INTRODUCTION 



PLANT BIOLOGY 



Botany may be divided into two branches : 



1. Morphology (Gr. morphe, form), which deals with 

 the form, structure, origin, and development of plant- 

 organs and their relations with one another. This branch 

 includes (a) external morphology, dealing with the out- 

 ward form of organs ; and (6) internal morphology, 

 dealing with the morphology of the minute cells and 

 tissues of which the organs are composed. 



2. Physiology (Gr. physis, nature, inherent qualities), 

 which deals with the functions of the organs. 



Thus we may consider a leaf with respect to its form, 

 size, and structure ; we may trace its origin and develop- 

 ment, and compare it with other leaves and organs. 

 This is examining the leaf morphologically. Or we may 

 direct our attention to the work or functions performed by 

 the leaf, its vital activities assimilation, transpiration, 

 respiration -and consider how the particular leaf under 

 notice performs them. This is looking at the leaf on the 

 physiological side. 



In dealing with the form and structure of any organ 

 it is important to associate its form with its function. 

 Variation of form means variation of function, if only in 

 degree. Thus, suppose we compare two leaves a holly- 

 leaf with a lime. They are very different. One is thick, 

 tough, shiny, and evergreen, and the main veins are con- 

 tinued as spines. The other is thin and deciduous. 

 But modification in form implies modification in function. 

 A green leaf has three main functions : it assimilates, it 

 transpires, it respires. Each of these functions is modified 

 as the form is modified, but which is the most important ? 

 On reference to p. 43, we see that the tough evergreen 



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