Botany

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= = Did you know that there is an entire branch of science that focuses on just plants? It is called **Botany**, the scientific study of plants, fungi, and algae. Botanists focus on varied subjects that branch off their main scientific study//.// This type of science focuses on structure, growth, reprodutcion, metabolism, development, and lastly, diseases of plants. There are several different types of botanists who study different things about plants. Their studies range between the different biology of different plants. Plants are living things; they grow, feed, and react to their different environments. Scientists study them to learn how we can assist them in helping us and our world. This study satiates not only the curiosity of people with aspirations in the career of plant life but it also answers many questions that evolve around the subject of human health, the number of earth's infinite resources, fuel, and even our very existence. Today we even depend on plants just to get our message of saving plants across; you know paper. Botany conserns the oxygen intake, medicine, and fuel structures of our dependent world. This subject may simply seem unimportant but without plant life we would cease to exist in our give-and-take community between us and the botanical realm. **Types of Botanical Science**


Some botanists study how plants interact with other organisms. Other botantists study how plants grow under harsh conditions. Many use microscopes to study the cells and structure of plants. People even spend time studying the structure of a single cell of plants. Some study how certain pollutants affect different plants. All of these botanists are discovering interesting new things about plants. There are many things that have to do with botany other than the obvious. They can help us and our world progress but in order for that to occur we have to help their world. Different plants need different things and the more we know, the more it contributes to the cause. This cause isn't just about flowers and trees though. There is a variation of different life that has all different purposes. Photosynthesis, growth patterns, and reactions to different chemicals, environments, and surroundings can predict the outcome of how they continue to make necesary resources that we use everyday. Plants serve their purpose as food, fuel, medicine, and home decor but they have a much deeper meaning than just that. Botanists study plant


 * A Career in Botany**

Scientists study botany for a variety of reasons. Botanical research can improve our medicines and foods today. It can help increase our building materials, help solve pollution problems, and more. Many botanists work to conserve plants in places like the rainforests. There are a number of different fields a person can enter to study botany. Usually, people who enjoy the outdoors enter a career like botany. Depending on your place in botany, your salary can range from 33,000 dollars to 150,000 dollars. According to the Botanical Society of America if you are planning to pursue a career in botany you should take courses in English, math, chemistry, physics, biology, and language (foreign). Maybe even working in some jobs that involve plant care, working with landscapers, florists, and gardener's could help with your plant experience depending on what you would like to focus on in botany. Most college's will offer you forestry, and environmental classes as well as the essential ones just listed.

**History of Botany**

The founder of botany is thought to be an ancient Greek scientist, **Theophrastus**, who lived between the years of 372 and 287 B.C. He wrote two books called //The Natural History of Plants and About the Reasons of Vegetable Growth//. He was followed by many more botanists, including botanists like Leonhard Fuchs and William Turner. Another scientist, John Ray, made many advances in botany and zoology. Before these scientists introduced botany as a main study, there were others who peaked the interest of plants to others and made their own discoveries The first signs of plant acknowledgement or study for found in the writings of Homer in the Old Testament from Babylon [|.] Empedocles from Agrient was another Greek philosopher who tried to figure out whether or not plants had a soul like that of humans because he obviously realized they were alive. Aristotle had a similar discovery to be made; he tried to find out if plants were animate or inanimate. The Romans were aware of 1300 – 1400 species of plants. Dioskoride characterized 500 different types of plants. Hildegard von Bingen was a woman who wrote about the description of plants, nature, and animals. She described its appearance and it medicinal use according to Kristina Lerman.  **Current Research**

One of the most recent fields in botany today is biotechnology. Biotechnology (according to the [|Merriam-Webster] Online Dictionary) allows scientists to use the components of a plant to produce commercial products, such as pest-resistant products for crops. Another topic botanists are researching are the cell membranes of plants.


 * Schooling**

The Clemson University specializes in agriculture, forestry, and life sciences. The State University of New Jersey mainly focuses on only plant biology. Miami University Graduate School (Department of Botany), Smith College, Humboldt State University, Western New Mexico University (Department of Natural Sciences), and the Ohio University all specialize in botany as well. The Kansas State University’s main focuses are Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Grain Science and Industry, Horticulture, Forestry, Forestry, Recreation Resources, and Plant Pathology. Finally, the Oregon State University  is a school that lets their students study Agricultural Sciences, Forestry, Plant Biology, Pathology, and Ecology. People who are planning to pursue a career in botany might want to take the following courses: biology, chemistry, mathematics, foreign language, and physics. Also, if a scientist wants to learn further more on the subject they might do lab work, work in plant nurseries and gardens, or even as a florist or landscapist. Botanists who plan on working nationally usually take social studies or humanities classes as well.



=** Bibliography :**= "What is Botany." 3 March 2009. <[]> Sengbusch, Peter. "Botany Online: History." 6 March 2009. <[]> Richman, Vita."Botany- History of Botany." 11 March 2009. <[]> "Requirements for a Career in Botany." 11 March 2009. <[]> <[]> <[]> <[]> (Header created by Alex T.)
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//Wiki created by Renick H. and Alex T.//