Prep notes for Sept 21, 2004: whole-plant form
A lot of this week's concepts and questions aren't in the book. Some are,
and you should read up on meristems, apical dominance, and stems in
general. As for the other stuff, explore other resources and think deep
and wide about the ecological and physiological consequences of height,
branchiness, etc.
Concepts: form and function, size, light extinction, competition,
height,
biomechanics, meristem, apical dominance, determinate and indeterminate
growth
Questions:
- What are some different ways to describe plant size?
- What physiological challenges are faced by a very tall tree?
- What fitness benefits are conferred by height?
- Given the costs and benefits, where and when should you expect to find
tall plants? Where and when should you find only short plants?
- What costs and benefits are conferred by branchiness?
- Is greater size always (more or less) positively associated with
greater fitness?
Last updated by Ted
Wong, 9/14/2004