Plants & Human Affairs - Introduction

Plants & Human Affairs (BIOL106) - Stephen G. Saupe, Ph.D.; Biology Department, College of St. Benedict/St. John's University, Collegeville, MN 56321; ssaupe@csbsju.edu; http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/ssaupe

Private Lives of Plants: Volume 1 (Branching Out)

Why was it necessary for plants to evolve mechanisms of seed dispersal? (hint: consider the plant way of life notes)
What is a runner? Give an example.
Matching: Match each of the following with its method of seed dispersal.

a. air/wind d. raindrop
b. explosive/mechanical e. water
c. animal

_____ tumbleweed
_____ earthstar fungus
_____ dandelion

_____ maple
_____ squirting cucumber
_____ sea bean

_____ durian
_____ acacia pods
_____ Brazil nuts

Identify at least two different adaptations that plants have evolved in order to utilize animals to disseminate fruits/seeds. Give an example of each type of dispersal mechanism.
In what way can fire be an advantage to plant dispersal?
True or False (circle): The flesh of a fruit like a cherry, peach, and apple provides nutrition for the seed when it germinates. (if the statement is false, correct the statement and indicate why it is wrong)
Thought Question: How are the fruits of hedge apple (osage orange) dispersed? Outline an experiment you could conduct or evidence that you would collect to test your hypothesis.
Thought Question: Which of the following plants would you most likely expect fruits/seeds to be dispersed by wind: herb in the prairie, tree in a rainforest, herb on the floor of a deciduous forest? Explain the rational for your answer. Then, outline an experiment you could conduct or evidence that you would collect to test your hypothesis.
Thought Question: True or False. Plants on islands have evolved well-developed mechanism for long distance dispersal of seeds/fruits. Explain the rationale for your response.
What was your favorite plant in today�s video. Why?