruit

Fruit does not split open to release seeds (e.g., true nuts like acorns).

Aggregate Fruit

Formed from a single flower that has multiple separate carpels (e.g., blackberries, strawberries, raspberries).

Multiple Fruit

Develops from the many carpels of many flowers in an inflorescence (e.g., pineapples, Jackfruit).

Human Domestication of Angiosperms

Began with barley and wheat in the Fertile Crescent ~13,000 years ago, leading to settlements and larger populations.

Four Largest Food Crops

Maize (corn), wheat, rice, and potatoes.

Artificial Selection

Angiosperm crops are the product of this, with new forms created from common ancestors via selective breeding.

Primary Metabolism

Contributes directly to plant growth and development (e.g., photosynthesis, cellular respiration).

Secondary Metabolism

Does not directly contribute to basic metabolism; may vary among taxonomic groups (e.g., oils, steroids, caffeine).

Peat Bogs

Wetland habitats with low O2, low pH, and low nutrients covering ~3% of Earth’s land surface.

Ecological importance of Peat Bogs

Important reservoir for organic carbon; helps reduce atmospheric CO2.

Economic importance of Peat Bogs

Used for fuel (especially in Ireland & Canada) and as a soil additive.

Peat bogs preserve ancient remains of anthropological importance, for example

The Tollund Man.

Harmful effects of Fungi

Fungi can produce toxic compounds that contaminate our food supply.

Fungi as a source of pharmaceutical drugs. Two examples are

Penicillin and Cyclosporin.

Commercial usefulness of Fungi

Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) used in bread, wine, and beer making.