BOTANY 130 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Fertile Crescent, Selective Breeding, Achene
Document Summary
Homo sapiens evolved about 200,000 years ago and agriculture began 12,000 years ago in the fertile crescent. Plant domestication: humans selectively plant seeds from individuals that show desired traits: involves artificial selection, cereals (grains) were the first domesticated crops. The 6 centers of plant domestication: middle east center. The ancestor to maize or corn is called teosinte. Bryophytes: non-vascular seedless plants that include: liverworts, hornworts, mosses. Characteristics: flagellated sperm, conspicuous gametophyte generation, reproductive events coordinated with moist periods, cuticle to prevent water loss, gametangia and zygote protected by layer of cells, production of spores for dispersal. Double fertilization: double cell to form the zygote, while the other fuses with the two polar nuclei that form the endosperm. Occurs in angiosperms. fertilization involves two sperm cells; one fertilizes the egg. The primary function of flowers is reproduction and to attract specific pollinators. Colors, smell, nectar and fruits are different characteristics to attract specific pollinators.
