Student View Instructor View Information Center Home ... PageOut Introductory Plant Biology, 9/e Kingsley R. Stern, California State University, Chico Preface This book is designed as an introductory text in botany. It assumes little knowledge of the sciences on the part of the student. It includes sufficient information for some shorter introductory botany courses open to both majors and nonmajors, but it is arranged so that certain sections-for example, "Soils," "Molecular Genetics," "Division Psilotophyta"-can be omitted without disrupting the overall continuity of the course. Botany instructors vary greatly in their opinions concerning the depth of coverage needed for the topics of photosynthesis and respiration in a text of this type. Some feel that nonmajors, in particular, should have a brief introduction only, while others consider a more detailed discussion essential. In this text, photosynthesis and respiration are discussed at three levels. Some may find one or two levels sufficient, and others may wish their students to become familiar with the processes at all three levels. Organization of the Text Aids to the Reader A chapter outline, review questions, discussion questions, and additional reading lists are provided for each chapter. New terms are defined as they are introduced, and those used more than once are boldfaced and included in a pronunciation glossary. The use of the scientific names throughout the body of the text has been held to a minimum, but a list of the scientific names of all organisms mentioned is given in Appendix 1. Appendix 2 deals with biological controls and companion planting; Appendix 3 lists wild edible plants, poisonous plants, medicinal plants, hallucinogenic plants, spices, tropical fruits, and natural dye plants. Appendix 4 gives horticultural information on houseplants; and information on the cultivation and nutritional value of vegetables is also included. Appendix 5 provides metric equivalents. | |
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