BIOS Instant Notes in Plant Biology

The second edition of Instant Notes in Plant Biology, has been both updated and reorganized and gives an insight into the whole of plant science, integrating structure, function and physiology. A major addition is the section on understanding plants which introduces the major techniques in plant science and shows how advances are made. Molecular techniques are used in all areas of plant science and are included throughout.

A: Introduction B: Understanding plants (methods in plant biology) - Model plants; Mutants, transgenic plants and molecular techniques; Studying plant origins and classification; Understanding plants in their communities C: Plant Cells - The plant cell; The cell wall; Plastids and mitochondria; Membranes; Nucleus and genome; Cell division D:Vegetative anatomy - Meristems and primary tissues; Roots; Herbaceous stems and primary growth; Woody stems and secondary growth; Leaves E: Plants, water and mineral nutrition - Plants and water; Water retention and stomata; Movement of nutrient ions across membranes; Uptake of mineral nutrients by plants; Functions of mineral nutrients F: Metabolism - Photosynthetic pigments and the nature of light; Major reactions of photosynthesis; C3 and C4 plants and CAM; Respiration and carbohydrate metabolism; Amino acid, lipid, polysaccharide and secondary product metabolism G: Reproductive biology - The flower; Pollen and ovules; Breeding systems; Self incompatibility; Ecology of flowering and pollination H: Seeds and fruits - The seed; Fruits; Seed development, dormancy and germination; Seed ecology; Regeneration and establishment I: Sensing and responding to the environment - Phytochrome, photoperiodism and photomorphogenesis; Tropisms; Nastic responses; Abscission; Stress avoidance and adaptation J: Growth and development - Features of growth and development; Biochemistry of growth regulation; Molecular action of hormones and intracellular messengers; Physiology of floral initiation and development K: Plant genetic engineering and biotechnology - Plant breeding; Plant cell and tissue culture; Plant genetic engineering L: Plant communities and populations - Physical factors and plant distribution; Plant communities; Ecology of different growth forms; Populations; Polymorphisms and population genetics; Contributions to carbon balance and atmosphere M: Interactions between plants and other organisms - Mycorrhiza; Nitrogen fixation; Interactions between plants and animals; Fungal pathogens and endophytes; Bacteria, mycoplasma, viruses and heterokonts; Parasites and saprophytes; Carnivorous plants N: Human uses of plants - Plants as food; Plants for construction; Plants in medicine; Plants for other uses; Bioremediation O: Plant diversity - Diversity and life cycles; The algae; The bryophytes; Reproduction in bryophytes P: Spore-bearing vascular plants - Early evolution of vascular plants; Clubmosses and horsetails; The ferns; Evolution of the seed Q: Seed plants - Early seed plants; Conifers; Cycads, gingko and Gnetales; Evolution of flowering plants; Mechanisms of evolution