BIOLOGY
104-- PLANTS AND CIVILIZATION-- Spring
| Instructor:
Office: Office Hours:
Email: |
Jonathan Dey
Natural Science Center, Room C108C, Illinois Wesleyan University To be announced. 556-3057 (If you don't reach me, leave a message and call again.) |
PLANTS AND CIVILIZATION (http://sun.iwu.edu/~jdey/bio104.html)
This course includes both a broad introduction (1) to the biology of plants including their structure, anatomy metabolism, vegetative reproduction, and sexual reproduction, and (2) to the importance and usefulness of plants and plant products to humans. Issues related to modern agriculture and genetically modified crops will be discussed.
| WEEK | LECTURE (&
web links) TuTh (9:25-10:40 am) |
REQUIRED READINGS IN SIMPSON |
| January 13 | Plant classification; Plant cell structure |
32-39 |
| Jan. 18 | Primary growth and the anatomy of roots,
stems, and leaves; Secondary growth in stems |
1-11 155-162 |
| Jan. 25 | Useful plant cell wall materials: wood
and fiber; Plant metabolism I --photosynthesis |
378-398; 355-371 |
| February 1 | Plant metabolism II --glycolysis & respiration; HOUR TEST (Th) |
|
| Feb. 8 | Plant metabolism III --important biosynthetic pathways; Useful plant cell extractives I --herbs, spices and perfumes |
192-217 |
| Feb. 15 | Useful plant cell extractives II --vegetable oils, fats & waxes plus hydrogels, latex & resins Useful plant cell extractives III --medicinals, drugs & poisons |
218-261 262-312 |
| Feb. 22 | Sexual reproduction in plants --mitosis, meiosis; fruits and seeds Mendelian genetics; Plant propagation: sexual and asexual |
12-20 21-26 |
| Feb 29 | Origins of cultivated plants; HOUR TEST (Th) |
40-52 |
| March 14 | Methods of crop
improvement I --plant breeding and selection: corn and wheat examples; Plants used for food I --cereals and underground storage organs as carbohydrate sources |
26-31 107-135 180-191 |
| Mar. 21 | Plants used for food II --legumes, a source of protein; Plants used for food III --vegetables |
136-154 162-179 |
| Mar. 28 | Plants used for beverages I --coffee, tea & cacao; Plants used for beverages II --beer, wine & spirits |
313-331 332-354 |
| April 4 | HOUR TEST (Tu) Methods of crop improvement II --genetic engineering |
|
| April 11 | Issues concerning genetically engineered
crops; "Seeds for Tomorrow" |
|
| April 18 | Student presentations | |
| April 25 | Student
presentations; Green Revolution and the future |
458-478 |
| April 28 | FINAL EXAM (F) 8-10 AM |
Group reports:
SE United States farming and harvest (tobacco,
peanuts, cotton, sugar cane)
West African farming and harvest (cassava, cacao, oil palm,
red/green
peppers)
Andes farming and harvest (white potatoes, tomatoes, quinine,
coffee)
Malaysian/Indonesian farming and harvest (coconut palms,
pineapples,
rice, tea)
Italian farming and harvest (olives, almonds, grapes,
artichokes)
Brazilian farming and harvest (soybeans, papayas, cashews,
rubber)
Economic Botany--Plants in Our World, 3rd
ed.,
by Beryl Simpson & Molly Ogorzaly, McGraw-Hill, Inc. 2001
GRADES:
There will be four hour tests [80 points each], annotated bibliography [20 points], polished written draft of oral presentation of library research [40 points], final written draft of oral presentation [20 points], oral presentation [30 points], class citizenship [participation & group work--50 points] totaling 480 points. Attendance at all class sessions and tests is required.
Required at all tests and all lecture/discussion classes. Unexcused absences at tests will result in a score of zero for each test missed. Each unexcused absence from regular class will result in a twenty point deduction from your semester total. Lectures will begin promptly at the assigned time. Tardiness will also affect your grade. The only person who can excuse you from a test or a class session is Dr. Dey. If you have a problem, try to contact him before missing class. All assignments are due before lecture begins on the various due dates.
The above schedule of lectures and tests are unlikely to change. Dr. Dey retains the right to make modifications, any changes will be announced in lecture.
LINKS: