scholarly journals Under the Scope: Microscopy Techniques to Visualize Plant Anatomy & Measure Structures

2020 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 257-260
Author(s):  
Alyssa M. Koehler ◽  
Maximo T. Larkin ◽  
H. David Shew
Keyword(s):  
Plant Material ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
Plant Anatomy ◽  
Microscope Slide ◽  
Science Courses ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Introductory Science ◽  
Microscopy Techniques

Microscopy and stained specimens engage students visually as they learn about plant anatomy, a topic covered in many biology and introductory science courses. In this activity, students section plant material and prepare specimens to view under a brightfield microscope. Using a camera or cell phone, images of microscope slide contents allow students to label plant parts and engage in discussions with peers. The addition of scale bars to their images will allow a better understanding of the relationships of the various structures observed in the functioning of plants.

Ratio of plant to soil concentrations of strontium-85 and its relation to properties of Greek soils

1991 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. P. Papanicolaou ◽  
C. G. Apostolakis ◽  
V. Skarlou ◽  
C. Nobeli ◽  
P. Kritidis
Keyword(s):  
Cation Exchange ◽  
Cation Exchange Capacity ◽  
Plant Material ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Absolute Value ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Stems And Leaves ◽  
Lower Variability ◽  
Edible Parts

SUMMARYPlant:soil ratios (CRs) of 85Sr concentration were studied in wheat, lucerne, lettuce, radish, string bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), and cucumber grown in pots in eight Greek soil types in a glasshouse pot experiment in 1989.The CRs of the crops and of the plant parts studied differed according to soil type. They ranged from 0·034–1·39 for wheat grains to 7·6–36·5 for cucumber stems and leaves. The CRs of the edible parts were much lower than those of the other plant material.The correlation between CRs and clay content was negative and, in most cases, significant (P = 0·05–0·01) or highly significant (P < 0·01). The negative correlation improved (higher absolute value of r, lower variability) if clay plus silt content or cation exchange capacity was used instead of clay content.The correlation between CRs and soil properties was greatest for soil pH (r = –0·89) and decreased in the order: pH > total clay plus silt ≃ cation exchange capacity > total clay.

Showing up: The Importance of Class Attendance for Academic Success in Introductory Science Courses

2003 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 325-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randy Moore ◽  
Murray Jensen ◽  
Jay Hatch ◽  
Irene Duranczyk ◽  
Susan Staats ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Success ◽  
Science Courses ◽  
Class Attendance ◽  
Introductory Science

Flipped classroom modules for large enrollment general chemistry courses: a low barrier approach to increase active learning and improve student grades

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 197-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack F. Eichler ◽  
Junelyn Peeples
Keyword(s):  
General Chemistry ◽  
Active Learning ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Flipped Classroom ◽  
Student Response ◽  
Collaborative Group ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Science Courses ◽  
Introductory Science ◽  
Large Enrollment

In the face of mounting evidence revealing active learning approaches result in improved student learning outcomes compared to traditional passive lecturing, there is a growing need to change the way instructors teach large introductory science courses. However, a large proportion of STEM faculty continues to use traditional instructor-centered lectures in their classrooms. In an effort to create a low barrier approach for the implementation of active learning pedagogies in introductory science courses, flipped classroom modules for large enrollment general chemistry course sequence have been created. Herein is described how student response systems (clickers) and problem-based case studies have been used to increase student engagement, and how flipped classroom modules have integrated these case studies as collaborative group problem solving activities in 250–500 seat lecture halls. Preliminary evaluation efforts found the flipped classroom modules provided convenient access to learning materials that increased the use of active learning in lecture and resulted in a significant improvement in the course grade point average (GPA) compared to a non-flipped class. These results suggest this approach to implementing a flipped classroom can act as a model for integrating active learning into large enrollment introductory chemistry courses that yields successful outcomes.

Decomposition of plant material in Australian soils. II. Residual organic 14C and 15N from legume plant parts decomposing under field and laboratory conditions

Soil Research ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Amato ◽  
RB Jackson ◽  
JHA Butler ◽  
JN Ladd
Keyword(s):  
Plant Material ◽  
Calcareous Soil ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Drying And Rewetting ◽  
Legume Plant ◽  
Medicago Littoralis ◽  
Average Residual ◽  
Medicago Species ◽  
Field And Laboratory Conditions

14C- and 12N-labelled Medicago littoralis and Medicago truncatula plant parts, ground or unground, were added at a rate equivalent to 50 kg nitrogen ha-l to a calcareous soil in the field and allowed to decompose for two years. Both plant types behaved similarly but the various plant parts decomposed to different extents. After 4 weeks' and 2 years' decomposition respectively, the residual organic 14C in soil from leaves of both Medicago species accounted for about 62% and 20% of input, from stems 70% and 24% and from roots 80% and 32%. Average residual organic 15N accounted for 64% and 40% of leaf 15N, 87% and 56% of stem and 81% and 50% of root 15N. Grinding had no effect on the residual 14C and 15N of plant parts. After 2 years' decomposition the proportion of residual and 15N present as labelled biomass was greatest for leaf residues. Results from laboratory studies of 20 weeks' decomposition of ground and unground Medicago littoralis plant parts under continuously moist and intermittently dry and rewetting conditions were consistent with field results. Grinding significantly promoted pod decomposition under most incubation conditions. Drying and rewetting promoted decomposition of the plant parts. Pods were affected more than other parts. The longer the time moist following drying, the greater the decomposition. The more frequent the drying and wetting cycles, the greater the decomposition.

scholarly journals Overwintering Diseased Plant Parts and Newly Infected Flowers and Fruit as Sources of Inoculum for Colletotrichum acutatum in Sour Cherry

Plant Disease ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 101 (7) ◽  
pp. 1207-1213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arne Stensvand ◽  
Jorunn Børve ◽  
Venche Talgø
Keyword(s):  
Plant Material ◽  
Infected Plant ◽  
Sour Cherry ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Tissue Type ◽  
Colletotrichum Acutatum ◽  
Diseased Plant ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Southern Norway

Production of inoculum of Colletotrichum acutatum from both previously infected and overwintered tissue, as well as newly developed plant tissue of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus), was studied in southern Norway. Plant parts were sampled from commercial, private, or research orchards, and incubated for 2 to 14 days (time depended on tissue type) in saturated air at 20°C. In early spring, abundant sporulation was found on scales of overwintered buds and shoots. A mean of 35% infected buds in four cultivars was observed, with a maximum of 72% of the buds infected in one of the samples. Over 3 years, the seasonal production of overwintered fruit and peduncles of cv. Fanal infected the previous year was investigated. In all three years, the infected plant material was placed in the trees throughout the winter and the following growing season; in two of the years, fruit and peduncles were also placed on the ground in the autumn or the following spring. Old fruit and peduncles formed conidia throughout the season, with a peak in May and June. Spore numbers declined over the season, but the decline was more rapid for plant material on the ground than in the trees. On average over 2 years, 68.7, 24.0, or 7.3% of the inoculum came from fruit placed in the trees, placed on the ground in spring, or placed on the ground the preceding autumn, respectively. The number of fruit and peduncles attached to the trees in a planting of cv. Hardangerkirsebær was followed from February to July one year, and although there was a decline over time, fruit and/or their peduncles were still attached in substantial numbers in July, thus illustrating their potential as sources of inoculum. In observations over 2 years in a heavily infected orchard of cv. Stevnsbær, 75 and 47% of flowers and newly emerged fruit, respectively, were infected. Artificially inoculated flowers and fruit produced conidia until harvest, with a peak in mid-July. It may be concluded that previously infected and overwintered, as well as newly emerged tissue of sour cherry, may serve as sources of inoculum of C. acutatum throughout the growing season.

scholarly journals Engaging Children with Herbarium Specimens at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew’s Science Festival

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. e25933
Author(s):  
Melissa Bavington
Keyword(s):  
Plant Material ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Specimen Preparation ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Herbarium Collection ◽  
Herbarium Sheet ◽  
Royal Botanic Gardens

The Kew and Wakehurst Science Festivals consists of five days of activities over two weekends. Workshops and tours allow visitors to engage with the scientists and their research. We designed an interactive experience, so children could understand what a herbarium sheet is and the process of making one. The Herbarium accessions an average of 30,000 specimens per year and because specimens need to have a long life and be able to withstand being handled for hundreds of years they need to be ‘mounted’ according to strict protocols and guidelines. Botanical specimens are vital to research at Kew and beyond, providing key scientific data. Once mounted onto herbarium sheets botanical specimens are added to the Herbarium and made widely available to visiting scientists and researchers. Digitising these specimens increases access further through online portals. To achieve a specimen that can be handled for many years the specimens are mounted onto archival paper, along with their labels, before being added to the collection. There are 6 members in RBG Kew’s Specimen Preparation team who work full time to prepare botanical specimens for accession into the Herbarium collection; which currently stands at 7 million specimens and the oldest dates from the 1700s. We simplified this specimen preparation process down to the basic component parts of paper, glue, plant material and pressing. Using material and tools that visitors would be able to find for themselves; art paper, child friendly glue and plant material used in flower crafts we created a hands-on experience for mounting a herbarium specimen. The Science Festival is now in its 3rd year and each year the activity has been modified based on lessons learned over the course of the festival and each year. The stall is immensely popular going from 300 participants in the first year to over 700 in 2017. In the second year we added a new dimension and allowed visitors to image the specimens they created allowing them to zoom in and see plant parts and structures in further detail to highlight the importance of digitisation. These images can be viewed on the Kew Science Flickr group.

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