Biology 206 – General Botany
Fall 2011
"Botany I rank with the most valuable sciences, whether we consider its
subjects as furnishing the principal subsistence of life to man and beast,
delicious varieties for our tables, refreshments from our orchards, the
adornments of our flower borders, shade and perfume of our groves,
materials for our buildings, or medicaments for our bodies."
-Thomas Jefferson
Instructor information
Dr. Ross A. McCauley
Office: 447 Berndt Hall
Office phone: 970-247-7338
E-mail: mccauley_r@fortlewis.edu
Webpage: http://faculty.fortlewis.edu/mccauley_r/index.html
Office hours: M, W, F 11:15 am-12:10 pm, R 9:05 am-12:10 pm and by appointment
Course information
Meeting time and place: Lecture MWF 10:10-11:05 a.m., 440 Berndt Hall; Lab T 8:00-11:00 a.m., 440 Berndt Hall
Required text:
Nabors, M.W. 2004. Introduction to Botany. Pearson/Benjamin Cummings: San Francisco, CA.
Course Website: http://moodle.fortlewis.edu
The course website contains all of the course lecture materials and copies of all labs and some assignments as well
as updates to the schedule. I will also upload at the appropriate time review sheets for all exams approximately
one week before the exam. Additionally you will find various resources and internet links for botany that I feel
are interesting and relevant to our course content. A “Unique Plants” and a “Botanical Questions” blog associated
with Moodle will be filled by all of you during the semester (see specific requirements below).
Prerequisites: BIO 113
Course Description:
In General Botany we will focus on understanding the structure, function, and diversity of plants. The first part of the
course will focus on the functional connections among higher plant anatomy, morphology and physiology. The later part
will constitute an evolutionary survey of the plant kingdom from its origins in the green algae and continuing through the
bryophytes, ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms, focusing on the diversity in each group and the comparisons of life
history traits among them.
Secondarily we will be working to expand your skills as a scientist, particularly those toward interpreting, writing and
researching scientific material and your presentation and statistical analysis of original data.
Objectives:
1. Be able to identify the unique cellular structures of plants.
2. Understand plant metabolism, particularly photosynthesis
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between plant tissues and plant growth.
4. Understand the diversity present within the plant kingdom and be able to discuss evolutionary trends among the
various groups.
5. Understand the concept of alternation of generations and how this relates to evolution of major plant groups.
6. Understand life cycles and the concept of homology.
7. Gain an appreciation for the complexity, diversity, and functionality of plants.
8. Make connections between basic plant science and modern issues of invasive species, global change,
biotechnology, biodiversity, etc.
Course Evaluation
Grades will be determined through a mix of tests, assignments and a research lab report and will be distributed roughly as:
Exams (5 @ 75 pts. each)
375 pts.
Quizzes (4 @ 20 pts each)
80
Lab Reports (4 @ 75 pts each)
300
Other (Blogs, Presentation, Homework, Class Participation)
100
Total
≈855
Your grade will mostly be a sum of the earned points you have accrued throughout the semester with the following
exceptions. I will drop the single lowest quiz score and replace that with the highest. Thus if you get a 40% on one quiz at
anytime and a 100% on another quiz at some other time, the 40% will be replaced by a 100%. There will be no make-up
quizzes. So if you miss a quiz you will receive a 0% which will then become your lowest quiz score. Make-up lecture
exams may be scheduled within 5 days of the original exam date ONLY in the case of a legitimate absence. If you miss an
exam for a legitimate reason and are unable to make up the exam within 5 days the score on the final exam will be
substituted for the missed exam score. Legitimate absences will include any absence with a letter documenting that
absence from the appropriate college official, be a documented medical excuse, or be a documented religious observance.
If you miss for an illegitimate reason then you will receive a zero for that particular exam.
Extra credit will be available on a limited basis and will be awarded for attendance at seminars sponsored by the Biology
Department. I will announce any such opportunities at the appropriate time.
Specific Requirements
Lecture exams: We will have four in-class exams and a final. Exams will mostly include material covered since the last
exam. That said it is quite possible that later exams will include some material from earlier sections as we build on more
complex topics. All exams will be a mix of multiple choice, short answer, diagrams, and essay questions. The final will
cover material from the last two weeks of class plus have a small comprehensive portion.
Lecture quizzes: We will have four small quizzes during the term. These will serve to focus your attention on a subset of
material which is rather technically dense.
Research Papers in Botany: Throughout the semester we will read and discuss four original research or review articles
in varying sub-disciplines of botany. We will dedicate a class period to discuss the research problem, the methodology
used by the researchers, and the results and implications of those results. In many instances we will use the research to
introduce some key concepts and areas of work in plant biology and illicit discussion about those topics. The articles will
be available on Moodle prior to our discussion class and you will be expected to have fully read the article prior to the
class meeting and be prepared to be called on to describe various aspects of the research. Topics from these papers will be
included on exams.
Moodle Blogs:
Unique plant write up/presentation: You will each be assigned one “unique plant” which you have to research. You
will be required to upload the findings of your research to the Unique Plants Blog in Moodle. Specifically you will need
to say what makes this particular plant special. It may be a unique physiological mechanism, a reproductive mechanism,
etc. To do this you will need to add a discussion topic for your individual plant. If someone disagrees or knows
something else about your plant they will be able to comment on this topic. I’ve provided an initial entry on one plant to
show you the general level of detail required. Additionally you will need to prepare a short presentation (5 minutes) using
PowerPoint to give to the class regarding your plant. This would ideally be a little more detailed than your blog entry.
There will be two designated class periods for these presentations and your personal presentation time will be on a firstcome first-serve basis.
Botanical questions:
This second class blog will give you a forum to ask about anything related to botany and plants that you want. As a class
we can all respond with answers or further insight to helping resolve the question. Ask appropriate questions. Off the wall
is ok, there might be an answer for it. Let’s please refrain however from asking advice for best marijuana grow lights. I
will be moderating this and providing some answers and/or insight if needed. Every student will be required to post at
least once to this blog and more postings will be averaged into your class participation grade. Note however that regular
blog posts will not be sufficient to replace missed exams or lab reports.
Lab Information:
The lab in this course will serve to supplement and provide hands-on experience with botanical concepts or processes and
organisms. These labs will vary from descriptive to experimental in nature. Some topics will only be covered in lab
while others will be covered in both lecture and lab. For the descriptive labs you will be required to observe samples,
make sketches, and/or answer questions regarding the activities which will be turned in at the end of lab. Other
experimental labs will require your preparation of short laboratory reports.
Lab reports: You will be required to turn in four short written laboratory reports during the semester. These will be
written in the traditional format of a scientific journal article including discrete sections for introduction, methods, results,
discussion, and literature cited. These will be required for our labs on Phenotypic Plasticity, Hormone-induced
parthenocarpy in Brassica rapa, Photosynthetic response of plants to varying levels of atmospheric CO2 enrichment and
the Phylogenetic Reconstruction of Plant Evolution. I will provide specific requirements for these write-ups later.
Additional Study Resources:
A companion website for our textbook is available at http://www.botanyplace.com using the access key provided in the
text. There will be additional internet study resources posted on Moodle.
Other Course policies
Academic Integrity:
I expect all students to uphold the highest standards of academic honesty in all exams and assignments. Plagiarism in any
form will not be accepted and will at the least result in the loss of credit for the assignment in question and may result in
course failure and the filing of a formal report to the proper college authority. Remember, I know how to Google too - so
no cut-and-paste from the internet. Proper citation is always required.
Attendance:
While I do not take a daily role, regular attendance is expected – particularly if you want to do well. While I post much of
our class material on Moodle not all lectures or activities are easily converted to a digital format. If you know you are
going to miss class please let me know beforehand. If your absence results in your missing an exam, and is legitimate, the
aforementioned policy stands.
Classroom conduct:
While I hope it goes without saying, please respect the rights of myself and your fellow classmates. If you are late try not
to disturb everyone else. Additionally please leave mobile phones, pagers, iPods, etc, at home or turn them off and keep
them stowed during class. I will not allow texting or checking of messages on any electronic device during class time. If
this becomes a problem you will be asked to forfeit your device. Such activity is not only very disrespectful but also
interferes with your ability to learn.
Drops:
The college deadline for dropping this class for it not to appear on your transcript is census date, 13 September. Without
exceptional circumstances (ie. death in family, hospitalization, etc.) I will not assign a grade of “W” on a drop slip after
this date unless you are currently passing the course with a C or better.
Accommodations:
Students with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations to fully participate in course activities or meet course
requirements must register with the Disability Services Office. If you qualify for services through the Disability office,
bring your letter of accommodations to me as soon as possible so I can make the appropriate arrangements. Letters are
available through Dian Jenkins, Coordinator of Disability Services, 280 Noble Hall, 247-7459.
Tentative Lecture/Lab Schedule
Wk
1
2
Date
Topics
Section I:
Plant Structure: Anatomy, Morphology, Life Cycles
Aug. 29/31 Sept. 2
Lecture
 Introduction
 What makes plant cells unique? Plant Cell Structure
and Division
 Plant cell types: Parenchyma, Collenchyma,
Sclerenchyma
Lab
Phenotypic plasticity in tree canopy leaves I: Field work and
data collection
Sept. 5/7/9
Lecture Quiz
 Tissues and tissue systems: Ground, Dermal, and
Vascular
 Plant organography & primary growth
 Research paper I: Bennett, A. E., M. Thomsen, and
Reading
Plant Blindness
Chap. 1, 2, 3
Chap. 3,4
S.Y. Strauss. 2011. Multiple mechanisms enable
invasive species to suppress native species. American
Journal of Botany 98:1086-1094.
Lab
Phenotypic plasticity in tree canopy leaves II: Data analysis
and graphing.
3
Sept. 12/14/16
Lecture
 Plant organography & primary growth cont.
 Secondary growth
Exam I
Chap. 4,5
Lab
Examination of the primary and secondary plant body
4
Sept. 19/21/23
Lecture



The plant life cycle – alternation of generations
Reproduction: spores, seeds, and fruits
Plant breeding systems; Pollination syndromes
Chap. 6
Lab
Start plant life cycle experiment with Ceratopteris richardii
Hormone-induced parthenocarpy in Brassica rapa I:
Planting
5
Sept. 26/28/30
Lecture Quiz



Breeding systems cont; outcrossing, inbreeding,
apomixis and agamospermy
Video: Private Life of Plants “The Birds & The
Bees”
Research paper II: Temple, S. 1977. Plant-animal
Chap. 5, 7
Supplemental
reading
mutualism: Coevolution with Dodo leads to near
extinction of plant. Science 197:885-886.
Lab
6
Comparative plant reproductive processes
Plant Functions: Physiology, Growth and Development
Section II:
Oct. 3/5/7
Lecture


Photosynthesis I - nature of light
Photosynthesis II - structure/function relations
Chap. 8
Exam II
Lab
Comparison of C3 and C4 plants in a CO2 rich world
7
Oct. 10/12/14
Lecture



Photosynthesis III - C3, C4 & CAM
Transport processes: Piñon pine - juniper case study
Water transport: Xylem
Chap. 10
Lab
8
9
Ecophysiology of transpiration and stomatal conductance
Oct. 17/19/21
Lecture Quiz
 Carbohydrate translocation: Phloem
 Unique Plant presentations I
 Plant growth responses: Hormones and trophisms
Lab
Hormone-induced parthenocarpy in Brassica rapa II: Data
Collection
Oct. 24/26/28
Lecture
 Genetic control of development
 Research paper III: Nassar, N. and R. Ortiz. 2010.
Chap. 10
Chap. 13
Breeding cassava to feed the poor. Scientific American
302: 78-84.
Exam III
Lab
10
Section III:
Oct. 31/Nov. 2/4
Lecture
Video: The Botany of Desire
Evolution and Diversity
 History of plant classification and naming
 Evolution and classification of plants and plant-like
organisms
 Early evolution of land plants: algal origins
Chap. 16, 18
Lab
11
12
13
14
Plant phylogeny construction I: Morphological Data
Nov. 7/9/11
Lecture Quiz
 Bryophyta, Hepatophyta, Anthocerophyta
 Seedless vascular plants I: Early Evolution
 Seedless vascular plants II: Lycophyta, Psilotophyta
Lab
Plant phylogeny construction II: Chloroplast rbcL data
Nov. 14/16/18
Lecture
 Seedless vascular plants III: Sphenophyta,
Pteridophyta
 Unique plant presentations II
Exam IV
Lab
Bryophytes and seedless vascular plants
Thanksgiving Break!
Nov. 28/30 Dec.2
Lecture
 Gymnosperms I: Cycadophyta, Ginkgophyta,
Gnetophyta
 Gymnosperms II: Coniferophyta
 Video: “First Flower”
Chap. 20, 21
Chap. 21
Chap. 22, 23
Lab
Gymnosperms and Introduction to botanical keys
15
Dec. 5/7/9
Lecture



Intro to Anthophyta, Carpel, Angiosperm life cycle
revisited
Embryological development; gametophytes
Research paper IV: Scott A. Hodges, S. A. and M. L.
Arnold. 1995. Spurring Plant Diversification: Are Floral
Nectar Spurs a Key Innovation? Proceedings of the Royal
Society of London B: Biological Sciences 262: 343-348.
Lab
16
Dec. 14
Angiosperms: Understanding floral and fruit diversity
Final Exam 9:45 – 11:45 a.m.
Chap. 23